PSPA: Government makes second offer for Area School Principals

The Government made a revised PSPA pay offer as part of this package. The other change is an increase to the number of sabbaticals available and an increase to the Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance (MITA) for Levels 1 and 2.


All other parts of the previous offer stay the same.

• $4000 increase to the U-Grade salary component from 1 Dec 2022 (the same as the previous offer) and a 3% increase to the U-grade salary component on 1 Dec 2023. The change to a 3% offer is an increase on the previous offer which was for only a flat $2000 increase.
• A one-off payment of $750 (pro-rata) for members of NZEI Te Riu Roa as of 3 March 2023.
• A one-off payment of $500 for all principals on 1 Dec 2023.

• An additional five sabbaticals per year.

• The MITA will be paid to teaching principals who undertake at least six hours per week of teaching in a Māori immersion setting  Levels 1 & 2. 
  • Level 1 will increase to $6000 (from $4000). 
  • Level 2 will increase to $5000 (from $4000). 
  • There will be further increases at the end of three and six years’ experience.

The Government has said this second PSPA offer is the best one they can make. We will need to decide if we are willing to accept this or if we continue to campaign to get our key issues addressed.

You can find the offer and the collective agreement with tracked changes at the link below:

All members will get to vote early next year on whether to accept the second offer. This is likely during paid union meetings in the week of 20 February. If the offer is rejected, we will continue with our escalating campaign plan. 

There was a great deal of discussion and feedback from the PUMs last month about what people were willing to do and what we want to stop doing until we get an acceptable offer. It was clear that members want the campaign to continue and want to implement the action plan. 

The Principals’ Council and negotiating team will be meeting together in the term break to develop a detailed plan for campaign actions, including the things we stop doing! We will share that with you before school starts next year.   

Use this form if you want to let us know how you feel about the offer and what you want to do about it.

Area school teachers are yet to receive an offer. You can read about it in this email sent to members late yesterday.

Finally, I’d like to wish you well for a relaxing and refreshing break and a great festive season. See you in the new year – ready to go!

Ngā mihi nui,

Ripeka Lessels

On behalf of the ASPCA bargaining team