New Zealand's education union is confident a resolution will come out of today's strike.
Around 29,000 educators will be out making their case at public events and rallies across New Zealand on the first primary teachers strike for 24 years.
- Primary teachers' pay offer should be doubled - principal
- Where you can take your kids during tomorrow's teachers' strike
- Jacinda Ardern blames nine year 'valve of pressure' for multiple strike actions
Supporters of the strike have said poor pay and working conditions are leading to teachers leaving the profession in droves and lower numbers of those studying to teach.
Lynda Stuart from the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI) told Newshub the strike is a significant moment, saying it's "time for people to show their support for teachers and to principals across the country."
The pay rise offered ranges from a 6.1 percent increase for the top of the pay scale, which would have made the maximum teacher's salary about $80,600, to a 14.7 percent increase to the entry salary, bringing that to $55,030.
But teachers have asked for a 16 percent increase over two years, alongside extra learning support and more time for teaching.
Ms Stuart says strike action was educators' last option and it shows how serious the situation is.
"Teachers don't do this lightly, principals don't do this lightly at all," she said. "That actually shows the level of concern that there is out there."
Newshub.
