[mike&stef]

Dear all,

My wife and I are both primary teachers looking to work in NZ, problem is they are not on the SSL and so very slim chance of residency without a job offer.

Due to limited funds we are planning on selling up and taking the plunge travelling to South Island in August 2007 "on an extended family holiday" and applying for any jobs that come up then amending our already submitted EOI to reflect the job offer.

My questions are to anyone with NZ primary school experience or knowledge,

Will schools readily accept apps from non-NZ applicants?

Are there any areas except Auckland that seem short of primary teachers?

Rural or city? which posts are harder to fill?

Will the NZIS form 1113 employers offering a non-NZer a job put schools off appointing?

What evidence of my employment and experience should I bring (excluding usual refs, letters from employers and teacher registration) eg, performance management folder, observations, photos????

Am I right in that October will be the best time to be around for posts starting in February?

Thanks in advance! Regards Mike:confused:

[Jenny & Mark]

I can't answer the demand questions, but I would recommend getting your qualifications assessed by the NZQA and then register with the teachers' council to get your provisional status.

Cheers, Mark

[upnorthkyosa]

I agree with Mark. Don't do anything until you know that your qualifications will even allow you to teach over there. Also, don't discount Auckland, especially if you are a primary teacher. That is the most likely area that you will find a job. And remember, you can always move again once you get there.

Here is a site that shows what positions are available and where those positions are.

http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/

And, yes, the time period from October to December is a good time to get your CV out. Although, I've seen lots of postings all of the way into January.

[mike&stef]

Thanks Mark and John,

We've sent the NZQA stuff off in December had receipts so am assuming thats ongoing, and will get onto the registration when thats through.

We were not keen on Auckland purely on the financial front, 3 kids, not a huge pot of cash and going down to 1 wage temporarily, plus from what I can gather house prices are continuing to rise so with the premium already of Auckland didnt know whether we could stand a year or two there "slumming it" because thats all we can afford.

(have just spent 3 years slog on an old house renovating it and I want quality time with the kids for a bit!)

But well if its our only way in then it might have to be done.

I saw that they were reviewing the SSL now for July 2007 and wondered if they may include primary teachers then due to the increase in demand because of teachers release time and workforce reforms, wishful thinking maybe!

Thanks for the replies, good to know we are on with what we should be!

Regards Mike

[ruthyroo]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think it's unlikely that primary teaching will ever end up on the SSL. Even though secondary teaching is on there, it's really only for certain subjects and certain locations that there are real shortages - and you can guess where these places are i.e. fewer people want to teach / live there. NZ had a large-ish population bubble moving through the schools which is now just starting to leave secondary school.

But you never know! It's very much a case of being there at the right place, right time. I do know of some primary trained teachers here who now work in secondary - usually with the Yr 9-10 intake, or the lower ability classes. It's much easier to teach in different kinds of schools / subjects here than in the UK.

[Carey]

Primary teachers are now on the Skills Shortage List although I am still unsure what this exactly means? Does it help with points? Presumedly it means there will be more job vacancies? Have scoured the NZIM website and all I can find is where it says 'The SSL identifies the jobs and skills needed in NZ by region'........
Anyone know any more than that?