- 80 hours are recognised as the equivalent of one month of employment under this Agreement, and
- 1000 hours are recognised as the equivalent of one year of employment under this Agreement.
(ii) Employment in the New Zealand Public Service and/or Armed Forces may be credited on such terms as the Secretary for Education may agree.
(b) Any sick leave entitlement credited under clause 6.2.2(a) shall be reduced by the amount of sick leave taken during the applicable periods of employment.
6.2.3 Taking sick leave
(a) A teacher, other than a short-term reliever, who has sick leave entitlement available under clause 6.2.1 may take sick leave on pay when they are absent because they are sick or injured or where the teacher’s spouse, partner, or someone dependent on the teacher for care is sick or injured.
(b) The employer may grant paid sick leave in advance from the teacher’s next annual entitlement i.e., up to 10 days, which will be deducted from their next annual entitlement.
(c) Teachers will have sick leave deducted from their entitlements set out in clause 2.1 above as follows:
(i) Sick leave is only deducted on days that the school is open for instruction, and on which the teacher would normally have worked.
(ii) For full time teachers sick leave will not be deducted for an absence that is less than two hours.
(iii) For part time teachers sick leave will not be deducted for an absence that is less than 25% of the hours normally worked on that day.
6.2.4 Sick leave and Short Term Relievers
(a) A short-term reliever who has accepted an offer of a period of short-term relief teaching and who cannot work on a day(s) during that period is entitled to paid sick leave for the day or hours they would have worked, provided they have sick leave entitlement available under clause 6.2.1.
(b) Short term relievers may use sick leave because they are sick or injured, or because their spouse, partner, or someone dependent on the short-term reliever for care is sick or injured.
6.2.5 Medical Evidence
(a) While a medical certificate will not normally be required for leave of within five consecutive calendar days, where it is considered warranted, an employer may require a teacher to produce a medical certificate or other evidence of sickness or injury satisfactory to the employer. If so, the employer will agree to meet the employee’s reasonable expenses in obtaining proof.
(b) When more than five consecutive calendar days sick leave is taken a medical certificate from a registered health practitioner may be required to be provided to the If the teacher cannot obtain a medical certificate other evidence of sickness or injury satisfactory to the employer may be provided.
(c) When a period of sick leave exceeds 14 working days the employer may require the teacher to:
(i) provide a medical certificate from a registered health practitioner stating the expected date the teacher will be able to return to work. The employer may require the teacher to provide further medical certificates should the sick leave continue beyond the expected date of return stated in this or subsequent medical
(ii) obtain a second medical opinion from an independent registered health practitioner nominated by the employer and agreed to by the teacher, provided that such agreement shall not be unreasonably The cost of a second medical opinion will be met by the employer.
6.2.6 Teachers temporarily working reduced hours on account of sickness
(a) The employer may allow, at its discretion, a teacher who has been on sick leave to return to duty on a reduced hours basis, usually for a period of no more than six weeks, if:
(i) the teacher’s doctor recommends and provides a medical clearance for the return to work, and
(ii) there would be no staffing or timetabling problems for the school.
(b) The daily hours the teacher does not work each week will be aggregated and deducted as sick leave as a proportion of the total hours they would usually work in that week.
6.2.7 Absences due to an injury or accident covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation
(a) When a teacher is absent on account of a work-related injury by accident that is covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation, no sick leave will be deducted for the period of absence.
(b) When a teacher is absent on account of a non-work-related injury by accident covered by the Accident Compensation Corporation the payment of earnings-related compensation plus the teacher’s sick leave (where leave is available) will equal the teacher’s normal remuneration.
6.2.8 Disregarded sick leave
(a) Disregarded sick leave not exceeding an overall aggregate of two years shall be granted by the Secretary for Education where in the opinion of the Secretary one of the following conditions has been met:
(i) The sickness can be traced directly to the conditions or circumstances under which the teacher is working; or
(ii) The injury occurred in the discharge of the teacher’s duties through no fault of the teacher and where no payment has been made by the Accident Compensation Corporation; or
(iii) The teacher has contracted a notifiable disease listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Health Act 1956, and the teacher is either:
- complying with a written request or direction from a Medical Officer of Health under the Health Act 1956 to refrain from attending school for a specified period, or
- Is otherwise required by a relevant Public Health Order to refrain from attending school for a specified period; or
(iv) The teacher has contracted hepatitis or tuberculosis, where the period of disregarded sick leave is the time that the teacher’s treating registered medical practitioner decides is necessary for the teacher to remain away from school; or
(v) The absence was due to war injury or service.
