Purpose of the Council

The NZ Teachers Council is to provide professional leadership in teaching, enhance the professional status of teachers in schools and early childhood education and contribute to a safe and high quality teaching and learning environment for children and other learners.

To provide professional leadership to teachers and others involved in schools and early childhood education
To encourage best teaching practice
To carry out the functions relating to teacher registration
To determine standards for teacher registration and the issue of practicing certificates
To establish and maintain standards for qualifications that lead to teacher registration
To conduct, in conjunction with quality assurance agencies, approvals of teacher education programmes on the basis of the standards referred to above
To develop a code of ethics for teachers
To exercise the disciplinary functions relating to teacher misconduct and reports of teacher convictions
To set the criteria for reporting serious misconduct and for reporting on competence issues
To exercise the functions relating to teacher competence
To coordinate a system providing for the vetting by police of all teachers and other people employed in schools and early childhood services
To identify research priorities and, where appropriate, to promote and sponsor research according to those priorities
Exercise any other functions conferred on it by this Act, or by the Minister

In carrying out its purpose the NZ Teachers Council will:

Work with other agencies and organisations in education to promote a quality teaching profession
Work towards ensuring that the Council's operations are in keeping with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Assist school authorities in meeting their obligations under the Act
Establish working relationships with registration or licensing authorities in other countries and implement the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition agreement with Australian states
Consult teacher and employer organisations and advise other bodies involved in the accreditation of qualifications and in the selection, appraisal and supply of teachers into education
Consult with the Minister over major policy changes
Maintain a high quality professional profile in its activities and communications and look for ways to improve its services to inform teachers and employers
Pursue equal employment opportunities for all staff and operate a personnel policy that complies with the State Sector Act