It's easy to come to a view that teachers protest too much.
On the face of it, they have jobs many would envy. Long breaks from work, especially over summer, excellent working hours that allow work-life balance: What's not to like?
If only it were that simple.
Many teachers, it seems, are increasingly disillusioned with their profession. They cite a lack of resources, long hours, increasing work pressures. A leading Bay principal recently announced his departure due to these factors. Dane Robertson left Kaimai School saying growing workloads and not enough resources were the final straw.
He was a highly respected educator. In 2011/2012 Robertson joined the Western Bay of Plenty Principals' Association and became president in 2014.