(b) Where sick leave has been deducted for any period granted as disregarded sick leave under 6.2.8(a)(i) to 6.2.8(a)(v) above, the sick leave will be reinstated.
(c) Disregarded sick leave is additional to any period of absence on account of sickness or injury to which the teacher is entitled with full salary in accordance with the scale set out in clause 6.2.1 above.
(d) Fixed term or relieving teachers shall only be granted disregarded sick leave, as provided for in 6.2.8(a) above, where they have been in continuous employment before the date of application.
6.3 Parental Provisions
6.3.1 The teacher is entitled to take parental leave under the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987 (PLEPA). In addition to the teacher’s rights under the PLEPA the following shall apply:
(a) Parental leave may commence at any time during the pregnancy subject to the teacher giving the employer one month’s notice in writing, supported by a medical certificate. A shorter period of notice will be accepted on the recommendation of a medical practitioner. The teacher can take up to 12 months unpaid leave from the date of birth, or in the case of adoption, whangai or Home for Life placement of a child under the age of six years, from the date the teacher becomes the primary carer.
(b) A teacher with 12 months or more service shall be entitled to up to a further 12 months’ unpaid leave (bringing the total entitlement to a maximum of 24 months’ continuous leave including leave taken prior to the birth of the teacher’s child) subject to notifying their employer in writing of their intention to take this leave within 9 months from the date of commencing leave under 6.3.1(a);
(c) The teacher’s position will be held open, subject to the surplus staffing provisions of 3.9 of this Agreement, for the duration of their parental leave. If a relieving teacher is employed it will be a condition of the relieving appointment that it will be terminated by the employer concerned within one month from the date that the permanent incumbent gives notice of their intention to return to work early. A teacher must give their employer at least one month’s notice if it is their intention to return to work before their parental leave expires. This provision shall not apply in the case of a teacher who has had a miscarriage or a stillborn child. In such cases the teacher may elect to return to work immediately.
(d) A teacher intending to resign because of pregnancy must be advised of their right to take parental leave.
Note: Employment as a long term reliever covering a teacher on parental leave does not generate an entitlement to permanency in the event that the teacher on leave resigns.
6.3.2 Parental Grant
A teacher who takes parental leave in order to be the primary carer, or resigns due to pregnancy, is entitled to a payment equal to 6 weeks’ salary calculated at the rate applicable in the teacher’s last full working week prior to the commencement of their leave or date of resignation. The payment is not pro-rated if the teacher takes less than 6 weeks’ leave. The grant is payable following production of a birth certificate or suitable evidence of placement.
Primary carer means:
The biological mother of the child, or their spouse or partner, where they take primary responsibility for the care, development, and upbringing of the child during the first six weeks following the child’s birth.
In the case of adoption, whangai or Home for Life placement, the person who takes permanent primary responsibility for the care development and upbringing of the child during the first six weeks of the placement.
6.3.3 Sick Leave During Pregnancy and while on Parental Leave
Periods of illness due to pregnancy prior to the birth may be charged against the teacher’s sick leave entitlement. Normal rules for sick leave with regard to production of a medical certificate apply. Once the teacher has commenced parental leave, any day(s) of sickness must be leave without pay and in no circumstances may a teacher have an absence during or following the birth of the child credited against their sick leave entitlement.
6.3.4 Leave to Attend Partner at Birth of their Child
(a) Permanently appointed teachers will be granted two days paid leave to attend their partner at the birth of their child.
(b) Reasonable notice must be provided to the employer before and at the time of the teacher taking leave.
6.4 Bereavement/Tangihanga Leave for Death in New Zealand or Overseas
6.4.1 Teachers shall be granted leave with pay to allow a reasonable opportunity to discharge their obligations and/or to pay their respects to a deceased person with whom they have had a close association. Such obligations may exist because of blood or family ties or because of particular cultural requirements such as attendance at all or part of a tangihanga (or its equivalent).
