An independent review into the problem-plagued teacher pay system, Novopay, will begin early next year.

There have been more than 8000 errors involving teachers being underpaid, overpaid or not paid at all since the system was launched in August.

There have also been privacy breaches which have enabled some schools to see the private details of teachers from other schools.

The review will begin next year to ensure it takes in the Christmas pay round following concerns there would be more errors over the summer break.

Associate Education Minister Craig Foss said the number of issues with Novopay had been unacceptable.

"It's important that the review does not detract from the immediate focus of getting the payroll system running to its full potential. Right now the focus is on getting school staff paid accurately and on time."

The review would give the sector confidence the Government was taking the matter seriously, he said.

The Government had relied on advice from the Novopay board and ministry which had tested the system, provided by Australian company Talent2, Foss said.

"They gave me recommendations to go live."There had been huge progress on fixing the errors in the past three weeks, he said.

"We are still not there yet and the heat is still on everyone involved."Schools were able to pay unpaid teachers through their operations grants which would be replenished by the ministry in the following pay round, Foss said.

- © Fairfax NZ News