The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

What are the first 100 days in the principal role really like? From navigating unexpected challenges and building relationships with staff, students, and whānau, to establishing their leadership vision while managing the day-to-day complexities of school operations, our guests share candid insights about what it really takes to transition into principalship. Hosted by Eleisha McNeill. Today’s guests are: Lori Mravicich, tumuaki of Waiau Pā School Tony Baird, principal of Karamea Area School Richard Washington, principal of Nelson College This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

We continue to talk about attendance in this episode, exploring proven strategies for boosting student attendance through meaningful partnerships. Hear how building strong relationships and addressing root causes—rather than just symptoms—can create lasting change in attendance patterns and student outcomes. A note that attendance services mentioned in this episode were correct at the time of recording. Hosted by Eleisha McNeill. My guests are: Mandy Dodds, tumuaki of Kumara School on the West Coast Chris Bean, principal of Tangaroa College in Otara, Auckland James Christie, tumuaki of Mauku School in the Franklin district This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

Student attendance has become one of the big challenges facing New Zealand schools. With new Attendance Management Plans becoming mandatory from 2026 and expanded attendance services on the horizon, principals are under increasing pressure to find effective solutions to chronic absenteeism. But some schools are beating the odds. In this episode, we sit down with principals who have successfully turned around poor attendance in their schools. Hosted by Eleisha McNeill. My guests are: Mandy Dodds, tumuaki of Kumara School on the West Coast Chris Bean, principal of Tangaroa College in Otara, Auckland James Christie, tumuaki of Mauku School in the Franklin district This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

In this episode of The Principals Aotearoa, Eleisha speaks with Jan Robertson, author of Coaching leadership: Building educational leadership capacity through partnership, discussing how coaching partnerships between educational leaders create powerful opportunities for reflective practice, help bridge the gap between what principals say they believe and what they do, and how coaching partnerships can transform school culture while building leadership capacity across the education system. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education. You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz Additional information  The three Rs for coaching-learning relationships https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Leading-staff/Coaching-learning-relationships Coaching with a peer partner https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/Coaching-leaders 

In this episode, our guests reflect on their first few years of principalship, discussing what it means to lead an entire school community, and providing tips for balancing strategic vision with daily operations, building resilience in high-pressure roles, and developing future leaders. My guests are: Jacqui Brown, principal of New Plymouth Girls’ High School Prisca MacDonald, tumuaki of Tawa Intermediate School Elena Moretti, Director Engagement and Impact, Education Review Office. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Additional information ERO report summary: Guide for aspiring and new principals: ERO's new principals research   ERO full report: ‘Everything Was New’: Preparing and Supporting New Principals   Principal Development Map https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/professional-development-and-support-principals/principal-development-map

The transition from teacher or senior school leader to tumuaki is more than just a title change – it's a professional and personal transformation. This episode talks about the transition into principalship, the differences between senior leadership and principalship, and ERO research into pathways new principals take, and their sense of preparedness for the role. My guests are: Jacqui Brown, principal of New Plymouth Girls’ High School Prisca MacDonald, tumuaki of Tawa Intermediate School Elena Moretti, Director Engagement and Impact, ERO This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Additional information ERO report summary: Guide for aspiring and new principals: ERO's new principals research   ERO full report: ‘Everything Was New’: Preparing and Supporting New Principals   Principal Development Map https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/professional-development-and-support-principals/principal-development-map

From recognizing the subtle signs of leadership readiness to providing meaningful development opportunities, we’ll discuss how our guests have successfully mentored teachers into leadership roles and built a culture where potential leaders feel supported to step up. Our guests are: Ian Taylor, principal of Manurewa Intermediate and author of "All the time, Every Time, All of us, Everywhere!" Denise Torrey, former tumuaki of Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo in Christchurch, and now principals’ support officer for the Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining team. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

Welcome to Season 2 of The Principals, a podcast series for tumuaki and aspiring tumuaki in Aotearoa New Zealand, hosted by Eleisha McNeill. It’s great to be back. What does leadership potential look like in your staff, and how do you nurture it? In this episode, two experienced principals share how they got to where they are, what they look for in potential leaders, and why it's so important to build leadership capability and capacity in the New Zealand school system. Today’s guests are: Ian Taylor, principal of Manurewa Intermediate and author of "All the time, Every Time, All of us, Everywhere!" Denise Torrey, former tumuaki of Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo in Christchurch, and now principals’ support officer for the Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining team. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education.   You can learn more by accessing the e-learning modules for principals on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

The Principals podcast is coming back for a second season! A big thank you to all our listeners for your feedback and for your amazing support.   We’re just starting to record interviews for our second season, and we’re  really keen to hear what’s top of mind for you - what can we cover in the podcast that would help you in your journey towards - or through - principalship? Do you know of a principal with an amazing story that everyone should hear? Drop us an email at principals.podcast@education.govt.nz with your ideas – we’d love to hear them. I’ll pop the email address in the show notes too.   We’ll be back on the 29th of July with new episodes – perhaps on a topic you suggest! See you then!

