It is a Union, structured as an incorporated society established for the purpose of collective bargaining for work undertaken in state and state-integrated schools by principals in: (a) Primary schools (including normal schools, model schools and intermediate schools); (b) Composite schools other than area schools; (c) Special schools.
The PPCB negotiating team will be negotiating on your behalf in the collective bargaining process.

Principals need their own representatives at the bargaining table. In this way, principals are working for principals and so the needs and aspirations of principals are to the fore. You can expect the PPCB bargaining team to work for better terms and conditions in your Collective Agreement.

PPCB and NZEI will both be representing principals in the collective bargaining process. PPCB aims to work constructively with NZEI to present a single strong claim.

Yes, PPCB is a separate entity from NZPF. However, NZPF and PPCB have a close relationship. As PPCB serves principals, the PPCB Constitution requires that members belong to NZPF to join. NZPF have a representative on the Board of PPCB. This enables NZPF to have a voice in the work of PPCB and be closely aligned in working together to join professional advocacy to industrial in the best interests of principals.

PPCB is a separate entity to NZPF. You do not have to belong to any Union but if you choose, you are free to belong to the Union of your choice or both Unions.

Yes, you can belong to PPCB as a member from the date you join. If you are a member of PPCB only or if you are a dual member of NZEI and PPCB and nominate PPCB to be your bargaining agent, you will be represented by PPCB in Collective Bargaining.

The approach taken by PPTA and SPANZ is for a joint claim to be presented after PPTA and SPANZ have negotiated the claim together. That joint claim is then taken into Collective Bargaining with negotiators from PPTA and SPANZ participating.

The Ministry of Education’s approach to the joint bargaining of PPTA and SPANZ is the expectation of a single Collective Agreement outcome.

Ratification between the membership of both Unions occurs through a memorandum of understanding-PPTA and SPANZ agrees to seek ratification of the agreed outcome of bargaining from their respective members. Both Union’s votes are tabulated and counted to establish an outcome across the whole principal community irrespective of which Union they belong to.

PPCB works on behalf of those principals in the Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement to negotiate pay and working conditions. Unfortunately, this does not currently extend to other agreements. It is anticipated that other Collectives will be considered once PPCB is established.

PPCB is wholly funded by membership subscription. This will be invoiced upon joining up.

PPCB is not funded by the Ministry of Education. As PPCB is established, its initial operating costs will be underwritten by a loan from NZPF. This is required to be repaid by PPCB within a two-year period.

Yes, PPCB has been modelled on a comprehensive analysis of the SPANZ operating costs. Accurate modelling, planning, and contingency are provided to ensure PPCB is robust.

Our Principal Support Officer, Denise Torrey, can offer support and guidance, however PPCB’s main focus is collective bargaining. We recommend that you have your own insurance such as the PASL scheme (see the NZPF website for more information on this). The PPCB membership fee is set low so you can also subscribe to PASL. Membership to both gives you strong representation and legal protection. 

Yes, we do! Denise Torrey is our Principal Support Officer. The PSO acts as a liaison between the union and primary school principals, offering assistance, guidance, and advocacy to ensure the well-being and professional development of union members in leadership positions. The primary focus of this role is to empower and support primary school principals, while also ensuring compliance with union policies and objectives. For more specific legal advice and support, PASL provides an excellent hotline service and on-the-ground employment support should it be required. NZSTA offers advice to principals in their role as the employer’s designate.

We are stronger when we work together – collaboration is the way of the future.

Being represented by a Union focused on principals, you can be sure that principals’ perspectives will be canvassed, shared, and represented at the collective bargaining table.

In 2024, the cost to join PPCB is $280. This is paid on joining and then invoiced every subsequent year on the anniversary of your joining. 

The law requires that a Union fee is paid by the member, not the member’s employer.

A single payment upon invoice is required within two months of joining PPCB.

Currently, 50% of all principals belong to PASL. Membership in PASL is recommended but not compulsory.

At the moment, you will be covered by either the PPCB Collective Agreement (CA), the NZEI CA, or have an individual employment agreement with your employer.

Joining PPCB means you are supporting PPCB to be working up the claims for the next Collective Agreement and therefore be a party to the next Collective.

PPCB will be able to advise you about the terms and conditions of your Collective Agreement including obligations to your employer and entitlements.

Yes, this is our strength and focus! PPCB will survey PPCB members on the terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement. This information will be used in negotiating the Collective Agreement.

The bargaining team appointed by PPCB will take any reasonable offer from the Ministry of Education back to the membership for ratification.