Contact National Office

NZEI Head Office

PO Box 466
Wellington
nzei@nzei.org.nz
Ph (04) 384 9689 Fax (04) 3851772

President: Irene Cooper

Irene Cooper has been principal at Hillcrest Normal School in Hamilton, which has 500 children and 30 staff, since 1996. She was elected NZEI's President in September 2005. Read more about Irene.

Message from Irene to NZEI members

National Secretary: Lynne Bruce

Matua Takawaenga: Laures Park

A message from NZEI Te Riu Roa President Irene Cooper

"A warm hello to all NZEI members in schools and centres across New Zealand. We have a world class public education system and I know you all work incredibly hard to make our schools and centres even better, and to lift the performance of children who are under-achieving.

"The challenge for NZEI in 2006 is to ensure that everyone working in the state primary system and in early childhood centres have the resources they need. The politicians and the Ministry demand a Rolls-Royce system but provide the resources to run a Mini,” says Irene.

“Right now we’re in danger of trying to beat the record of how much you can pack into a Mini, without looking at the damage that can cause to the people involved in keeping that Mini on the road.”

Getting a fairer deal for support staff are also high priorities for Irene and NZEI in 2006.

“Teaching is in my blood,” says Irene. "My mother was a teacher and I’m proud to have become one as well. After more than 30 years in the profession I still love the job. I love to see children enjoying school and enjoying learning. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I hope all NZEI members find similar fufilment professionally in 2006".