6.4.2 In granting time off therefore, and for how long, the following points must be taken into account:
(a) The closeness of the association between the teacher and the deceased; (Note: This association need not be a blood relationship.)
(b) Whether the teacher has to take significant responsibility for any or all of the arrangements to do with the ceremonies resulting from the death;
(c) The amount of time needed to discharge properly any responsibilities or obligations;
(d) Reasonable travelling time should be allowed, but for cases involving overseas travel that may not be the full period of travel;
(e) A decision must be made as quickly as possible so that the teacher is given maximum time possible to make any arrangements necessary. In most cases the necessary approval will be given immediately, but may be given retrospectively where necessary;
(f) If paid special leave is not appropriate then leave without pay should be granted.
6.4.3 If a bereavement occurs while a teacher is absent on annual leave, sick leave with pay, or other special leave with pay, such leave may be interrupted and bereavement leave granted in terms of clauses 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 above. This provision will not apply if the teacher is on leave without pay.
6.4 Ngā Whakarite Tuku Tangihanga
6.4.1 Mo te mate i roto o Aotearoa, ki tāwāhi rānei.
6.4.2 Ka taea te tuku i tētahi kaiako me te utu anō hoki, kia wātea ki te whakarite i ngā āhuatanga ki te whakatakoto i tōna aroha rānei ki tētahi tupapaku, i tino tata atu mōhiotia hoki e ia. Tērā pea nōna ake, he whanaunga tonu rānei, i raro i ngā āhuatanga a iwi rānei kia tae atu ki tētahi wāhanga, ki te katoa rānei o te wā o te tangihanga, hura kōhatu, ētahi atu tikanga a rite rānei.
6.4.3 Nō reira mo tēnei tu ahua tuku, me te roa o te tuku kia wātea, me whai i ngā āhuatanga e whai ake nei:
(a) Te tata atu o te kaiako ki te tupapaku (kia mōhio: tēnei tata e kī ana me toto tonu nōu);
(b) Mehemea he wāhanga nui tā te kaimahi ki te whakahaere, kāore rānei, i ngā whakariterite mo te tangihanga;
(c) Te wā tuku kia wātea e hiahiatia ana, mo ēnei whakahaere, whakariterite hei mahi māna;
(d) Me whakaaetia tētahi wā e tika ana mo te haere atu hoki mai, engari mēnā he haere ki tāwāhi kāore pea e whakaritea mo te katoa o te haere, hoki mai anō hoki;
(e) Kia tere tonu te whakatau i te tono kia tere ai te wātea o te kaiako ki te whakariterite i ngā mea katoa e pā ana ki a ia. I te nuinga o ēnei tü āhuatanga ka hoatu tonutia te whakaae, engari i etahi wā, kua tae kua hoki mai kē te kaimahi ki te tangihanga, i mua o te hoatutanga i te whakaae mēnā e tika ana;
(f) Mehemea kāore e tika ana kia whiwhi i tēnei tuku whakawātea me te utu hoki, tērā pea ka whakaaetia kia tangohia atu i o whakawātea (hararei) a tau, whakawātea mo te kore utu rānei, engari koinei te mutunga.
6.4.4 Mehemea ka pā mai he aituā ki tētahi kaiako i te wā o tāna whakawātea a tau, o tāna whakawātea a turoro (me te utu), o ētahi atu whakawātea hirahira (me te utu) rānei, ka taea te whakatārewa i taua whakawātea, kia pai ai te tuku whakawātea tangihanga ki a ia i raro o te ture 6.4.1–6.4.2 i runga ake nei. Kāore tēnei whakaarotanga e tukuna mehemea kāore te kaiako i te utua mo te wā whakawātea.
6.5 Leave for Family Reasons
6.5.1 A teacher may be granted leave for family reasons subject to meeting the requirements as provided for in clauses 6.5.2–6.5.5 below. Relieving teachers in Groups 1 and 2 may be granted leave for family reasons as for permanent teachers. Applications for leave from relieving teachers in Group 3 are to be referred to the Secretary for Education.
(a) Definition – for the purposes of section 6.5, the terms “near relative” and “near relative-in-law” mean the teacher’s:
Grandparents Father-in-law Sons-in-law Grandchildren Mother-in-law Daughters-in-law The terms do not exist beyond those degrees of relationship.
