Most media teachers are enthusiasts for the subject, who are largely self taught. However, with the recent development of media centred degree courses, future teachers are likely to have more professional preparation. Few media teachers specialise only in this subject and so usually teach more often in subject areas such as English or Social Sciences. While many N.A.M.E. members are secondary teachers, membership also draws on primary teachers, Polytech, University and industry members. NAME is the catalyst for much of the development and growth of media education within New Zealand schools.
Members regularly organise and staff professional development training and seminars.
A smaller group exists in the Waikato region. The Association publishes a regular members' magazine three times per year. It contains a mixture of news, curriculum development information, reviews, general media information and theory together with teaching ideas for the classroom. This competition developed from an annual festival of student productions, from schools, which was held in Auckland during the 1980's. With the demise of a popular television run competition, NAME decided to adapt its festival into a replacement competition.