Essentially, the problem all boils down to this: the teacher payroll system adopted by the New Zealand government in 2012 is "stuffed up" (that's Kiwi for 'messed up,' 'FUBARed, ' snafued, or oopsie!). Under NovoPay, teachers are getting incorrect amounts, not being paid at all, have misdirected taxes, child support, retirement funds, student loan payments, . . . the list goes on.
Before 2012, and during my first months of teaching in New Zealand, teacher pay was administered by Datacom Group, a NZ based group. The pay was on time and correct. However, the Ministry of Education decided that the system was not modern enough and did not supply the data the Ministry 'needed.' Wanting to move to a web-based, modern payroll system, the NZ Government hired Talant2, an Australian company, to administer the nation's teacher payroll system.
NovoPay has been a complete disaster with no end in sight. The latest news report can be seen HERE.
Many of my colleagues at Garin College have incorrect pay or no pay at all. This morning we had a little protest at the roundabout (that's where the traffic is) to enthusiastic support. Both the Principal and Deputy Principal came to the protest in support as well (or else he was just trying to find all the teacher's who weren't at the staff meeting). There was a story in the Nelson Mail about our little work action, though I don't think John Key had much interest.
Below is a photo of some of the worthy protesters:
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