Apply now!

Tēnā koe!

If you are looking to apply for the Teach First NZ Programme you are in the right place. Join our community of Kairapu (change-seekers), working together for systemic change in education and in broader society. We are so glad that you feel called to this teaching and service journey.

Applications for the first round of recruitment to join the 2026 Cohort are now open!

Submit your application now to be considered.

Contact [email protected] or call 0800 TO LEAD with any pātai (questions).

Click the apply button to start an application.

The online application is your first chance to share your story: your experiences, achievements, and motivations for working towards social change in Aotearoa. You can write your answers directly into the form, or you may wish to check out the questions and prepare your answers in a separate document to be copied over. You can also save your application progress and return to it later.

What happens after I submit my application?

We make sure to get to know you as much as possible before making an offer, and want to make sure you have a good idea of how we roll, too.

Interview

Successful applicants will be invited to an interview via Phone or Zoom. This is an opportunity to share your commitment to serving low-income communities in secondary schools and the contribution you believe you will make to our kaupapa.

Ako Centre

Success in an interview will lead you to a one-day Ako Centre - either online or in person - incorporating a pepeha process, an interview, a group exercise, a sample teaching lesson and self-reflections.

Offer

If you are successful at an Ako Centre, congratulations! You will be made an offer to start your leadership journey with Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ.

Key timelines

The Teach First NZ Programme starts with a seven-week Summer Intensive in mid-November each year. Participants will begin working in their employing partner school in the following year.

Our commitment to you

Ako Mātātupu is committed to honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi in every aspect of our work. We welcome all applications and work hard to ensure our recruitment process is equitable and culturally sustaining.

If you have any questions, or would like to advise us of any individual considerations at any stage in the process, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on 0800 86 5323.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawa nui.

Ngā mihi,
The Ako Mātātupu Recruitment team