Primary teachers and principals have walked off the job for the first time in 24 years in an on-going pay dispute.
The strike was originally planned to be only three hours, but it was announced in July it would be extended to a full day.
Here's what you need to know.
- Around 29,000 educators are on strike and 1264 schools will be closed for the day
- Several businesses have put on specials for children during the strike
- It will only last one day. Schools will be back to business as usual tomorrow
- The NZEI has posted a list of all rally locations on its website
These live updates have now ended.
1:15pm - Overwhelming support for two day strike
Protesters in Auckland were asked whether they would support a series of rolling strikes or a two-day strike some time in the future.
The crowd barely responded for rolling strikes, but cheered loudly for a two-day strike.
A speaker at the event joked that it was clear which side the crowd supported.
12:59pm - Parliament video shows huge amount of protesters in Wellington
Video posted to Facebook by New Zealand Parliament shows a huge line of people marching down the street towards the building from Westpac Stadium.
12:35pm- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Education Chris Hipkins meet striking teachers
Ms Ardern and Mr Hipkins were there as part of a group of MPs who received the protesters when they arrived at Parliament.
Alongside Ms Ardern and Mr Hipkins were Green MPs Jan Logie, Golriz Ghahraman and Marama Davidson, NZ First MP Tracey Martin, and Labour MPs Jenny Salesa, Louisa Wall and Kelvin Davis.
12:01pm - High-rise photo shows scale of strike
Auckland Councillor Richard Hills has shared a photo of the Queen St strike from inside a high-rise office, showing the number of people crowding the street below.
11:49am - Hundreds gather in Dunedin to protest
More than 500 teachers, parents and students have marched from the Edgar Centre along Portsmouth Dr.
11:45am - Strikers gather in Christchurch
Primary teachers and supporters have gathered in Cathedral Square with banners and whistles for the strike.
11:37am - Nurses join protest for teachers
Images on Twitter show women flying the New Zealand Nurses Organisation flag at the strike in Dunedin. Nurses recently settled their own pay dispute.
11:35am - Teachers show their cheeky side with placards
Placards at the Wellington protest have sarcastically poked fun at criticisms of the profession, including the idea that it's an easy role.
Here are some Newshub spotted.
- Can you read? You’re welcome
- This wouldn’t happen at Hogwarts
- Think your own kids are exhausting? Try 32
- I’d rather be teaching, but this is important
- Nine til three, Monday to Friday, what a yarn
11:25am - Future strikes could be more than one day
A speaker at the Wellington event has told the crowd any future action could possibly escalate to a two day strike.
The announcement was met with cheers from the audience.
11:20am - Anonymous deputy principal says he's "annoyed" at striking teachers
The Nelson deputy principal, who is not striking, told Stuff he thought while teaching isn't easy, it is on the whole a "sweet gig".
"I'm so annoyed with my fellow teachers," he said.
11:11am - Primary teachers' march begins in Auckland
You can follow a live stream of the protest here.
10:58am - Strikers assemble in Wellington
Primary teachers are gathering outside Westpac stadium in Wellington, preparing to march to Parliament.
A brass band is playing and there is a queue for the coffee cart. One sign reads: "Can you read? You're welcome".
10:45am - Teachers begin to assemble in Auckland central
Photos posted to Twitter from the CBD show a huge group of teachers beginning to assemble on Auckland's Queen St.
The rally is planned to begin at Fort St and end roughly half way up Queen St in Aotea Square.
10:17am - Weather not playing ball for the strike
It's currently raining in Auckland and the rest of the North Island is also battling wind and rain.
The South Island has escaped the worst of the weather and despite an overcast morning is expected to stay mostly dry.
Despite this teachers are still out in the street picketing, including Blockhouse Bay Primary School teachers who have set up in a roundabout this morning before leaving to meet up with other teachers in Auckland central.
According to a post in the local Facebook group community members donated cardboard to the school's teachers to make protest signs.
9:20am - ACT's proposed solution to the strike
ACT party leader David Seymour says he has a solution to the teachers' pay standoff – cut the number of workers at the Ministry of Education.
He claimed the average worker at the Ministry of Education is paid $82,000 - far more than most teachers.
He argues the Government should cut back on the number of workers at the ministry and instead give the money to teachers.
"Cutting the number of staff at the Education Ministry in half would save $108 million and deliver a $2000 - or over 3 per cent - payrise for the average New Zealand teacher," he said.
Teachers are asking for a 16 percent pay rise over two years.
9:00am - Picketing begins
Striking teachers have posted photos of themselves outside schools on social media, many carrying signs calling for better pay and conditions
8:40am - Rallies to take place across country
Rallies have been planned across the country, with the largest group meeting on Auckland's Fort St at 11am to progress up Queen St towards Aotea Square.
Trade union the New Zealand Educational Institute has published a list of all rally locations on its website.
8:25am - Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry announces support for striking teachers
Sir Graham used to be a principal and told The AM Show teachers deserve support.
"We need to get it right, we need to find the right strategy, it's our future, it's our kids," he said.
"What is more important? Let's get that right."
8:15am - Morning of strike dawns
Picket lines are being drawn and children are being sent to alternative childcare arrangements as many schools shut their doors for the day due to the strikes.
Newshub.