In this episode, we’re talking with two Pasifika principals and a non-Pasifika tumuaki leading a school with a high Pasikifa population about leading authentically, and things you can do to make sure your Pasifika ākonga feel seen and supported, along with the tools available to school yourself in the Pasifika realm. Mārama’s guests are: Jenny Bernard, principal of Otahuhu Primary School, Auckland Karl Vasau, principal of Rowandale School in Manurewa, Auckland Graeme Norman, principal of Te Kōmanawa Rowley School, Christchurch. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   The New Zealand Pasifika Principals’ Association (NZPPA) has its own podcast – search it up on your favourite platform.   Episode themes: What it was like for Jenny and Karl as Pasifika ākonga in New Zealand. Finding your identity as Pasifika. The importance of names. Leading as non-Pasifika, ways you can educate yourself on the culture and the community you’re in, and available PD to help you. The importance of building up those around you as leaders, of letting people’s expertise and knowledge shine in your school. Additional information NZPPA - https://www.nzppa.co.nz/   Tautai o le Moana - https://www.tolm.co.nz/

Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō Leading an organisation as tumuaki Māori has its own unique challenges and opportunities. We often use the whakatauki Poipoia te Kākako kia pūawai to emphasise the importance of nurturing our tamariki,  A pressing issue right now is how we’re nurturing our aspiring and new principals, in particular our young tumuaki Māori. How do we, as experienced and leading principals, curate leadership journeys that empower new and aspiring tumuaki Māori to last the challenges of the current day? Mārama’s guests are: Marissa Peters, Principal of Tarawera High School in Kawerau Eastern Bay of Plenty Mikaere October, Principal of Trident High School, Whakatāne Leanne Otene, President of New Zealand Principals’ Federation and Principal of 30 years of service this year. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Episode themes: What it was like to be tumuaki Māori in the 1990s and how it has changed Learning that walking in both the pākeha and Maōri worlds is a strength, not a weakness The importance of having good role models The importance of knowing who you are and being authentic in that, of finding your voice and standing up for yourself and for your kura and tamariki

Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō Leading an organisation as tumuaki Māori has its own unique challenges and opportunities. We often use the whakatauki Poipoia te Kākako kia pūawai to emphasise the importance of nurturing our tamariki,  A pressing issue right now is how we’re nurturing our aspiring and new principals, in particular our young tumuaki Māori. How do we, as experienced and leading principals, curate leadership journeys that empower new and aspiring tumuaki Māori to last the challenges of the current day? Mārama’s guests are: Marissa Peters, Principal of Tarawera High School in Kawerau Eastern Bay of Plenty Mikaere October, Principal of Trident High School, Whakatāne Leanne Otene, President of New Zealand Principals’ Federation and Principal of 30 years of service this year. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Episode themes: What it was like to be tumuaki Māori in the 1990s and how it has changed Learning that walking in both the pākeha and Maōri worlds is a strength, not a weakness The importance of having good role models The importance of knowing who you are and being authentic in that, of finding your voice and standing up for yourself and for your kura and tamariki

This episode continues discussing the challenges of recruiting te reo speaking kaiako, and the ways those challenges have been dealt with in the past, including hiring fluent freezing workers as LATs, along with ways to ensure te reo thrives in your kura.   Mārama’s guests are: Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education Nori Parata, tumuaki of Kahukuranui and Tolaga Bay Area school   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: The employment of fluent te reo speakers from all walks of life to teach in schools under the Te Akatura programme, was probably one of the first and earliest recognition of the value of having native te reo speakers being trained to be teachers. The importance of training, mentoring and support for these teachers. The importance of learning te reo yourself, and of helping your kaiako learn to ensure the language thrives in your kura, and shows your Māori community you are genuinely committed Ways to ensure your reo speaking kaiako don’t feel lonely, and that other teachers in your kura who speak another language feel they have a community too. Our guests advice on wats to ensure te reo is strong in our schools.   Additional information   E-Bite programme https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/local-employment-and-recruitment-support/kaupapa-maori-maori-medium-ebite-programme-funding-award   Employing LATS https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/local-employment-and-recruitment-support/employing-someone-limited-authority-teach

