NZEI Te Riu Roa is the professional organisation and industrial union that represents the interests and issues of its 50, 000 members. Our members in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector include: teachers and support staff in kindergartens and education and care centres; coordinators/visiting teachers in home-based services and kaiako and kaiawhina in nga kohanga reo.
The main objective of NZEI Te Riu Roa is to advance the cause of education generally while upholding and maintaining the just claims of its members individually and collectively.
NZEI’s National Office is in Wellington. There is an Early Childhood Education/Special Education Team in National Office who support the sector with strategies and campaigns. There are three full time Strategic Organisers and an Organising Support Officer who are led by a Strategic Lead Organiser. National Office also houses the Membership Support Centre (member 0800 number) where members can call in with queries and the Organising Call Centre where NZEI run call programmes to members.
There are offices located throughout the country. These offices are staffed by Office Managers, Lead Organisers, Field Officers, Takawaenga and administration staff.