6.5.2 Serious Illness
(a) A teacher may be granted leave with pay on account of serious accident or a crisis in a severe illness of a:
(i) partner, child, parent, brother or sister – two days;
(ii) a near relative, near relative-in-law or a member of the teacher’s household – one day.
(b) The maximum period of leave on full pay that may be granted for this purpose, including travelling time, is seven days.
6.5.3 Leave for Sickness in the Home
(a) The employer may grant a teacher leave with pay as a charge against the teacher’s sick leave entitlement when the teacher must be absent from work to care for a person who is sick or injured and who depends on the teacher for care.
(b) Approval is not to be given for absences during or in connection with the birth of a teacher’s child. Such situations should be covered by leave granted under clauses 6.3.4 or 6.8.
6.5.4 Recurring Serious Illness
When a teacher applies for several periods of leave because of recurring illness in the family the employer has a discretion as to how many times leave with pay is granted in the same school year, having regard for the welfare of the school or class concerned.
Note: The production of a medical certificate or other evidence of illness may be required in the case of leave granted in terms of clauses 6.5.2, 6.5.3 and 6.5.4.
6.5.5 Important Family and Other Occasions
A teacher may be granted one day’s paid leave per year plus travelling time in terms of clause 6.9 below for the following occasions. Relieving and fixed-term full-time teachers in Groups 1 and 2 may be granted leave for important family and other occasions as for permanent teachers.
(a) Their own wedding (or civil union) or that of their child, a sibling, parent, grandchild or grandparent;
(b) Their parents’ golden or diamond wedding anniversary;
(c) Their own ordination, vice-regal investiture, admission to the bar or capping or that of their partner, child, sibling or parent;
(d) Attendance at court for an adoption order;
(e) Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur for teachers of the Jewish faith.
6.6 Special Leave
6.6.1 Special leave of absence with or without pay may be granted to a teacher subject to meeting the requirements as provided for in clauses 6.6.2 - 6.6.9 below. The special leave provisions apply to full-time permanent, fixed-term full-time and long-term relieving teachers.
6.6.2 Court Proceedings
Except when teachers are pursuing their own interests or where answering charges against themselves, the employer will grant leave with pay when a teacher is required by subpoena to attend court proceedings as a witness or to serve on a jury; provided that where fees for service are paid, these fees shall be repaid to the employer for repayment to the Public Account.
6.6.3 Candidates in General Elections
The provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 and its amendments shall apply.
6.6.4 Sports Leave
Where such leave is approved by the employer teachers are entitled to leave with pay for overseas sports tours, inter-provincial fixtures, national championships and international competition within New Zealand subject to the following maxima per any 12 month period:
(a) overseas tours – up to four weeks;
(b) inter-provincial fixtures and national championships – up to six weeks;
(c) international competition within New Zealand – one day for assembly and training, plus two days’ travelling time, plus the day or days of the fixture.
Provided that relieving teachers, except those employed on a casual basis for only a few days at a time, may apply for leave to be granted as for permanent teachers.
6.6.5 Cultural Leave
Where such leave is approved by the employer teachers participating in recognised cultural activities within New Zealand or outside New Zealand are entitled to leave with pay on the same conditions as for sports leave. Provided that relieving teachers, except those employed on a casual basis for only a few days at a time, may apply for leave to be granted as for permanent teachers.
6.6.6 Study Leave
Teachers who are awarded study leave as part of the 75 full-time equivalent study leave positions available nationally each year to all teachers shall be granted leave on pay for the period of the study.
(b) Applications for study awards shall be made to a panel composed of equal numbers of employer representatives and representatives of the Association. In allocating study awards the Good Employer requirements of sections 597 and 600 of the Education and Training Act 2020, as set out in clause 3.1.1(b), shall be considered.
(c) Employers may approve leave without pay for pre-examination study and leave on pay for time spent sitting examinations, plus necessary travelling time.
(d) Relieving and fixed-term full-time teachers in Groups 1 and 2 may apply for leave for study and examinations to be granted as for permanent teachers.
(e) The employer may grant leave on pay to teachers who are awarded scholarships and fellowships for the duration of the contract, plus reasonable travelling time.
