Board Matters Term 3

Tēnā koutou katoa,

A warm welcome to Term 3, 2023.

Please note the Board Task Checklist included in this update which is intended to be helpful as possible as you work through your Term 3 meetings and work programme.

We have a series of upcoming professional learning and development events, which you can register for now using the link below.

Also included is key information relating to the primary principal and teachers’ collective agreements, and some of the new regulations affecting boards, such as school planning and reporting and the new Code of Conduct. 


Wishing you the very best for the term.

Ngā mihi nui,

Elise Adams
Chief Executive Officer



Your mahi for Term 3

Download our Board Task Checklist, which covers the tasks you’ll need to undertake during Term 3. 

Upcoming events and learning opportunities

We’re hosting the following events that may be of interest to you. 

  • Giving Effect to Te Tiriti of Waitangi Workshop series – Part 2.

  • School Planning and Reporting Webinar series – Parts 1 & 2.

  • School Planning and Reporting Workshops.

  • The Role of the Presiding Member Webinar series – Parts 3 & 4.

  • The Role of the Board Secretary Webinar.

  • The Board’s Role in Health, Safety & Wellbeing.

Click here to find out more about these events, and register today.

School planning and reporting

The Education (School Planning and Reporting) Regulations 2023 come into force on 1st August 2023.  

These new regulations strengthen the requirements of schools to actively engage with their school community when developing, evaluating, and reporting on their strategic and annual implementation plans.  The premise behind the changes is to move schools from a largely compliance focus to a living document ‘owned’ by its school community. 

These regulations are accompanied by a suite of supports and guidance from the Ministry of Education (MoE). 

You can also take a look at the Resource Centre for our guidance.

Review the new Code of Conduct for Board Members

The new Code of Conduct came into effect on 21 June 2023.  It sets out 15 minimum standards of conduct that all board members must now meet. If you haven’t already, ensure all board members know the minimum standards expected of them.  Take time to discuss how this will be reflected in your own school community context. Some boards may still like to get their members to sign the Code to acknowledge their awareness and the implications for them as individuals in the community 

Take a look at the Resource Centre for our guidance. 

Changes to Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement

The Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement was ratified by NZEI Te Riu Roa members on 12 June 2023. The term of the agreement is effective from 3 July 2023 to 2 July 2025. The changes that will be implemented from now until the start of Term 1 2025 is outlined on the MoE website.

Please note the associated primary teachers Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) will be available on 14 August 2023 on MOE website. Please ensure your non- union teachers are aware they are effective and able to be signed from that date. 

Primary principal unions

Two unions now exist covering the work of Primary Principals, being NZEI Te Riu Roa (NZEI) and Primary Principals Collective Bargaining Union (PPCBU). Your principal will likely be a member of one of these unions and covered by one of two the Collective Agreements recently ratified. It is important to establish and inquire as to which one, as there are some variations of entitlement between the two. Both include a professional coaching and support payment allowance of $6,000, for which the NZEI members will also receive their payment shortly.  

Note there needs to be an annual declaration by Term 4 for audit purposes. This allowance is not intended to be used for the purpose of purchasing goods or assets. It should be confined to professional coaching that enhances leadership skills. 

A service, experience or activity that supports your principal’s physical, mental or emotional wellbeing and has a clear link enhancing or maintaining the ability of the principal to function well in their role is a consideration. 

Some principals have chosen not to belong to any union thus are on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) which will be promulgated by the Secretary of Education on 25 September 2023 aligned to the terms and conditions of the renewed PPCA-NZEI. 

For more detail on the above and other matters please see the latest MoE Bulletin

Ngā mihi,
The NZSTA team