Porirua City Council is supporting local teachers concerned about national standards - the first local government authority in New Zealand to do so.
At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors voted to support teachers in pursuing more talks with Education Minister Ann Tolley.
Six out of 33 Porirua schools have signed a petition saying they will not be setting national standard targets in reading, writing and maths next year.
The principal of Holy Family School, Karl Vasau, was one of those who signed, and says he values the move to fix what he says are some flaws in the national standards.
Mr Vasau says the move sends a message to other councils that they too can also support teachers.
Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett says the council is not for or against the standards - it just wants the Government to engage with communities.