Image description
Among a crowd, a placard reads: No teacher should stand alone in a class of 30 we need teacher aides. Photo credit: Eda Tang
Among a crowd, a bright red placard reads in blue paint: "Aides on strike! Value our work. Value our students. Fair pay is a basic right!"
On its left there is a vertical cardboard sign with an acrostic message written in red and blue paint with the word "KIDS": Kome on Erica! It's time to Deliver more Support!"
Moana Maniapoto stands speaks into the microphone before the crowd in Aotea Square as the MC for the rally.
Signs in the front of the crowd at Aotea Square. A black sign is painted with the words "Anei matau ngā pou whirinaki. Start paying our worth put students 1st". The sign is bordered with kowhaiwhai patterns and fernery.
A large white sign board on its left reads "RESPECT OUR RANKS" in stencilled coloured letters.
Women and children smile at the camera holding up a long banner reading "Central Auckland Specialist School. Inspiring Engagement; Realising Potential".
From behind the speaker, a sea of strikers stretch back into Aotea Square. The first few rows of strikers are all wearing yellow.
A crowd of nurses and teachers hold up handwritten placards. Some standouts:
A Tui 'yeah right' ad that reads "I have a lot of support in my classroom"
"$300 million for tobacco industry? Support our future not our death!"
Women in the front of a crowd coordinated in yellow and chanting passionately with fists in the air.
A striker wearing 'ei katu and a backpack on their front grins at the camera holding a pink sign propped up with two sticks reading "Improve Tiaki Allowance!"
A striker moves down Queen Street in their wheelchair holding a large white sign painted in multicolour: "NURSES ARE SPREAD THINNER THAN VEGEMITE ON TOAST!"
A striker happily gestures towards someone in the midst of the march, holding up a white sign reading "We don't just support - we inspire. We're the heartbeat that never tires. +la's in every class"
Union representatives punch their fists in the air as they form the first line of the march down Queen Street. They are holding a long red, black and white banner which reads "Maranga Ake. SOS. Save our Services".
Strikers hold up a meme-inspired placards. Some standouts:
The 'this is fine' dog meme with words: understaffing, MOE, cost of living, huge class around it.
"Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday... except fair working conditions and pay."
An excited striker smiles as the camera showing their placard reading "Support your support staff" surrounded by hearts.
A blue sky and the Town Hall clocktower is seen behind a tide of strikers with blue and purple colours. Some of the signs read:
"NZEI speech-language therapists. 0% isn't an offer it's neglect"
"Support us so we can support them"
"Stop voting: Stupid, self-serving, sociopathic parasites into power - a real Taxpayer"
The afternoon sun shines upon strikers as they make their way down Queen Street. Some of the signs read:
"Kids deserve better! Learning Support"
"Standing for Learning Support"
A striker stands among the crowd holding a cardboard sign with "I LOVE MY TEACHERS YOU SHOULD TOO!" written in black marker.
A powerchair-user with a sign on the back of their chair reading "Less thoughts & prayers, more FAIR PAY for our cares!" in blue paint.
Teachers and support workers holding bright yellow signs amidst the march. A striker in the front has a sign attached to their walker reading: "Teacher Aides in every class! Central Funding for Teacher Aides! Job Security 4 them!"
Teachers and support staff marching with colourful signs. Some standouts:
A rainbow coloured placard reading: "Unicorns are like supported teachers. They don't exist."
"Same SHIT different YEAR."
"Support Staff deserve job security"
A striker stands at Te Komititanga Square at the end of the march holding up a large painted sign reading "TEACHER AIDES IN ALL CLASSROOMS"
John Landreth acquired his disability mid-acting career. Through navigating chronic pain and a different body, he's also found a new voice for his art and music.
This shouldn’t be our job but it is for some reason.
As the conflict in the Middle East causes devastation for people in Iran, disability communities are starting to recognise the potential ripple effects here in Aotearoa.