What is Nzei
Overview
NZEI Te Riu Roa is a New Zealand union representing primary and early childhood education teachers and staff.
It provides membership services, collective bargaining, professional support and advocacy for educators.
Who it serves
Membership is income‑based and available to eligible education workers across New Zealand.
Benefits include representation, member-only resources and access to courses and support services.
How to cancel Nzei
General cancellation steps
- Submit the NZEI cancellation form and select a cancellation date at least 4 weeks (1 month) ahead.
- Ensure your chosen date allows for the one‑month notice period required for most cancellation methods.
Cancellation by payment method
- Direct debit or credit card: NZEI will cancel payments for you; a final payment may occur within the one‑month notice period.
- Payroll deductions via EdPay: NZEI will contact EdPay to stop deductions; timing depends on EdPay's payroll cycle.
- Automatic bank payments: You must cancel these directly with your bank; NZEI cannot cancel them for you.
- Payroll deductions not via EdPay: Instruct your payroll officer to stop deductions and provide your membership number.
- Invoice payments: Any open invoices will be cancelled by NZEI after you submit the cancellation form.
What happens when you cancel
Membership end date
Your membership will end after the one‑month (4 weeks) notice period from the date you select on the cancellation form.
Payments scheduled within that notice period may still be taken as a final payment.
Access and records
Your access to member benefits, resources and representation will typically stop when your membership ends.
NZEI will retain membership records according to its policies; check their privacy policy or contact NZEI for details.
Will I get a refund?
Official refund policy
NZEI's publicly available membership information does not describe a refund policy for membership fees.
There is no explicit mention of refunds in the materials summarised for cancellation.
Exceptions and cooling‑off
- There is no reference to a statutory 14‑day cooling‑off period or automatic refund entitlement in the membership materials.
- If you believe you are owed a refund or have special circumstances, contact NZEI directly to request a review.
Nzei plans and pricing
Standard monthly plans
| Plan | Price (NZ$) | Period | Features |
| Membership (gross fortnightly income up to $530.94) | 6.30 | Monthly | Union membership based on income bracket |
| Membership (gross fortnightly income $2,208.74+) | 65.40 | Monthly | Union membership at top income bracket |
| Other brackets and frequencies | Varies by bracket | Fortnightly / Quarterly / Semi‑annual / Annual | Rates vary across five brackets (e.g. NZ$2.89 to NZ$30.02 fortnightly) |
Notes on payment frequency
Membership can be payable fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, six‑monthly or annually depending on your selection.
Confirm your exact rate and payment frequency on NZEI's official fee schedule.
Your consumer rights in New Zealand
Statutory rights summary
Consumer protections in New Zealand cover many purchases and services, but union memberships are treated differently in practice.
NZEI's membership cancellation policy does not reference statutory refund or cooling‑off rights.
What to do if you disagree
- If you think a payment or cancellation was handled incorrectly, contact NZEI's membership team first for resolution.
- If unresolved, you may seek independent guidance from Consumer NZ or the Commerce Commission about your options.
Customer experiences
Positive experiences
Some members report useful, practical courses and flexible online learning that helped with careers and skill development.
Video‑based, self‑paced training was praised for accessibility and implementable teaching content.
Negative experiences
Other feedback highlights concerns about student support, workload, assessment harshness and perceived focus on revenue.
Some members felt course value did not match cost or that online delivery quality could be improved.
Documentation checklist
Essential documents to prepare
- Completed NZEI cancellation form with chosen cancellation date (at least 4 weeks ahead).
- Your NZEI membership number (required for payroll and membership queries).
- Photo ID or other identity verification if requested by NZEI.
Additional items that may help
- Payroll officer contact details if you use non‑EdPay payroll deductions.
- Bank details or proof of automated payment to cancel direct debits with your bank if needed.
- Copies of recent invoices or payment confirmations if disputing charges.
Common mistakes
Missing the notice period
Choosing a cancellation date less than 4 weeks ahead can result in an extra payment during the notice period.
Always select a date at least one month in the future to align with NZEI's notice requirement.
Not cancelling automatic bank payments
Members sometimes assume NZEI can stop automatic bank payments; NZEI cannot cancel these for you.
Failure to cancel a bank automatic payment with your bank can lead to continued deductions after membership ends.
Comparative recap
Quick method comparison
| Method | Notice Required | User Action | Refund / Final Payment |
| Direct debit or credit card | 1 month (4 weeks) | No action - NZEI will cancel payments for you | Final payment may occur within the notice period |
| Payroll deductions via EdPay | 1 month (4 weeks) | No action - NZEI contacts EdPay; timing depends on EdPay cycle | Final deduction timing depends on payroll cycle |
| Automatic bank payments | 1 month (4 weeks) | You must cancel with your bank; NZEI cannot cancel | NZEI does not manage refunds; check bank reversal options |
| Payroll (not via EdPay) | 1 month (4 weeks) | Tell your payroll officer to stop deductions and give membership number | Final deduction may occur depending on payroll timing |
| Invoice payments | 1 month (4 weeks) | No action - open invoices will be cancelled by NZEI | No refund policy stated; open invoices cancelled |
Key takeaways
- All cancellation methods observe a one‑month (4 weeks) notice period.
- For bank automatic payments you must act directly with your bank to stop future deductions.
- There is no clear public refund policy - contact NZEI if you need clarity or dispute charges.
After cancelling
What to monitor
Check your bank or card statements to confirm no further deductions occur after the notice period ends.
Confirm with your payroll officer that deductions have stopped if payroll‑based.
Useful links
Address
Postal address for correspondence
PO Box 466, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
When to use the postal address
Use the postal address for written membership cancellation requests or supporting documents if requested.
Consider also submitting the online cancellation form and contacting NZEI for confirmation of receipt.