Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Education
13 December 2012
Novopay – No Pay – Over Pay – Over It
New Zealand First is calling on the Minister of Education to come clean on how long she is willing to allow the error
riddled Novopay to continue to seriously stress out school staff who have lost all confidence in the system.
The latest pay round has seen some not paid and others grossly overpaid as new problems with the system emerge.
Education spokesperson Tracey Martin says the lack of accountability shows just how out of touch the Minister is with
those working on the front line of schools administration.
Ms Martin says school staff should not have to rush to their banks in the hope they have been paid.
“No other business sector would allow this kind of disaster to continue for this length of time without suffering
serious consequences.
“It is only due to the unique qualities of those who work with our children and their love of teaching which sees them
tolerate this unacceptable situation.
“Christmas is an extremely stressful time of the year for many and the continual uncertainty around getting paid is
adversely impacting on school staff.
“I’m in full support and agree with principals around the country who just can’t believe how bad the system is.
“Administration staff are taking the continual pay problems personally even though they are doing all they can to ensure
they are filing to Novopay correctly.
“Today they need to focus on Start of Year pay which needs to be filed by January 13 and those working in the secondary
sector will only have one day to submit as they finish for the year tomorrow and aren’t back from holiday until after
this date.
“Given the current performance record of Novopay I don’t like the chances of it being a happy start to the New Year.
“School staff have had enough, they are over it,” says Ms Martin.
ENDS