Parents at a Wellington school say they have childcare covered during tomorrow's strike by primary and intermediate teachers.
Principal Traci Liddall at South Wellington Intermediate School prepares a banner for the teachers strike. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Principals are expecting most of the country's 1945 primary and intermediate schools to close tomorrow when about 29,000 teachers and principals strike in support of their collective agreement claim.
At Wellington's Mount Cook School, several parents said they would work from home or take the day off work to look after their children.
"I'm fortunate enough to work for myself and have worked all weekend about 30 hours in two days so I'm stuffed and need a day off anyway," Tim, one of the student's parent, told RNZ News.
Matthew is looking forward to spending time with his children on the teachers' strike day. Photo: RNZ/ John Gerritsen
Another father, Matthew, said he was looking forward to a day with his children.
"We're having a family day. Haven't planned it down to the ground yet, but great opportunity to have some time as a family, get out, get active," he said.
Another parent, Emma, said the strike would not be disruptive for her family.
"I'm at home normally on a Wednesday so it's not a work day for me. We're having a friend to play, his parents are at work, so we're having a long play date really. I think the kids will be delighted."
The parents RNZ News spoke to were also supportive of the teacher strike.
"If we want to keep people in the sector, they've got to be paid better," said Megan.
"They do an amazing job of work and I'm fully supportive of any extra the government's go to give them," said Lauren.
Wellington parent, Emma, says the teachers' strike would not disrupt her family plans. Photo: RNZ/John Gerritsen
Another Wellington parent, Giovanni Tiso, said he would be taking two of his children who are primary school-aged children to the strike.
"It seems like the most obvious thing to do for us. People talk about how we should have more civics education at schools, so it's a great opportunity for a bit of civics education," he said.
New Zealand Educational Institute national secretary Paul Goulter said he hoped the strike would prompt the Education Ministry to improve its offer to teachers and principals.
He said if that did not happen it would be up to the union's members to decide if they needed to take any further action.
"We work constantly with our membership in bringing back offers and positions to them. They tell us which way they want it to go and we make that happen," he said.
Mr Goulter would not say how much the two sides had budged in negotiations already, but the talks were scheduled to resume next week.