Empowering Overseas-Trained Teachers in Auckland’s Early Childhood Education Sector
- Del Costello
- Feb 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Auckland’s early childhood education (ECE) sector is a reflection of the city itself—vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving. In centres across Tāmaki Makaurau, tamariki are growing up surrounded by multiple languages, rich cultural traditions, and different worldviews. Their early learning experiences are shaped not just by what they are taught, but by the people who teach them.
Many of these educators have come from across the world, bringing with them unique knowledge, passion, and expertise.
" According to the Education Review Office, in the 10 years to 2019 there was an average of just over 600 overseas teachers teaching in New Zealand schools each year. Immigration New Zealand granted 1,071 visas to teachers in 2023 and 759 visas in 2024. With ongoing workforce shortages and supportive immigration policies, the current decade will see greater numbers of overseas teachers.
The majority of these teachers hailed from China, South Africa, the Philippines, India, the United Kingdom and Fiji. There were also several teachers from South Korea granted residence visas, and several teachers from Ireland granted work visas." https://www.pathwaysnz.com/news-item/teaching-in-new-zealand
But, stepping into Aotearoa’s ECE sector is not without its challenges. From understanding Te Whāriki to navigating new regulations and bicultural expectations, the journey can feel overwhelming.
That’s why Coactive Education, with the generous support of the Ministry of Education’s SELO programme, is launching the Overseas Trained Teachers Support 2025 in the MoE Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata (North West) region. This programme is about more than just professional learning—it’s about recognising the value of our overseas-trained kaiako, giving them the tools and confidence to succeed, and ensuring they feel a sense of belonging in their new professional home.
Facilitators Who Truly Understand Overseas-Trained Teachers
At the heart of this initiative are facilitators who have walked this path themselves. Preety Sehgal and Elin Pettersson know first-hand the challenges, fears, and triumphs of being an internationally trained educator in New Zealand.
“I can empathize deeply with their fears—the fear of being wrong, the fear of losing themselves in a new system. But I also know the joy that awaits them on the other side. Teaching in New Zealand has taught me that growth comes from embracing uncertainty, building strong relationships, and trusting the process.”— Preety Sehgal
Preety, originally from India, and Elin, from Sweden, have each spent over a decade in Aotearoa’s ECE sector, taking on roles as centre managers, team leaders, ERO reviewers and professional learning consultants. Their experiences, insights, and deep empathy ensure that this programme is not just informative—but truly transformative.
Embracing the Future of ECE in New Zealand
The landscape of early childhood education is changing, and the future is diverse, inclusive, and enriched by multiple perspectives. As Auckland’s ECE sector continues to grow, it is vital that our educators feel empowered, valued, and supported—no matter where their teaching journey began.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Education’s Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata (North West) team for their commitment to this vision. Their dedication to equitable, high-quality early learning ensures that overseas-trained teachers receive the guidance and mentorship they need to flourish.
In the end, this is about more than just training. It’s about community, connection, and ensuring that every teacher who comes to Aotearoa knows they belong here. Because when our educators feel supported, our tamariki thrive. And that is a future worth investing in.
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