Note: A teacher in receipt of the allowance for Kāhui Ako Teacher (across community) role shall not be eligible to take up a Study Leave award. For clarity the teacher may apply for an award in the last year of their appointment to the role provided, if granted, the entitlement is not taken up until after the conclusion of the fixed-term appointment.
6.6.6A Study Support Grant
(a) 100 study support grants per annum shall be available nationally to fully registered teachers who are permanently appointed.
(b) Teachers who are awarded one of 100 study support grants shall be entitled to a time allowance of 0.16 FTTE (equivalent to four hours per week). The time allowance shall be provided to the school as additional staffing entitlement.
(c) Each recipient of the study support grant shall be entitled to reimbursement of up to $500 towards their course fees on completion of the course.
Note: The parties may agree to review and amend the application process and criteria for the study support grants from time to time.
6.6.7 Sabbatical Leave
(a) 50 sabbatical leave awards per annum shall be available nationally for full-time registered teachers.
(b) Sabbatical leave is of ten weeks duration and is paid at the teacher’s normal salary.
Note 1: These awards shall be allocated according to the current application processes and criteria. The parties may agree to amend these from time to time.
Note 2: A teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Kāhui Ako Teacher (across community) role may apply for Sabbatical Leave to be taken while they hold that role provided that any application has the support of their employing board which shall consider the needs of the wider Kāhui Ako.
6.6.7A Sabbatical Leave for Senior Managers
(a) From the start of the 2012 school year, ten (10) sabbatical leave awards per annum shall be made available nationally for full-time registered teachers employed as senior managers, as defined in 4.3B.2.
(b) Sabbatical leave is of ten weeks duration and is paid at the teacher's normal salary.
Note 1: These awards shall be allocated in accordance with the application process and criteria to be developed by the parties in consultation with New Zealand School Trustees Association by 1 June 2011.
Note 2: A teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Kāhui Ako Teacher (across community) role may apply for Sabbatical Leave to be taken while they hold that role provided that any application has the support of their employing board which shall consider the needs of the wider Kāhui Ako.
6.6.8 Meetings of Statutory and Local Authorities
(a) The employer may grant a teacher leave with pay plus necessary travelling time to attend meetings of statutory, local, Māori and other authorities (or in other circumstances leave without pay may be granted to attend such meetings).
(b) For the purposes of clause 6.6.8(a) the following are recognised Māori authorities/organisations:
(i) New Zealand Māori Council;
(ii) Māori Women’s Welfare League;
(iii) Tribal Trust Boards;
(iv) Iwi authorities;
6.6.9 Miscellaneous Leave
Leave with or without pay may be granted for the following purposes subject to the criteria set out below being met:
(a) Where a teacher is prevented from travelling from their home to work because of an emergency situation outside of the control of the teacher (up to seven days’ leave with pay may be granted). Approval shall not be given where the teacher has advance notice or in circumstances where the teacher could be reasonably expected to have foreseen the situation arising. Where practicable the teacher is to inform the school of the reasons for the absence and is required to return to duty as soon as possible. Full details of the case shall be submitted.
(b) Search and Rescue. Where a teacher is a member of an authorised search and rescue organisation and is requested by a responsible authority to take part in a search and rescue operation (leave with pay). Written evidence of the teacher’s participation in the search from the appropriate authority mentioned above is to be submitted to the employer.
(c) Outward Bound. Teachers selected for Outward Bound courses should, if possible, take the course during the long vacation. Where there are overlaps with term time and the employer supports the teacher’s attendance leave with pay up to one week may be granted.
(d) Where a teacher is participating in an overseas tour by a school party approved by the employer (leave with or without pay for the duration of the tour).
(e) Rotary Group Exchange Tours
(i) A teacher selected to go on a Rotary group study exchange tour may, provided that they spend one full week of the tour on studies directly related to their position and, on their return produce a full report of these studies, be granted one week’s leave on full pay. All applications for this leave must be approved by the employer. In no circumstances shall leave with pay be granted in excess of one week.
(ii) Leave with pay shall not be granted for Rotoract study tours.
