On this page
About the scheme
The emergency staffing scheme (ESS) can help where you are unable to fill a principal vacancy and need cover. This scheme is available to state and state-integrated schools.
We fund the scheme and contract Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | New Zealand School Boards Association to administer it.
The board pays the principal's salary.
When a school can use the scheme
The placement is usually for a principal vacancy. A placement may be available when:
- an acting appointment from within the school is impossible or impracticable
- the board has made every effort to find a relief principal to cover the vacancy, including using local and regional resources
- support is required for up to 10 school weeks
- the emergency has arisen from a situation outside of the board's control.
How to access the scheme
Contact Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa in Wellington to speak with the ESS national coordinator.
Email: [email protected]
Freephone (NZ only): 0800 782 435
Paying the ESS principal's salary
If the role is vacant then the board becomes the ESS principal's employer. The board pays the salary from their teachers' salary funding, and the provisions of the relevant collective agreement apply. ESS principals are paid at the rate applicable to their qualifications and experience.
If the principal is covering long-term leave including sick leave, then the salary must be paid from operational funding. You can apply for additional relief teacher funding if eligible.
Additional relief teacher funding
Claiming expenses
ESS principals can be entitled to claim expenses when their placement is at least 20 km away from where they normally live.
The final date for expense claims from the previous year is 31 March.
Placements beyond 10 weeks must have prior approval
Placements beyond 10 school weeks or extensions to existing placements beyond 10 school weeks must have prior approval from us and Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa. They will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
If an extension is approved, we will cover accommodation costs during the term break if required. The daily meals and incidentals allowance will not be paid during the break.
