A mega strike of teachers will go ahead as planned on Thursday after a meeting between the Government and the union representing primary school teachers failed to reach an agreement.
Around 50,000 teachers are striking and more than 800,000 students from preschool to year 13 will be impacted.
Deputy principal at Auckland's Waterview Primary School, Annette Herbert, told The Project co-host Kanoa Lloyd the strike isn't just about the money.
"It's not just about being in the classroom, it's not just about money, it's about everything. We're tired. We don't just get to go home and do nothing at night. We are working after school, we have meetings, and we're working weekends," Herbert said.
"We just need support. We need more resourcing to help us help the children."
Herbert told The Project teachers don't want to be striking, saying: "We are doing this because we want to be heard."
Several other teachers told The Project they are striking for a variety of reasons.
"We need support with high and complex needs. The funding model hasn't changed but the needs have," Mike Malloy from Christchurch's Knights Stream School said.
"I want to see an offer from the Government that actually addresses our claims and acknowledges the hard work that our teachers are doing for future generations," Natalie Jump from Tawa College said.
Kahli Oliveira from Konini School in Auckland told The Project: "I am striking tomorrow because our education system is in crisis."
Tāneatua School's Marama Stewart said: "Currently my kura, a little primary school, receives 30 percent less funding than a secondary school the same size as us."
Michael Harvey from Marlborough Boys' College told The Project: "The change I am hoping to see is that teachers get a fair and equitable deal."
Tip Winiata from Logan Park High School in Dunedin said: "The change I am hoping to see is for time to engage with Te Reo and tikanga. I love being a teacher."
When asked why they were striking, Rangimurua Hemi from Te Whata Tau O Pūtauaki said: "It's because our kids deserve the best so by supporting teachers our children will flourish too."
Watch the video above.
