Who is covered by the collective agreements#

Primary principals covered by the agreements are:

• employed in state or state-integrated schools and kura
• members of the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI Te Riu Roa), or
• members of the Primary Principals' Collective Bargaining Union (PPCBU).

On 1 November 2024 the PPCBU and the Ministry agreed to vary the collective agreement.  The Primary Principals' (PPCBU) Collective Agreement has been amended accordingly.

Download the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement (PPCA-NZEI) and the Primary Principals' (PPCBU) Collective Agreement (PPCA-PPCBU).

Who is covered by the individual employment agreements#

Individual employment agreements (IEAs) are developed and published by us. The terms and conditions are similar to the collective agreements.

You need to sign an IEA if:

• your work is covered by either of the collective agreements, but
• you’re not a member of the NZEI Te Riu Roa or PPCBU.

Go to the NZEI and PPCBU individual employment agreements.

Pay and allowances#

Salary and additional payments are set out in part 5 of the collective agreements.

Allowances are listed in part 6.

Salary increases based on experience are outlined in part 4 of the agreements. This also covers funding for professional coaching and wellbeing support for principals' leadership roles.

Māori immersion and Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowances#

Details of the Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance are in:

• part 6.2.6 of the Primary Principals’ (NZEI Te Riu Roa) Collective Agreement
• part 6.2.6 of the Primary Principals’ (PPCBU) Collective Agreement.

Details of the Pacific Bilingual Immersion Teaching Allowance are in:

• part 6.2.10 of the Primary Principals’ (NZEI Te Riu Roa) Collective Agreement
• part 6.2.7 of the Primary Principals’ (PPCBU) Collective Agreement.

Staffing incentive allowance#

The allowance applies to primary principals employed in schools or kura identified by us as needing additional support for recruitment and retention.

See the list of eligible schools.

Isolation allowance#

Primary school principals are entitled to an isolation allowance if they are employed at a school or kura in a location deemed isolated.

The rate of the allowance will vary depending on the location. Part-time principals will receive the allowance on a pro-rata basis.

See the list of eligible primary schools.

Schools that are eligible for the above allowances may be changed by us up to once a year, after consultation with employee representatives. 

For more information, contact us. 
Email: [email protected]

Other entitlements#

We may approve different terms or conditions than those in principals' employment agreements such as additional pay, allowances or benefits.

Special terms or conditions for principals

More information#

EdPay has more information about salaries, allowances and other payments for primary principals.

A-Z of payroll – Education Payroll

Moving costs#

If you are moving to work at another school, you may be entitled to removal expenses. This is in appendix 2 of the collective agreements.

To apply for a lump sum payment or reimbursement of other expenses, complete the following forms.

Leave#

Leave entitlements are set out in part 7 of the collective agreements.

Disregarded sick leave#

Information about disregarded sick leave eligibility and the application form are below.

Resignation, dismissal and retirement#

Both you and your school must follow the correct processes and procedures to manage your resignation, dismissal or retirement.

This is set out in parts 8 and 10 of the collective agreements.

Medical retirement is also covered in appendix 5. To apply for medical retirement, fill in the below form.