Prior to 1984 teaching was a valued commodity in New Zealand. Teachers were, in general, strongly supported by successive governments and by the Department of Education, which was largely staffed by ex-teachers and consulted closely with the profession on most matters. However, since the new right revolution, brought in by the third Labour…

Examines the repositioning of teachers in the education system, state, and civil society, caused by recent educational reform in New Zealand. Argues that the reforms have aimed to remove teachers from their professional role, reducing them merely to classroom teachers. Concludes that, in response, teachers have built up new democratic alliances…

Presenting recent educational reforms in New Zealand and the impact they have had on teachers, this paper gives a brief overview of the historical position of teachers in an education system that categorized them in a particular way as "professionals." Beginning in 1987, changes within New Zealand government have caused a repositioning…