School is officially out for primary providers, as more than 1300 Hawke's Bay teachers and principals join their counterparts in striking for the first time in 24 years.
Dozens of rallies are planned around the country, aiming to gain attention for better pay, conditions and incentives to attract new teachers.
This morning, a small group of teachers and children were seen waving banners and placards near Frimley School, Hastings, and there is a planned gathering at the Napier Soundshell at 11.30am today.
The primary teachers' union, the NZ Educational Institute, is striking for only the fourth time in its 135-year history, after a protest against the Employment Contracts Act in 1991 and two strikes in 1994 and 1995 which won pay parity with secondary teachers.
NZEI members were after 16 per cent over two years, as well as money for a Special Education Needs co-ordinator (SENCO) in every school.
The latest offer would have given about 86 per cent of teachers a pay rise between 2.2 and 2.6 per cent each year for three years, and more time to work individually with children or plan and assess learning.
The Ministry of Education has said it was disappointed that the strike action was for a full day.
About 125 schools in Hawke's Bay will not open today.
Hawke's Bay Primary Principals Association president and Irongate principal Maurice Rehu said the strike encourages the government to prioritise some of their spending on addressing the needs for the sector.
Which schools are closed in Hawke's Bay?
Argyll East School
Arthur Miller School
Awapuni School (Gisborne)
Bledisloe School
Bridge Pa School
Camberley School
Clive School
Cobham School
Ebbett Park School
Elgin School
Elsthorpe School
Eskdale School
Fairhaven School (Napier)
Flaxmere Primary School
Flemington School (Waipukurau)
Frasertown School
Frimley School
Gisborne Central School
Gisborne Intermediate
Greenmeadows School
Hastings Central School
Hastings Intermediate
Hatea-A-Rangi
Haumoana School
Havelock North Intermediate
Havelock North Primary School
Henry Hill School
Heretaunga Intermediate
Hiruharama School
Ilminster Intermediate
Irongate School
Kaiti School
Kereru School
Kimi Ora Community School
Kotemaori School
Kowhai School
Lucknow School
Mahora School
Makaraka School
Makarika School
Makauri School
Mangapapa School
Mangateretere School
Manutuke School
Maraekakaho School
Maraenui Bilingual School (Napier)
Marewa School
Mata School
Matawai School
Mayfair School
Meeanee School
Mohaka School
Motu School
Muriwai School
Napier Central School
Napier Intermediate
Nelson Park School
Nuhaka School
Ohuka School
Omahu School
Omakere School
Onekawa School
Ongaonga School
Ormond School
Otane School
Pakowhai School
Parkvale School
Patoka School
Patutahi School
Peterhead School
Porangahau School
Porritt School
Port Ahuriri School
Potaka School
Poukawa School
Pukehamoamoa School
Pukehou School
Puketapu School (Hawkes Bay)
Putorino School
Raureka School
Reignier Catholic School
Richmond School (Napier)
Riverdale School (Gisborne)
Riverslea School
Ruakituri School
Sherenden and Districts School
Sherwood School (Hawkes Bay)
St Joseph's School (Hastings)
St Joseph's School (Waipukurau)
St Joseph's School (Wairoa)
St Mary's Catholic School (Gisborne)
St Mary's School (Hastings)
St Matthew's Primary School (Hastings)
St Patrick's School (Napier)
Takapau School
Tamatea Intermediate
Tamatea School
Taradale Intermediate
Taradale School
Te Awa School
Te Hapara School
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu
Te Kura o Pakipaki
Te Mahia School
Te Mata School (Havelock North)
Te Pohue School
Te Wharau School (Gisborne)
The Terrace School (Waipukurau)
Tiaho Primary School
Tikitiki School
Tikokino School
Tiniroto School
TKKM o Mangatuna
TKKM o Tapere-Nui-A-Whatonga
TKKM o Tokomaru
Tutira School
Twyford School
Waerenga-O-Kuri School
Waikirikiri School
Waimarama School
Wainui Beach School
Waipawa School
Waipukurau School
Wairoa Primary School
Westshore School
Whangara School