This episode discusses the challenges of recruiting te reo speaking kaiako, and of creative ways of addressing the issue.   Mārama’s guests are: Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education Nori Parata, tumuaki of Kahukuranui and Tolaga Bay Area school   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: The difficulties of recruiting all kaiako, and the particular challenge of recruiting te reo speakers, which is even greater in rural and remote areas. Relievers are an additional challenge. The E-Bite programme, which allows fluent te reo speakers to be employed on a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT) while they get their teaching qualification. Using kaiāwhina i te reo, kaitautoko i te reo, and kaiārahi i te reo in classes where you can’t find a te reo teacher, treating them like a beginning teacher and providing them with good support. Employing a LAT might sometimes mean assisting someone to apply for the LAT and paying for the application and renewals to keep them on. Ensuring that te reo speaking kaiako have everything they need to do the job, so ensuring there is adequate budget for all they need. Using the knowledge of the tumuaki around you to help with questions you may have.   Additional information E-Bite programme https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/local-employment-and-recruitment-support/kaupapa-maori-maori-medium-ebite-programme-funding-award   Employing LATS https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/local-employment-and-recruitment-support/employing-someone-limited-authority-teach

In this episode, Mārama discusses the challenges and opportunities of tumuaki Māori leading a school in an English-medium system.   Mārama’s guests are: Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education Tom Paekau, tumuaki of Te Kura o Tūtarawānanga Merivale School in Tauranga Moana.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: The inner challenges of following the directives you have to follow as tumuaki while still wanting to be pono to your own philosophy on education. Your board can be your biggest support. The importance of having mentors as a new tumuaki to help guide you through these challenges. Remember schools do have a lot of autonomy, and that the Education Act says one of your primary roles as school leaders is giving effect to Te Tiriti.   Additional information Dr Ann Milne https://www.annmilne.co.nz

In this episode, Mārama Stewart discusses leading a school within te ao Māori through the lens of our guests’ own journeys through the education system in Aotearoa.  Mārama’s guests are: ● Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education ● Tom Paekau, tumuaki of Te Kura o Tūtarawānanga Merivale School in Tauranga Moana.  This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals. You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz Show notes Episode themes: Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero. Ko te tohu o te rangatira, he manaaki. Ko te mahi a te rangatira, he whakatira i te iwi. ● Duality of having to thrive in two different worlds as tumuaki Maōri. ● Importance of all tamariki having adults – kaiako and tumuaki - they can connect with and be inspired by to help them along in their educational journey. ● Importance of making Māori ākonga feel connected to school, and what you can do to help that connection. ● Understanding who to build relationships with as a new tumuaki, and the need for those relationships to be reciprocal.   Additional information Dr Ann Milne https://www.annmilne.co.nz

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’ In this episode, Mārama continues the kōrero with her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), about her experiences as kaiako Māori, tumuaki Māori, and the beginnings of kura kaupapa Māori and kura ā iwi. This episode is a personal tribute to those who walked before us, and a reminder that our stories — our whakapapa — are not just history, they are maps. They are a guide to help us reflect on your own leadership journey — where you’ve come from, who you carry with you, and what kind of future you want to help shape. You can find more information about this topic in Looking after learning (part 4) of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - the Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules. In this episode, we speak with: Ani Mohi, Former Tumuaki of Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’ In this episode of The Principals Podcast, Mārama Stewart, tumuaki and former Leadership Advisor, sits down with someone incredibly special to her — her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), a proud Māori principal whose story continues to shape and inspire Mārama’s own journey. This kōrero spans generations as they reflect on Mrs Mohi’s journey through the education system — as a student in the 1950s and 60s, a teacher in the 1980s, and a principal in the 1990s and on. In this episode, we talk about what it was like for her growing up in an era where te ao Māori had little or no place in the classroom.  This episode is a personal tribute to those who walked before us, and a reminder that our stories — our whakapapa — are not just history, they are maps. They are a guide to help us reflect on your own leadership journey — where you’ve come from, who you carry with you, and what kind of future you want to help shape. You can find more information about this topic in Looking after learning (part 4) of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - the Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules. In this episode, we speak with: Ani Mohi, Former Tumuaki of Te Kura Mana Māori o Maraenui This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Mrs Mohi’s experience of life at native school Differences between native school and other English-medium schools Resistance to racism Slow emergence of some te reo and Māori culture in some schools Teachers’ College in the 1970s.

