Judith Collins corrects claim regarding secondary school teacher pay

Tuesday 19 August 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Tue 19 Aug 2025, 1:53pm

In this story Erica Stanford, Judith Collins, Post Primary Teachers' Association

Public Service Minister Judith Collins has admitted to mixing up her messaging after claiming an average teacher with ten years of experience earns $147,000. This error follows the Post Primary Teachers Association's decision to strike on Wednesday after being offered a 1% pay increase.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZTue 19 Aug 2025, 1:08pm

   'Mixed up my messages' - Collins corrects $147K teacher pay claim (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldTue 19 Aug 2025, 1:22pm

   Labour MP says minister’s error over secondary school teachers’ pay will be ‘harmful’ (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZTue 19 Aug 2025, 1:44pm

   'Mixed up my messages' - Collins corrects teacher pay claim (opens in new tab)

4. StuffTue 19 Aug 2025, 1:49pm

   Judith Collins says she got it wrong, the average teacher is not earning $140k (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesTue 19 Aug 2025, 1:53pm

   Collins admits she 'mixed up' $147K teacher pay claim (opens in new tab)