The Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement (KTCA)
The Kindergarten Teachers’ Collective Agreement is a cornerstone of our commitment to quality early childhood education, ensuring fair, consistent employment conditions for qualified teaching staff across the country.
NZK plays a central role in the negotiation of the KTCA, working in partnership with the Ministry of Education and NZEI Te Riu Roa, the union representing Kindergarten Teachers.
Through this relationship, we advocate for employment terms that recognise the value and professionalism of our teaching workforce – supporting recruitment, retention, and the delivery of high-quality, teacher-led education for Tamariki and whānau. Our leadership in these negotiations ensures that the voice of the sector is heard, and that Kindergarten continues to be a leading example of best-practice employment in ECE.
Being part of a sector with a nationally-negotiated collective agreement offers significant advantages. The KTCA provides consistency, equity, and transparency in employment conditions across Kindergartens, giving teachers confidence in their roles and career pathways. It helps to attract and retain a highly qualified workforce, ensures compliance with employment legislation, and reduces the administrative burden on individual employers. It enables access to a stable, proven framework that supports workforce wellbeing, professional growth, and sector sustainability – benefits that ultimately enhance learning outcomes and deliver impact for Tamariki.