6.7 Refreshment Leave
6.7.1 Full-time registered teachers who have attained the Experienced Classroom Teacher level of the Professional Standards shall be entitled (subject to 6.7.2) to take unpaid refreshment leave of one school term after three years in the school or up to one school year after five years in the school. When a period of refreshment leave has been taken, a further period of qualifying service in the school, from the date of return from leave, is required before the teacher may be considered for further refreshment leave.
6.7.2 The ability to take up the entitlement to refreshment leave in clause 6.7.1 is subject to:
(a) The teacher providing reasonable notice to the employer of their intention to take refreshment leave; and
(b) The employer’s ability to find a suitable reliever to fill the vacancy created by the teacher taking the leave. A suitable reliever is a teacher who will be able, to the satisfaction of the employer, to relieve in the school during the period of the teacher’s leave. The employer shall use reasonable endeavour to find a suitable reliever. Reasonable endeavour in this context means accessing the usual pool of relievers, advertising locally if necessary, and does not mean advertising regionally or nationally, except as required in this agreement. It does not require the employer to place more than one advertisement; and
(c) The teacher not being subject to current competence or disciplinary processes under this agreement or previous agreement or employment contract at the time that leave is sought; and
(d) The maximum number of teachers who can be on refreshment leave at any one time in a school is calculated as follows:
Number of teachers in the school Maximum number of teachers who may be on refreshment leave at any one time Up to 15 teachers Two teachers on leave 16 to 21 teachers Three teachers on leave 22 or more teachers Four teachers on leave Where more than the maximum number of teachers in the school request refreshment leave, priority will be dependent on the length of service of the individual teachers in the school.
(e) A teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Kāhui Ako Teacher (across community) role may apply for refreshment leave to be taken while they hold that role provided the duration of the leave is no more than one term and that any application for the leave has the support of their employing board which shall consider the needs of the wider Kāhui Ako.
Note: A teacher in receipt of the allowance for the Kāhui Ako Teacher (across community) role may apply in their last year of tenure in the role for their full entitlement to refreshment leave which is to be taken in the following school year.
6.7.3 Time off on refreshment leave will count as service for the purpose of salary increments, long service and severance calculations. It will not count for the purposes of sick leave or holiday pay calculations or for entitlement to public holidays.
6.7.4 Teachers on refreshment leave of greater than one term who are eligible for an annual increment during the period of their leave shall not require attestation for that increment providing their previous two attestations were satisfactory.
6.7.5 A teacher may not take up a teaching position in another state or integrated school while on refreshment leave. This restriction does not preclude a teacher on refreshment leave agreeing to undertake short-term relief provided the total number does not exceed 10 days (or 50 hours) per term.
Note: The qualifying periods set out in 6.7.1 for refreshment leave relate solely to this provision and do not apply to any other forms of leave.
6.8 Other Forms of Leave
6.8.1 Nothing in this agreement limits the facility for teachers to apply to the employer for leave with or without pay in any circumstance not specified.
6.9 Travelling Time for Leave Purposes
6.9.1 Where specifically approved in this agreement (and including teachers at in-service courses and on outdoor education) travelling time with pay for a period of up to seven days (exclusive of public holidays) may be granted subject to the following conditions:
(a) Leave for travelling can only be granted if the teacher is required to travel when the school is open;
(b) The quickest and most direct means of travel shall be used;
(c) No travelling time is granted for a journey that is preceded by leave without pay or for a return journey that is followed by a period of leave without pay.
6.10 Leave Records
6.10.1 Leave records for teachers should clearly indicate all sick leave, leave without pay, periods of special leave and periods during which accident compensation may be granted.
6.11 Family Violence Leave
6.11.1 Leave as provided for by the Holidays Act 2003 is in addition to other leave allowances within this collective agreement.
Note 1: The leave provisions set out in this Part of the Agreement shall be applied in accordance with any administrative conditions that were in effect at the commencement of this Agreement. Nothing in these provisions shall be read as extending any entitlement beyond that which existed at the commencement of this Agreement except as may be expressly agreed to by the Secretary for Education after consultation with the Association.
Note 2: The parties acknowledge that the leave provisions of this Agreement (and their administration) operate to provide entitlements equal to, or in excess of, those provided under the Holidays Act 2003. To this extent the parties agree that current administrative practices will continue to operate and, for clarity, teachers will take their annual leave outside the gazetted term dates.