In this episode, we’re continuing to talk about school budgets, and      we’re covering financial reporting and audits as well. Just a reminder that your school finance advisors are there to help – lean on them if you have questions about school finances.   My guests are: Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education leadership advisor Adrian Edwards, Ministry of Education finance advisor.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Don’t leave it too long to start working on your school’s budget. Don’t wait until you’ve seen all expenditure through to December. Start early. If something unexpected happens and your budget is no longer accurate, you can reforecast. In some cases additional funding may be available, talk to your finance advisor about the issue. Ensure you code spending correctly. Look for budget variances over 10%. If you start at a school and you can see the budget is in deficit, go to your finance advisor for advice. If your monthly accounts are in good order year round, not only will you have fewer (or no) surprises, but the preparation time for the annual financial statements will be shorter. It’s compulsory to follow the Kiwi Park model financial statements. You can find them on the MOE website (link below). Audits aren’t just about the figures that appear in the financial statements. They also look at the policies and procedures and how the school operates in order to produce those figures.   Additional information School annual financial statements https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/administration-and-management/school-annual-financial-statements#paragraph-5775 Funding and financials https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/funding-and-financials   Questions   0:38 [All] How long before it's due should you start working on a school's budget?   2:43 [Hannah] What happens to a school's budget if something unexpected happens? Like, you know, the boiler explodes, or something bigger where things have to pivot on really short notice. Can you re-budget? How does that work?   4:24 [Hannah] How much flexibility is there to move money around if there's a surplus in one area, and a deficit in the other?   5:12 [Hannah] What is variance analysis?   6:41 [Hannah] Do you need the variance analysis for the end of year accounts as well to help you tell the story?   7:03 [Hannah/Adrian] What happens if a school completely blows their budget?   9:12 [Adrian] How long before they're due should the tumuaki and the board start working on the annual report that includes the annual financial statements?   11:28 [Adrian] What do the annual financial statements have to contain?   12:48 [Adrian] And the principal isn’t expected to prepare the annual financial statements, the accountant does that?   16:08 [Adrian] What kinds of things does the audit checklist include?   16:50 [Mārama] When you were a tumuaki, what would you have looked at to get your head around a school's budget when you walked in the door? Would you have used the financial statements?   18:13 [All] What advice would you give new tumuaki about this kind of financial planning and budgeting and reporting part of running a school?

Today we're going to talk about school budgets, what's included in them, what's not, and what you'll need to do to prepare them.   My guests are: Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education leadership advisor Adrian Edwards, Ministry of Education finance advisor.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Principals need to prepare their school’s budget, and their  board signs it off. The FISH (Financial Information for Schools Handbook) has a handy annual financial table with key dates around statutory deadlines and requirements for reporting. Your budget is based on your total income, but many of the items in that total income are tagged for usage. General categories included in your budget, and what’s not included. What to think about when you’re preparing the budget.     Additional information Pourato https://applications.education.govt.nz/pourato Funding and financials https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/funding-and-financials Day-to-day financial management including link to Financial Information for Schools Handbook (FISH) https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/funding-and-financials/day-day-financial-management#paragraph-9126 Kiwi Park training model https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/administration-and-management/school-annual-financial-statements#paragraph-5782   Questions 1:06 [Hannah] Can you remind us where new tumuaki can go to understand what they need to know about school finances.   1:55 [Hannah] When it comes to a school's budget, what are a principal's responsibilities?   2:28 [Hannah] In terms of preparation of the school budget, what does a principal need to do?   3:49 [Hannah] Does Pourato have information about staffing in it as well?   4:27 [Hannah] What are financial delegations? What does that mean? 5:25 [Hannah] You touched on the FISH there, the Financial Information for Schools Handbook. In the FISH there's a basic kind of annual financial timetable. Is that something that you'd recommend a new tumuaki take a look at to make sure they're doing everything they need to be doing?    6:08 [Hannah] And that timetable also outlines some key dates around kind of statutory deadlines and requirements for reporting. What are those statutory deadlines and requirements for financial reporting?   6:56 [Adrian] What is a school budget at its      most basic level?    10:08 [Adrian] What does the budget outline, what are the general categories?   11:12 [Adrian] Is there anything that's not included in a school's budget?   12:20 [Adrian] What about fundraising and things like that, would that be included in your budget?   13:22 [Hannah] What should a tumuaki and the board be thinking about when they're preparing the school's budget?   14:38 [Mārama] When you were getting your head around the budget process in your schools, how did the budget process work?   18:12 [Mārama] And what kinds of things did you think about when you were preparing that budget, in terms of      what you prioritized and how to make that all work? 19:35 [Hannah/Adrian] Did you want to add anything about depreciation?