TeachNZ Scholarships
If you want to inspire and guide our next generation of tamariki and are already studying at university then you might be eligible for a TeachNZ Scholarship.
There a several TeachNZ scholarships available, and each will cover fees plus pay you a living allowance.
They are open to anyone who hasn’t already completed Initial Teacher Education Training or received a scholarship before. So, if you’re a student wanting to teach science, technology, engineering or maths at secondary school or early childhood education, or you want to teach in a bilingual or full immersion language environment then we want to hear from you.
Applications are now closed for the 2023 intake.
Find out more
"My passion for biology is all thanks to Dr Salmonds."
Matt - BSc student
"Mr Tuala encouraged me to focus on my mental health."
Raewyn - LLB/BA student
"Matua Rankin got me connected with my Māori culture."
Noah - BA student
Teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand
Teaching at early learning, primary or secondary level offers you a challenging and rewarding career but also a chance to share your knowledge and help young kiwis learn and thrive.
If you are considering becoming a teacher, you’ll find helpful information here.
Ministers share their teacher stories
Teachers have an massive influence on people's lives. Hear from Minister Tinetti, Prime Minister Hipkins, Minister Davis and Minister Sio as they share their stories of teachers who influenced their lives.
Minister Tinetti's story
Hear Minister Tinetti talk about the teacher that influenced her life.
Prime Minister Hipkins' story
Hear from Prime Minister Hipkins as he talks about the teacher that influenced his life.
Minister Sio's story
Hear from Minister Sio as he shares his teacher story.
Minister Davis's story
Hear Minister Davis share his story.
How to become a teacher
All teaching qualifications in New Zealand go through a quality approval process and are approved by NZQA and the Teaching Council to ensure that graduates are eligible to apply for registration.
University entrance is the minimum requirement to study at a New Zealand university. Entry requirements to courses vary between tertiary providers. Check out individual providers’ websites for more information.
Many tertiary providers recommend bridging or foundation qualifications for people who don’t meet the entry requirements for teaching programmes. These programmes may be up to one year long and can provide flexibility if you have other commitments. Get in touch with the tertiary provider to discuss options if you want to know more about bridging or foundation qualifications.
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand also requires you demonstrate that you are of good character and fit to be a teacher.
The time it takes to gain a teaching qualification will vary depending on your previous study and whether you study full-time or part-time.
To qualify as an early childhood education or primary teacher it usually takes three years’ full-time study. To qualify as a secondary teacher it usually takes four years full-time study. Study is usually expected to be completed within six years.
A Graduate Diploma of Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning and a Master of Teaching and Learning are programmes that are between one and two years of study and are for people who already have completed an undergraduate degree.
Check out the tertiary providers’ websites for more information about the qualifications on offer or use our Study Options search tool to check out what options are available.
There's a huge range of study options available, so use this search tool to help you choose a programme that suits you. All the programmes listed here will lead to teacher registration and all the providers are fully accredited to offer these qualifications.
Once you’ve chosen a course, contact the relevant tertiary provider. They'll be able to give you more information about their qualifications, entry criteria, application forms and study dates.
There are lots of options to study for a teaching qualification that focuses on te reo Māori and te ao Māori, including a range of options for teaching in bilingual or full immersion settings. There are also study options focusing on Pacific languages, culture and identity. Use our Study Options search tool to check out what options are available from different providers.
Use our search tool to help you choose a programme that suits you.
There are language competency requirements to start studying in an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme and to register as a teacher in New Zealand.
Language competency requirements look at the language skills you have in te reo Māori and English. You need to show skills in one or other of these languages.
You can show you have these skills in different ways. You can provide different evidence to show your skills. There are now lots of different types of English Language tests you can use. This is a change from what you may have heard before, where there was just one type of test you could use.
If you are thinking of studying an ITE programme or looking to register as a teacher in Aotearoa, you can check the requirements on a one-page fact sheet in 9 Pacific languages and English below:
One page factsheet - Gagana Sāmoa
One page leaflet - Gagana Tokelau
One page factsheet - Lea Faka-Tonga
One page factsheet - Fäeag Rotuḁm
One page factsheet - Gana Tuvalu
One page factsheet - Te reo Māori Kūki ‘Aīrani
One page factsheet - Vosa vaka-Viti
One page factsheet - vagahau Niue
One page factsheet - te Taetae ni Kiribati
You can find more information on the requirements in a three-page booklet in nine Pacific languages and English below:
English Language Requirements - vagahau Niue
English Language requirements - gagana Sāmoa
English language requirements - te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani
English language requirements - Te Taetae ni kiribati
English language requirements - Vosa vaka-Viti
English language requirements - Fäeag Rotuḁm
English language requirements - lea faka-Tonga
English language requirements - te gana Tuvalu
Employment-based initial teacher education (ITE) aims to attract high calibre students into teaching and give them the skills and knowledge they need to meet the needs of diverse learners. Under employment-based ITE, teacher trainees are employed by schools as teachers while studying for their teaching qualification, instead of being based in universities.
It allows you to earn while you learn, build confidence with more in-classroom experience, while being supported by a strong mentoring programme. The Ministry of Education provides funding for a mentor teacher to work with you.
The role of mentoring a trainee teacher is a partnership between the ITE provider, the Board and the fully registered associate teacher(s). The ITE provider will be able to supply information setting out the roles and responsibilities of each partner.
If you decide to train as a teacher, TeachNZ has a number of scholarships available. To be eligible for one of these scholarships you must be studying an approved teaching qualification.
The following are approved qualifications and available for download in PDF or spreadsheet format.
Thanks kaiako teachers
Still unsure? Hear from students across the motu talking about their teachers and the influence they have had on their lives.
Thanks Teachers
Teachers have a huge influence on their students' lives. Could you remember the names of teachers who have influenced your life?
Maya's story
Hear from Maya and the influence her teacher had on her.
Scholarships
TeachNZ provides a number of scholarships for people wishing to qualify as a teacher in New Zealand.
Learn about the scholarships available for students who want to study to become teachers.
Scholarships – TeachNZ
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