Photo: ODT filesSecondary principals say the worsening shortage of teachers is forcing schools to cancel subjects and hire untrained teachers. Education Ministry figures showed schools this year faced a bigger shortfall of secondary teachers than previously expected. The ministry's figures showed that while there were too few secondary teachers, there was a surplus of primary school teachers. However the ministry's report said primary schools in Taranaki, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty faced persistent shortages over the next three years. "Currently, we have more teachers in the workforce since records began in 2004, with the largest year-on-year increase for primary teachers in 2024 and for secondary teachers in 2025."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 27, 2026 08:08 UTC