Thinking about teaching

Do you relate well to young people? Do you have a zest and enthusiasm for learning? Can you motivate others and be a leader?  Are you resilient and thrive on hard work? These are some questions to help you decide if a career in teaching is for you.  

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 TeachNZ 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. 

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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.

Read more about Kukari

Sign up for Kukari

Kukari bulletin — October 2023

Kukari bulletin  July 2023

Kukari bulletin — March 2023

Kukari bulletin — September 2022

Kukari bulletin — February 2022

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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:

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