Do you recommend teaching in New Zealand?

Question

I head that NZ is so beautiful, green and friendly. But I see that there is some terrorism happening. What do you think?

Answer 1

Not with a face like that! Lol

Just joking!

Well I've just finished 13 years of school in New Zealand and I'd say it's pretty hard work. Students have become increasingly rude and violent along with their parents.

I've heard stories of primary school (5years-11years) students swearing and hitting their teachers. I've heard other stories of teachers being hit with chairs and bringing other objects from home. Also stories of parents coming in and abusing teachers.

Of course this happens everywhere now-a-days. New Zealand is a beautiful, friendly place and living here is great, but don't expect it everyone to be super-human and it to be all perfect. Basically, just don't get your hopes up.

This terrorism isn't planes crashing into big buildings. All it is at the moment is fire-arm charges being called something different. We probably will never know the full story, but I'm personally not worried about it.

Teachers have recently received a pay rise and they're due for another one. I'm not sure where you are thinking of emigrating from but New Zealand teachers get paid less than Australian and United Kingdom teachers.

If possible, come and visit before you make the big move.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The new curriculum has just been released in NZ..not sure what it's like, I haven't seen it myself.

Personally I found teaching in NZ really good.  The pay isn't that good compared to what you could potentially earn overseas, but job satisfaction is good.  

As far as terrorism is concerned..it's not on the same scale as there is in other places of the world..the bunch of loonies that were arrested recently are just that loonies....that said however, they need to be stopped and I believe that is what is happening now.

Answer 3

um theword "terroism" has been overplayedand is not the same meaning as with some of the extreme "terrorism"you see in other places!!!!!

I am a teacher...well I'm transitioning now...but I taught for 5 years here and had 2years in the UK....I say the teaching in many schools is a GREAT improvement from than in the UK!

THere is better discipline, more respect for teachers etc and is less stressful than the UK.....If you like teaching and are good at it, then you will probably be good no matter where you go.

Answer 4

Don't worry about the terrorism, but I live in NZ and I taught here for several years.  It probably isn't as bad as teaching in the States, but it's still the pits.  Education isn't really valued here.  There's far too much emphasis on sport, and Harper Valley PTA bigots have far too much say on school committees.  I wouldn't go back to teaching in NZ for any amount of money.

Answer 5

Had a good laugh at this!  I live in NZ & there is no terrorism in NZ, they arrested some activists (basically people who go on protest marches), no big deal, there are no bombs going off or anything.  Alot of people are protesting at the arrests as it all seems kind of silly.  Apparently one of the people arrested was a greenie who does embroidery or something like that & I think sells it for a living!  Hardly Al Qaeda is it?  NZ has low crime, particulary compared to the US or UK.  The most you have to worry about is theft from your car or of your car or maybe house burglary (get alarms & insurance) & the usual precautions re walking around the wrong areas at night, etc just like anywhere else.  I had an English friend who came out here to teach, she found it very easy to teach here compared to the UK, particularly as she didn't have to prepare the lessons as it was already done to a set curriculum.  She was lucky though as she taught in a school in an affluent suburb with wealthier, well behaved kids.  Conversely I have an English friend who lives here & her first teaching job after graduating was at a really rough school in a terrible neighbourhood.  Because she showed enthusiasm for teaching & was non judgemental about the kids & really liked the kids & wanted them to do well, they adored her & she had no problem at all, no bad behaviour or anything.  I also think the English charm factor got her a long way.  Also it's very multicultural here which you might find interesting - Pacific Islanders, Maori, Asian, Indian, etc.  I don't recall any racism when I was at school which I think was great considering all the different cultures in the same class.  I assume it's much the same now.

Answer 6

Yes!  If you are really interested in working with children and helping them along the learning path.  Google 'Education Gazette' this is a very good place to lok for jobs and also to get some very good information about teaching in NZ - you could also try 'TeachNZ'  and 'TKI' or 'Te Kete Ipurangi' these are also very good and have good links to the National Curriculum.

NZ is a beautiful country and the people are very easy going (the majority of them, that is) - and terrorism 'hmmm - yeah right!'

Good luck

Answer 7

Yeah, it's pretty cool

Answer 8

if you want a safer place to teach dont go to the Hawkes bay...unless your a music teacher...they will love you then! Waikato's pretty safe.