Tertiary Lecturer Pūkenga Whare Wānanga

Tertiary lecturers teach at universities, Te Pūkenga, wānanga and other post-secondary education providers. They also carry out research and do administrative tasks. 

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Tertiary lecturers may do some or all of the following:

  • prepare and give lectures, workshops and tutorials to students
  • prepare and mark assignments, essays and exams
  • give academic advice to students and supervise their research
  • do research, write reports and publish articles on their subject area
  • attend and present at conferences on their subject area.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for tertiary lecturers includes:

  • work in your field of subject expertise
  • teaching or tutoring experience.

Personal Qualities

Tertiary lecturers need to be:

  • excellent at communicating, including being able to network effectively with other academics and professionals
  • good at planning and organising
  • able to understand different cultures
  • skilled at analysing information
  • skilled at using problem-solving skills
  • approachable and open-minded
  • enquiring and accurate when carrying out research.

Skills

Tertiary lecturers need to have:

  • up-to-date knowledge of their subject area
  • teaching and lecturing skills
  • research skills, and up-to-date knowledge of research methods
  • skills in different styles of writing, such as writing courses, lectures and research
  • knowledge of assessment methods and regulations.

Conditions

Tertiary lecturers:

  • usually work regular business hours
  • work in lecture theatres, classrooms, workshops, libraries, offices and laboratories
  • may teach students at work placements, such as boats, farms and kitchens
  • may travel within New Zealand and overseas to conferences and meetings, and to do research.

Tertiary Lecturers can earn around $50K-$108K per year.

Chances of getting a job as a Tertiary Lecturer are good due to a shortage of people interested in this type of work.

Pay for tertiary lecturers varies depending on qualifications, experience, and the size and type of institution.

Te Pūkenga (former polytechnics and institutes of technology)

  • Lecturers at Te Pūkenga usually earn between $50,000 and $87,000 a year.
  • Senior lecturers usually earn $77,000 to $105,000 a year.
  • Principal lecturers can earn $80,000 to $113,000 a year.

Universities

  • Assistant lecturers usually earn between $66,000 and $85,000 a year.
  • Lecturers usually earn $74,000 to $108,000 a year.
  • Senior lecturers usually earn $91,000 to $142,000 a year.
  • Associate professors usually earn $132,000 to $159,000 a year.
  • Professors can earn $145,000 to $213,000 a year.

Sources: Ara Academic Staff of Canterbury, ‘Collective Employment Agreement’, 2020-2022; Auckland University of Technology, ‘Academic and Associated Staff Members’ Collective Agreement’, 2019-2021; University of Auckland, ‘Academic Staff Collective Agreement’, 2019-2022; University of Canterbury, ‘Collective Employment Agreement, Academic and Associated Staff’, 2022-2024; University of Otago, ‘Academic Staff Collective Agreement’, 2021-2022; Unitec, ‘Academic Staff Collective Agreement’, 2020-2022; Wellington Institute of Technology, ‘Academic Staff Members’ Collective Agreement,’ 2021-2023.

Tertiary lecturers may move into more senior academic roles such as senior lecturer, associate professor or professor.  

 

Years Of Training

1-8 years of training usually required.

Entry requirements for tertiary lecturers vary depending on what and where you want to teach.

Universities

To lecture at a university you need to be studying towards or have completed a Master's degree, or have a Doctorate degree. You also need experience in teaching and research. Having published research is an advantage.

Te Pūkenga (former polytechnics or institutes of technology)

To lecture at Te Pūkenga you usually need a minimum of a diploma and work experience in the subject you teach.

Tertiary Lecturer