As part of New Zealand's Teacher Career and Promotion Study, a questionnaire was completed by 1,829 elementary and secondary school teachers. Four areas affecting women's representation in senior teaching positions are examined: length of service, family constraints, promotion experience, and career aspiration. More men than women had completed the required 10 unbroken years of teaching experience for promotion to senior status. Of those eligible for promotion, 24 percent of the female primary teachers and 11 percent of the female secondary teachers had not applied for promotion, compared to two percent of the male secondary teachers and none of the male primary teachers. The female primary teachers had the lowest promotion rate, 64.8 percent. The most frequently cited reason for not seeking promotion was insufficient service time and contentment with present jobs. More men than women reported receiving encouragement for career advancement. The lower career aspirations held by women may be a realistic assessment of their promotion situation. Although most teachers thought that teaching ability should be the most important consideration for promotion, fewer women than men thought that ability affected promotion decisions. (FG)