Wellington's secondary teachers have ditched the classroom and taken over Parliament's forecourt with a teacher of nearly 20 years saying the education system is being held up "out of goodwill".
Wednesday's protest outside Parliament is a part of rolling strike action throughout Aotearoa this week.
The Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) says the action follows a "lack of progress in negotiations for a collective agreement that meets the needs of secondary education and the secondary teaching profession".
Hundreds of teachers marched onto the grounds of Parliament on Wednesday, united in what they were calling for.
"Teachers, united, will never be defeated," echoed as Wellington's secondary teachers marched.
As speeches were read, Newshub went into the crowd of visibly frustrated teachers to gauge the feeling amongst Aotearoa's educators.
"This is really bad right now"
Jo, an English teacher of about 20 years stood outside of Parliament to "stand up for education".
"At the moment it absolutely needs resuscitation. We have been papering over the cracks for years. The system is being held together by our goodwill."
Jo told Newshub it is "frustrating" that anytime teachers' contract comes up for negotiation "we have to do this" (strike).
"We have asked for something completely reasonable, just cost of living, just inflation that is all," she said.
"The feeling amongst teachers right now, after we saw this latest offer from the government is fury, I actually said some bad words."
Paul is a high school English teacher who has been teaching for about 12 years and protested at Parliament because times are becoming increasingly difficult for his colleagues.
"It's not just about pay, it's about pay and conditions. It isn't about getting to a certain figure, it's about getting the balance right."
Paul told Newshub teachers need better conditions to enable them to deliver for their students and better pay "to be able to keep up with pay their bills, paying their mortgages and keeping above water."
"The offer is pitiful, of what we're being offered. I'm standing up for colleagues and students for better pay offer, that includes better pay and conditions," said Chris Hayward.
Hayward is the design and evaluation lead (science) and timetable lead at Wellington East Girls' College and has been in the education sector for 11 years.
He told Newshub he and other teachers "feel let down" and their pay is not keeping up with the rate of inflation. Hayward added current working conditions are affecting students too.
"The students don't have the support that is needed, especially as we've just come through several years of very challenging times."
Education Minister Jan Tinetti wasn't seen at the protest, a spokesperson for her office said the minister had a prior engagement, so was unable to attend.
Ministry of Education statement:
"We are disappointed that PPTA has not paused its strike action which is disrupting student learning given the comprehensive offer that we have made to settle pay and conditions for secondary teachers," said general manager, employment relations Mark Williamon.
"Our offer was made on 3 May and released publicly on Monday. As the offer was made in collective bargaining, we are limited by our good faith obligations in how we can discuss what we have offered and why."
"Our offer addresses the key issues brought to the negotiations by the PPTA and we trust that PPTA's members will urgently review how our increased investment, across the more than 15 elements of the offer, directly addresses their concerns," Williamson added.
More information about the Ministry's offer can be found here.
