The key obligation for governments is to resource the early childhood care and education sector in order to provide high quality, culturally sustaining provision, since research has reinforced that this serves both individual and societal long-term wellbeing. So why are they not doing this?| AKO
NZEI Te Riu Roa is the largest education sector union in Aotearoa. We come together as more than 46,000 educators to form a powerful force for change.| NZEI Te Riu Roa
Jasmine Taankink (Ngā Mahanga-a-Tairi) is a second language speaker of te reo Māori committed to the intergenerational transmission of te reo in her whānau and community. She shares with us her hopes for her three moko.Read More| AKO
Qualified early childhood teachers bring deep knowledge, intentional teaching and powerful relationships that shape children’s futures. Ako hears from kaiako across Aotearoa about the life-changing difference their study has made, and why tamariki deserve nothing less than skilled, thoughtful educators from the very start. Read More| AKO
While headlines continue to debate the state of education, and political conversations turn increasingly towards blame and constraint, the reality is that our teachers are holding together a system under pressure with the strength of their care, professionalism and deep commitment to every child who| AKO
Did you know NZEI Te Riu Roa awards over $30,000 worth of scholarship funds each year to ECE teachers and support staff? Ako spoke to some of the 2024 recipients about how they used the funds and the impact it has had on their mahi.| AKO
ECE kaiako Jared Lambert received a scholarship from NZEI Te Riu Roa in 2024 and used the funds to help complete his Master of Psychology. He answered some questions about his experience of the scholarship.| AKO
Teaching assistant Victoria Goode facilitates a Nurture Group at Nelson Central School. She received a Support Staff scholarship from NZEI Te Riu Roa in 2024 and used the funds to train with Nurture International in the UK. She answered some questions about her experience of the scholarship.| AKO
Teacher aide Paul Hartland received a Support Staff scholarship from NZEI Te Riu Roa in 2024 and used the funds towards his study to become a qualified counsellor. He is now working as a counsellor at Pukekohe High School. He answered some questions about his experience of the scholarship.| AKO
Michelle Dons is kaiako matua at Matangi Āwhio kindergarten in Whakatū. She received an ECE scholarship from NZEI Te Riu Roa in 2024 to further her studies in how to promote and support emotional regulation in tamariki and kaiako in kindergarten. She writes about her experiences of the scholarship.| AKO
