Education leaders in Northland say the numbers reflect a reality many schools in the region have been dealing with for years. NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association president Andrew King said recruiting new teachers was hard across the board, but particularly difficult for small, rural and isolated schools. “Because you do not necessarily have the same teacher for the whole year and likewise you might constantly have changing teachers. Children need consistency and a professional relationship with a teacher that they have known for a while to optimise learning. “Northland schools and kura, like all schools in New Zealand, are responsible for recruitment of the staff they need.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 14, 2026 23:48 UTC