The postgraduate diploma in teaching (Primary, School-Based) leads to teacher registration in Aotearoa New Zealand and aims to develop knowledgeable and skillful teachers who have the expertise to be effective and to continue to develop their practice. It is underpinned by the belief that in order to be able to teach effectively, trainees need to know both what to do and how to do it, but also why they are undertaking particular approaches and practices (Banks et al., 2024).

The programme will be delivered in partnership with primary schools, primarily in Tāmaki Makaura | Auckland, with whom it has been developed, and who have sought to take a stronger lead in delivering a tailored, school-based initial teacher education programme which enables students to integrate theoretical learning about teaching with on-site (supervised) practice as a teacher. Students will primarily be recruited from the existing communities around each school, and many will be career-changers or mature students re-entering the workforce after a career break or returning from overseas. All students will be domestic.

The graduates of this programme will:
1. Apply the foundational knowledge and build the expertise required to engage in and undertake all aspects of being an effective teacher at the primary school level, with a particular focus on literacy, English and mathematics.
2. Evaluate and adaptively apply a repertoire of practices and procedures that are underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge, emphasising the science of learning, to meet the needs of primary schools, classrooms and students.
3. Engage with research from both Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, and undertake professional learning to build the ongoing specialist knowledge to continually improve, refine, and expand their teaching practice at the primary school level.
4. Apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo Māori, and tikanga Māori in professional contexts as a primary school teacher.
5. Enact a commitment to students, schools, education communities, and stakeholders by upholding ethical and professional standards as a primary school teacher.

Graduates of this programme will be able to proceed to further postgraduate study.

Applicants must:
- Provide evidence of competence in one of the languages of the national curriculum - English or Māori (acceptable evidence is outlined by the Teaching Council | Matatū Aotearoa at https://teachingcouncil.nz/content/language-competency-requirements) (TC Req 6.2)
- Hold a Bachelor's degree at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF), or recognised equivalent (TC Req 6.1)
- Prior to entry, successfully pass an assessment of literacy and numeracy with a passing grade no lower than the equivalent to UE in literacy and numeracy, with at least 14 numeracy credits at NCEA L2 or equivalent. (TC Req 6.2)
- Be assessed for their disposition and fitness to teach, prior to entry (TC Req 6.4)
- Complete an assessment in Te Reo Māori, and make a commitment to developing their proficiency in Te Reo Māori throughout the programme (TC Req 6.3)
- Complete a safety check, including (but not limited to) a New Zealand Police vet and an assessment of the risk, if any, that the applicant would pose to the safety of children if employed or engaged as a children's worker (under the Children's Act 2014 (previously Vulnerable Children Act 2014)) (TC Req 6.5)
- Be accepted by a 'home school' within the TTI community which has attested that they are willing and able to support the candidate to complete the programme.