Becoming a teacher
Teaching is a rewarding profession where your work will make a real difference. Find guidance on becoming a teacher on this page.
Studying to be a teacher
Approved initial teacher education (ITE) programmes of study will lead you towards a teaching qualification. With a teaching qualification you can teach in New Zealand early childhood education centres, schools (primary, intermediate and secondary), or kura (Māori medium or immersion).
Your ITE programme will fully prepare you for your teaching career with a mix of curriculum, learning and pedagogical theory, professional studies, practicum experiences, and cultural studies.
The Education Workforce website can help you:
- find entry requirements to train as a teacher
- find Māori and Pacific teaching options
- explore financial support and scholarship opportunities.
Make sure you are studying an approved programme that is recognised by the Teaching Council for registration purposes.
See the list of approved Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes.
When you complete your ITE qualification you can apply to the Teaching Council for registration and a practising certificate.
For an introduction to the Teaching Council, watch this video that outlines your journey as a teacher and our core functions as your professional body.
ITE programme finder tool
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Teaching Council, have released an ITE programme finder tool filterable by several criteria (location, entry requirements, te reo Māori or English delivery, work while study, etc).
Kukari student teacher bulletin
Kukari is the Council’s bulletin for student teachers since 2022. We are calling it ‘Kukari’. We selected the name Kukari, or fledgling, because as Kukari you are taking your first steps towards the edge of the nest, ready to step off into the air for the first time. You do so with the knowledge and guidance from those who can already fly.
We have exciting plans to improve the initiation of student teachers into professional communication channels, for 2024, that will be announced soon. In the meantime, you can view previous editions below.
Kukari bulletin — October 2023
Kukari bulletin — September 2022
Finding a teaching job
Schools and early childhood services are responsible for employing their own staff. There is no central staffing agency and no government department responsible for teaching staff placement.
Teaching positions are advertised in a range of ways, including:
- Education Gazette Online - Ministry of Education's main source of teaching jobs
- ANZUK Education
- Auckland-based Oasis Education website
- Prospero Teaching - specialist recruitment company in education (ECE, primary, secondary and SEN) across the nation
- Ranstad Education - national supplier of teachers across New Zealand for full-time, contract, fixed term, and day to day relief
- Talk Recruitment - supports centres and schools with relievers, fixed term, and permanent recruitment solutions
- job websites such as Seek and Trade Me.