Tauranga teachers talk about why they are striking

Phoebe Wilson, 30, Golden Sands school teacher. Photo / Sandra Conchie

The Bay of Plenty Times asked teachers on the picket line at the corner of Hull Rd and Maunganui Rd yesterday why they were taking strike action.

Year 2 Mount Maunganui Primary teacher Karen Reed on the picket line. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"This is more than just about pay. The majority of it has to do with having enough time to teach and addressing workloads and reducing the long hours we spend away from our families after school, especially during weekends."

— Karen Reed, Mount Maunganui Primary

Phoebe Wilson, 30, Golden Sands school teacher. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"The Education Minister hasn't addressed anything to do with our increasing workloads particularly having to support students with challenging needs. This means the pressure on teachers is really high."

—Phoebe Wilson, Golden Sands School

Dan Priest, 28, teacher at Taumata School set open next year. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"Pay is only one issue. The main thing we want is to have appropriate conditions including reduced workloads which the Minister has not yet addressed... I know about 10 people considering leaving teaching because of workload pressures."

—Dan Priest, Taumata School

Arlenna Porteners, 35, Taumata School set to open next year. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"Next year will be my first year teaching in the classroom. I also have children of my own. As a parent and teacher, I'm concerned about our workloads, particularly the support we need to give children with learning difficulties."

— Arlenna Porteners, Taumata School

Papamoa Primary teacher Damian Giroufsky. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"As a teacher and a parent I am so concerned about the future for my children as much as any other parent would be. This isn't just about pay but workloads and conditions too. Teachers love to teach and we're not taking strike action lightly."

— Damian Giroufsky, Papamoa Primary

Tiepa Tahana, 43, Year 5-6 teacher at Papamoa Primary. Photo / Sandra Conchie

"As a parent of two young girls I know the huge workload pressures teachers are under, and the extra support and time we need to give children in the classroom only puts extra stress families as well."
— Tiepa Tahana, Papamoa Primary