We need to be able to attract the very best, passionate people to enter our increasingly challenging profession.

What does the issue of pay mean for you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

I believe that, given the influence we as ECE teachers have on our next generation; pay rates need to reflect the vital importance of our mahi. We need to be able to attract the very best, passionate people to enter our increasingly challenging profession.

What will it take to fix pay for kindergarten teachers?

Our remuneration needs to compensate the importance of the work and the high stress levels in the job. It needs to be at a level which will attract new graduates to the job.

When we fix pay for kindergarten teachers, what impact will that change have on you as a teacher, and the tamariki you teach?

It will attract committed people to the profession and help to retain current staff; this will benefit our tamariki.