To the beat of a drum, local cheers and a symphony of supportive car horns, Mangawhai’s teachers held their own rally on the Village corner of Moir and Insley Streets on March 16, joining tens of thousands of their frustrated colleagues nationwide to protest for better work conditions, reduced class sizes and more pay. Around 50,000 kindergarten, primary and secondary school teachers took strike action in cities, towns and streets around the country, the first time all three sectors had joined forces in protest for a well-deserved upgrade to their important profession.
- REPORTING/JULIA WADE