The number of foreign teachers hired to fill gaps is at a record high. 

Ministry of Education data shows of a workforce of about 78 thousand, almost 10 thousand come from abroad. 

That means 12.5% of the workforce is trained overseas, rising to 13.3% among full-time teachers. 

Education Minister Erica Standard told Heather du Plessis-Allan schools often recruit international teachers themselves.  

She says they've been using overseas teachers for many years, often as a stopgap until domestic numbers increase. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Newstalk ZB. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Newstalk ZB och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.