[greenchilli]

Hi, any teachers working in NZ, what have been your experiences of starting salaries as have heard stories of people having to take jobs as TA s and that Uk experience not translating into your NZ salary.

[lockstock]

Your teaching qualifications should be approved by the NZQA and your starting salary depends on the level of your qualification and teaching experience. With an hons degree, an advanced diploma and 28 years experience I started at the top of the scale (nowhere else to go) although it took a few weeks to get the Salary Section to work it all out. I did get back pay once they did that though.

Look up the teacher salary section on the PPTA website. It's a bit complicated but there's no way you should be on a TA's hourly rate ( about $12.70)

[beanbeanz]

Are you a primary or secondary teacher? Each have their own respective agreements on salary scales (although, I think there is pay parity...)

Here's (http://www2.nzei.org.nz/Primary+Teachers/Collective+Agreements.html)where you can find the primary teachers' collective agreement, there's a salary table and an explanation of what qualifications you need for the various steps.

I think that you only get credit for half of the work experience outside of NZ (if you worked 4 years in country X, it counts as 2 years). Don't quote me on that last bit though...

[willsken]

I think that you only get credit for half of the work experience outside of NZ (if you worked 4 years in country X, it counts as 2 years). Don't quote me on that last bit though...

No, you do get full years. I was under the same impression when I came here, that I'd only get half, but it's not the case. You get year for year. :nice1