Carl Pynenburg is one of thousands of teachers taking part in industrial action over the terms of their collective agreement.

Worser Bay School new entrants teacher Carl Pynenburg​ has only been in the profession for a few years.

Yet, it has been long enough for the Wellington teacher to see people he trained with abandon the industry, frustrated by heavy workloads, pay levels and not being given enough time to do what they love.

Like many of his counterparts, Pynenburg wants the Government to do more to stem the flow of talent out of the industry by creating more attractive packages to retain teaching's best and brightest.

He will be among thousands of New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa members who will walk off the job on Wednesday - the first time the sector has seen industrial action in almost a quarter-of-a-century.

SUPPLIED Thousands of teachers across the country will walk off the job on Wednesday.

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Mediation has failed to breach the impasse with the Ministry of Education over the terms of the latest collective agreement offer.

As well as pushing for better conditions, primary school union members were also seeking a 16 per cent pay rise over two years.

With NZEI predicting an extra 40,000 primary school students will enter the education system by 2030 – requiring about 1800 extra teachers – Pynenburg believed the time to stand up was now.

"I think we've got to a point now where enough is enough and that we kind of need to draw that line in the sand.

"The three things that we've been negotiating on all address getting the best people into the classroom, getting learning support for the kids who need it, and making sure that we've got time to teach and lead as well.

"So making sure that every kid who walks into a classroom in New Zealand gets the best out of their teachers and out of the education system," Pynenburg said.

GETTY IMAGES Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hopes outstanding issues teachers have raised can be resolved once both the NZEI and Ministry of Education negotiators return to the table after Wednesday's strike.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government would prefer to be at the negotiating table rather than witnessing a strike.

"There are a number of issues that teachers rightfully have raised, but that I think we're making good progress on.

"For instance, support in the classroom, we've boosted the funding for those children with special needs. We've already dealt with National Standards which has been of significant concern, and charter schools which has rightly been raised by the education community.

"Our hope, now, is that we can resolve outstanding issues at the table," Ardern said.

Ten of Worser Bay School's 12 teachers are NZEI members, with the Board of Trustees making the decision to close the school during the strike.

Pynenburg will address teachers at Wellington's NZEI rally from Westpac Stadium to Parliament's forecourt on Wednesday where around 3000 teachers were expected to attend.

Originally from Auckland, Pynenburg elected to move to Wellington where his modest teacher salary would go further.

While Wednesday's industrial action was disruptive for parents, Pynenburg said parents he had spoken to were supportive of the teachers' decision.

"I'm feeling a lot of support from the communities because – ultimately – it's for the best outcomes for their children.

Once the strike was over, Pynenburg was hopeful a resolution could be found between the union and the Ministry.

"I'm really optimistic that they're going to come out and they're really going to listen to us, because I think what we're asking for is common sense stuff.

"Time to teach and lead, support for the kids who need it, and an attractive package to bring in the best people into teaching, and keep the amazing teachers that we've got from leaving the profession," Pynenburg said.

Where will teachers gather on strike day

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Wellington (including Hutt Valley; Heretaunga; Whanganui ā Tara; Mana; Kāpiti; Wainuiomata and Wellington North branches)

*Assembling at Westpac Stadium from 10.30am

*Rally at Parliament 12pm-1pm

Wairarapa/South Wairarapa

*Rally at Masterton Town Square 12pm

Hawke's Bay

*Assembling at Napier Soundshell before rally and march down Emerson St to Memorial Square from 11.30am

A full list of rallies, events and gatherings across the country can be found here.