Around 1,000 primary school teaching places could be unfilled next year if New Zealand’s government keeps its pledge to cut new entrants’ class sizes from 23 to 18 children.

Writing today in the Sunday Star Times, Catherine Woulfe describes a situation in which Auckland and Waikato are suffering teacher shortages.

Documents, from April this year, showed Education Minister Steve Maharey’s staff warned him that “approximately two thirds of the 700 (extra) positions will not be able to be filled” without employing teachers from overseas.

The documents showed that the ministry is hoping a jump in the number of graduating and former teachers heading into schools will ease the situation.

But even the most optimistic projections leave 423 jobs to be filled by recruiting teachers from overseas.

Further documents, obtained by the opposition National Party, revealed that in order to have primary teachers placed on the Immediate Skills Shortage List, Maharey had to repeatedly plead with his colleague, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe.

In July - after Maharey’s third request - Cunliffe agreed.

“The listing meant teachers shifting to NZ will have their visas and work permits fast-tracked, and relocation costs will be covered ‘where appropriate’.”