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Overseas teachers struggling to find accommodation in housing squeeze

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 15 Feb 2019, 6:43AM
(Photo / Getty Images)

Overseas teachers struggling to find accommodation in housing squeeze

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 15 Feb 2019, 6:43AM

Overseas teachers are struggling to find housing in Auckland's squeezed housing market.

Nearly 250 overseas teachers have started working across the country in an effort to alleviate staffing shortages.

However, they are struggling to find accommodation with one principal in Auckland opening up her own home to two new staff members.

Secondary Principals' Associations vice president, Vaughan Couillault told Kate Hawkesby schools are struggling to help teachers with accommodation.

"We aren't resourced at all but it's something you do because you're a nice human being."

"If you have a new employee that works for you, you want to take care of their well being as they land," he said.

"So as part of your orientation, or just generally caring for employees, you go that extra mile to make sure they are settled and able to be at their very best for their students."

He said moving to another country is a big change and it's important teachers are supported.

However, he said the struggle to find accommodation isn't new.

"Whenever, I've recruited an overseas teacher, there has always been that accommodation dilemma. It's probably a little bit more acute now because of the surge in overseas teachers we are having to recruit to meet the shortage."

Couillault said the level of support teachers will get will depend on where they work.

However, he said he hasn't heard any horror stories of an overseas teacher turning down a job because they couldn't find somewhere to live.

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