For me as a reliever … I constantly feel guilty when I can’t cover at kindergartens that need me.

What does the reliever shortage mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

For me as a reliever it means I constantly feel guilty when I can’t cover at kindergartens that need me. Those children deserve high quality relief teachers and teachers should be able to have a sick day without guilt of leaving their team short.

What will it take to fix the reliever shortage?

Equal pay [for relief teachers]. Get rid of the pay cap.

Make being a reliever an attractive job for more teachers who want a change.

When we fix the reliever shortage, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

It would be huge, the well-being of the tamariki and the teachers will be hugely impacted by more consistency and reliability.