Schools versus tertiary: very different situations
In announcing the 2026 public service cuts, the Finance Minister said teachers, nurses, doctors, police and defence staff were not covered. School boards have their own budgets, though, and falling rolls in some areas lead to staffing reductions. Tertiary providers are separate employers with their own finances, so cuts there are driven by enrolments, funding decisions and fees.
| Group | Typical situation | First thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Primary and secondary teachers | Rolls fall, so staffing entitlement drops. Fixed-term and relieving contracts end. | Your collective agreement and the school's staffing proposal. |
| School support staff (teacher aides, admin) | Hours reduced when funding or roll changes. Often on lower pay and casual terms. | Your individual or collective agreement. The employer is the board. |
| Early childhood | Centres close or cut hours when enrolments drop or funding rules change. | Your employer (centre or organisation) and union cover. |
| Universities | Course and department restructures, voluntary redundancy schemes, hiring freezes. | The university's change policy and the TEU collective agreement. |
| Polytechnics and wānanga | Programme closures, mergers, changes in vocational education structure and funding. Te Pūkenga has been restructured, so your employer may have changed. | Your collective agreement and who your employer now is. |
What we can verify, and what is old
- Lincoln University, 25 March 2026: the TEU reported an all-staff meeting where the university announced 40 FTE job cuts, citing a signalled lower funding from the Tertiary Education Commission and enrolments below target. Voluntary redundancies and early retirement packages were offered.
- University of Otago, July 2023 (older): RNZ reported 107 of 190 voluntary redundancy applications accepted, equal to 81 full-time workers, as part of a cost-cutting drive. Check the university's current position.
How consultation works
- A change proposal is shared, usually with the union first. It should explain the financial or enrolment case.
- You have a consultation window to give feedback. Ask for the data behind the numbers.
- Selection criteria, redeployment and vacancies are explained. For academic roles, ask whether research, teaching and service are weighted fairly.
- A decision is made. If you are surplus, notice and compensation follow your agreement.
Where to look next
- Relief teaching and relieving positions: use your school contacts. Keep your practising certificate current. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand says practising certificates run for three years, and registration itself does not expire unless you deregister or it is cancelled. Check renewal timing on teachingcouncil.nz.
- Teaching in other regions: some schools find it hard to fill subjects such as maths, science, te reo Māori and technology roles. Search vacancies on Education Gazette (gazette.education.govt.nz).
- Overseas teaching: Australia and the UK recruit NZ teachers. Check registration requirements for each.
- Academics and researchers: crown research institutes, industry R&D, policy and think-tank roles, and consultancies. Remote roles overseas.
- Professional staff: administration, student support, finance and HR skills transfer to the public sector, councils, health and corporates.
- Training: if you want to move out of education, MSD and tertiary providers can discuss funded options, including fees-free provisions where they apply. Check current eligibility at fees-free sites.
Work and Income offers redeployment support for people facing redundancy. Its page says you can contact them before your job ends, even if no decisions have been made. Support can include a named contact who helps with your CV and cover letter, looks for jobs or training, connects you with employers and arranges financial support between jobs.
- Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz (the address Work and Income lists for redundancy support).
- Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to talk about payments such as Jobseeker Support or a Transition to Work Grant.
- Book a free career conversation with the Direct Career Service on 0800 222 733.
Sources
- TEU: Staff left reeling after 40 FTE job cuts at Lincoln University (opens in a new tab)
- 1News: Election-year clash over job cuts (opens in a new tab)
- RNZ: University of Otago makes more than 100 staff redundant (July 2023, older) (opens in a new tab)
- Teaching Council: Renewing a practising certificate (opens in a new tab)
- Employment NZ: Redundancy (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Redundancy support (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.