Structure

TPANZ does not have a party political wing, or any other body set up which could take priority over our members' interests. Teachers' interests are our only interests. We only support public education policy issues which benefit teachers first and foremost.

Our constitution not only prohibits party-political financial contributions, but any future executive who attempts it will find themselves personally liable for any members' monies contributed to a political party or a party political cause. This means that members' money or resources can in practice never be used for any party political purposes.

Other than for the inaugural period (whilst systems and training are being developed) the Executive, meaning the President, Vice President and Treasurer, must change every two years. There will always be fresh blood at the top. Unlike many unions, there are no jobs for life in TPANZ.

The elected teachers' executive makes policy. The contracted service providers, who are the business people and the legal and industrial relations specialists, conduct service delivery. We keep both arms separate, so support for member issues stays tightly managed and the union stays financially viable.

Members can form branches to better represent regional, sectional or facilitative interests. TPANZ runs from the members up, not from the top down. Branches automatically get a share of the membership fees, and, with the support of their branch members, can also raise voluntary levies to help fund their specific branch interests. TPANZ keeps its fees low, so there is room for modest levies if branch members vote for them. Branch finances are controlled by the branch executive, not the national executive, so branch monies are spent on what branch members want.

The constitution sets out a policy development process. Policy continues to be developed by working and practising teacher members, and as a result promotes what teachers see as important, not what union officials would want.