About NZGTTA

The New Zealand Graphics & Technology Teachers Association

Why Join NZGTTA?

NZGTTA is a progressive and forward-thinking subject association and PLD provider through the Networks of Expertise. We have very talented, creative, and innovative thinkers in our ranks who are future focused and also know and understand what is important. We have been serving Technology and Graphics (DVC) teachers for over 43 years and have multiple regional associations peppered around the country that allow us to do this job along with a 700+ member strong forum full of people willing to offer resources and support.

Primarily we are here to support, represent and inform the sector, and with all the changes, initiatives and developments happening in education at the moment, it has never been more important to be part of a subject association, especially as we move forward with our PLD plan with the for teachers-by-teachers ideology. It is in this area where we have been applauded for the work we have done and are doing with the support and dedication of the executive, regional representatives and subject specialists who give so willingly of their time to support others.

In the last few years NZGTTA has supported and represented the sector in the following ways:

  • Our Technology Teacher Shortage Workgroup, led by Kevin Meyer, has been working with the Ministry of Education, Teachers Council, PPTA, Industry Training Federation and some Initial Teacher Education providers which has led to trade based/qualified people gaining feasible access to becoming educators and addressing the huge shortage in the Technology learning Area, as well as making it an attractive sustainable option.
  • We are represented in reference and subject expert groups facilitated by the Ministry of Education as they progress with the NCEA Review of Assessment Standards and Curriculum Refresh, to encourage that any changes made are for the benefit of our students and teachers and reduce workload issues. We do this by first going to our sector for their thoughts and ideas.
  • Our NZGTTA webpage has fast become a treasure trove of valuable teaching and learning resources which also includes the DVC Teaching & Learning Guidelines written by Ron van Musscher and Motu Samaeli to support our DVC teachers and other subject associations are looking at this Ministry endorsed document as an exemplar for the development of their own Teaching, Learning & Assessment Guidelines.
  • The challenges of the last three years had severely slowed our progress in terms of face to face PLD around the country, but that said, our Forum came to the fore as a medium for support of the sector, we had a hugely successful Conference in Wellington in July 2021 and have supported many Accord days across the regions as we prepare for the implementation of the new Standards for NCEA and we contributed significantly to the TESAC conference in Christchurch in April 2024 as one of the 4 host technology subject associations.
  • We have a long-term partnership with BCITO which is proving hugely and mutually beneficial to both parties and our teaching sector as we move into this future where earning while you’re learning is gaining momentum in order to address the skills shortage.
  • The NZGTTA Google Forum with over 760 active members, all of whom are more than willing to answer questions, share ideas and keep others informed of current issues, initiatives, and events for our sector with non-judgemental support is another gem in our crown.
  • We have open dialogue with NZQA, MoE, PPTA and many other agencies and connections to make sure we can give the sector the most informed and up to date information.
  • NZGTTA offers free membership to trainee teachers as they are our future.
  • Our financial membership cost is low and gives you access to our networks of experts, communications and PLD, not to mention some free catering from time to time. It also allows us as a national body to access great funding to support teachers as membership numbers and reach, is an indicator for the amount of funding a Network of Expertise can access. We use membership monies to keep the association ticking over and providing representation in very important forums and so that we can utilize the NEX funding as efficiently as possible to provide support for teachers by teachers.
  • Looking forward we will play a very important role delivering PLD to support with the implementation of the new Standards. We will potentially extend our contract as a Network of Expertise to deliver PLD and will find out soon if this initiative is being continued. We hope the work we have and will be doing as a NEX will justify a continuation of this funding and type of support.
  • The teacher exchange program is a new initiative where we pair up teachers from around the country for a day or two so that they can get that one-on-one collaboration that helps to foster new ideas and thinking, and we are looking to up this initiative to a three tiar program so that all levels of experience can benefit and collaborate in this space.

Come join the association along with encouraging your peers and take advantage of all we can offer but also give back because everyone has something they can offer. We look after our people who take on the challenge of facilitating PLD or do event planning and management in their region and offer pathways within the association.

There is something for everyone whether you teach with a wood bias, metal bias, textiles bias, multi materials, electronics, product, or spatial design, MPT, DVC, Achievement Standards or Industry based Skills Standards.

We are also very big on developing leadership capacity in our ranks for both subject specialists/experts as well as project managers and with the higher-ranking opportunities come support, remuneration and professional development.

If you want to know more about becoming a member and the opportunities within that, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the following email address: mfleming@karamu.school.nz

Kind regards,
Micheal Fleming,
President NZGTTA.