2024 and many changes to come

We have been working on providing feedback on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill. The changes are interesting in that there appears to be a bigger focus on Mental Health and addiction services that the Minister will look at strategising.

Therapists in schools will receive a significant pay increase of up to 34% after therapists covered by the pay equity claim voted to accept the proposed settlement.

A comprehensive investigation conducted by NZEI Te Riu Roa and the Ministry of Education confirmed that the value of the skills, responsibilities and demands of the mahi of therapists covered by the claim had been significantly undervalued because of their gender.

“By correcting the gender-based undervaluation, the skills of therapists across the education sector are recognised,” says Tauranga speech language therapist, Conor Fraser.

“Pay equity means we are fairly compensated for the incredible work we do, not surviving only on our desire to help and support tamariki and whānau.”