A union's labelling the Education Minister's changes for reliever teachers a knee-jerk reaction to the current shortage.

Erica Stanford's changing who can gain a Limited Authority to Teach - allowing about 200 teachers who no longer hold registration to work as relief teachers.

It means both experts who aren’t qualified teachers and previously registered teachers, can come into classrooms as relievers.

PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says the change is essentially just putting in warm bodies to fill the gaps.

"They're looking after kids, not teaching kids or educating kids, not helping them - they're just looking after them. These kids deserve more."

LISTEN ABOVE

A union's labelling the Education Minister's changes for reliever teachers a knee-jerk reaction to the current shortage.
Erica Stanford's changing who can gain a Limited Authority to Teach - allowing about 200 teachers who no longer hold registration to work as relief teachers.
It means both experts who aren’t qualified teachers and previously registered teachers, can come into classrooms as relievers.
PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says the change is essentially just putting in warm bodies to fill the gaps.
"They're looking after kids, not teaching kids or educating kids, not helping them - they're just looking after them. These kids deserve more."
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President voices disapproval with changes to relief teaching standards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f610db8b-acdd-4b62-b5eb-b1ec014d178e/transcript

The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large. 

Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, and the federal government isn't expected to be back in surplus until 2036. 

The Australian Treasury is forecasting inflation will peak about 5%. 

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says they're dealing with the fifth economic shock in less than 20 years. 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that all the new measures the Budget introduces are backloaded, so they might be spending a bit of money now, and might not get the savings later. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large.&nbsp;
Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, and the federal government isn't expected to be back in surplus until 2036.&nbsp;
The Australian Treasury is forecasting inflation will peak about 5%.&nbsp;
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says they're dealing with the fifth economic shock in less than 20 years.&nbsp;
Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that all the new measures the Budget introduces are backloaded, so they might be spending a bit of money now, and might not get the savings later.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's new federal budget

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9414a4f5-55ec-41a9-87b0-b44900086e2e/transcript

Federated Farmers says New Zealand's sheep meat exports to the US are a win-win for both countries.  

Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed he expects the US Government to announce a trade investigation into our lamb imports in the coming weeks, as a means to impose more tariffs. 

New Zealand exported more than $600 million of sheep meat to the US last year. 

Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge our exports compliment the US production season. 

He says it allows the American consumer to get a taste for lamb, which benefits the American producers as well. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Federated Farmers says New Zealand's sheep meat exports to the US are a win-win for both countries. &nbsp;
Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed he expects the US Government to announce a trade investigation into our lamb imports in the coming weeks, as a means to impose more tariffs.&nbsp;
New Zealand exported more than $600 million of sheep meat to the US last year.&nbsp;
Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge our exports compliment the US production season.&nbsp;
He says it allows the American consumer to get a taste for lamb, which benefits the American producers as well.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Dawkins: Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair on the expected US investigation into lamb imports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/51cb9419-ba4b-456e-9560-b44801895b5d/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Jim Chalmers 4th Australian Federal Budget is out, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts. 

According to Cotality Kiwis are holding on to their homes longer than ever, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball shares his thoughts. 

Trump tariff woes are back for Kiwi lamb exporters, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins shares his concerns. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Ministers calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down and UK Government borrowing costs jumped today amid uncertainty over the future of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Jim Chalmers 4th Australian Federal Budget is out, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
According to Cotality Kiwis are holding on to their homes longer than ever, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Trump tariff woes are back for Kiwi lamb exporters, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins shares his concerns.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Ministers calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down and UK Government borrowing costs jumped today amid uncertainty over the future of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 13 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/791cf885-4000-4a7e-b860-b448012ac307/transcript

Chris Abercrombie: PPTA President voices disapproval with changes to relief teaching standards

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