The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

Season 2 Episode 10 Mastering the Professional Growth Cycle for Principals

In this episode, we discuss the Professional Growth Cycle for principals. We’ll talk about how the approach to principal development has evolved from the old ‘banana boxes of evidence’ system to a trust-based model that prioritises meaningful professional learning and honest feedback, and our guests share practical insights on setting impactful goals, building accountability into peer networks, and creating spaces for both professional challenge and emotional support.
 
Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.
 
Our guests are:
Rose-Anne London from the Teaching Council
Ben Hutchings, tumuaki of Mountain View School in Mangere, Auckland
John Channer, principal at Fraser Crescent School in Upper Hutt, Wellington.
 
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
Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand https://teachingcouncil.nz/ 

Season 2, Episode 9 Te Tiriti o Waitangi: More Than Just Compliance

In this episode, we explore how educational leaders can move beyond tick-box compliance to genuinely embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into their school culture. Our guests share their personal journeys, practical strategies, and honest reflections on what it truly means to create bicultural learning environments where all students thrive. Hosted by Mārama Stewart.
Today’s guests are:
Billie-Jean Pōtaka Ayton, tumuaki of Kaiti School in Gisborne
Mel Jewiss, former tumuaki and now Maori Achievement Collaborative (MAC) facilitator
Robyn Isaacson, principal of Flaxmere Primary School
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

Season 2, Episode 8 The first 100 days of principalship

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

Season 2, Episode 7 Building momentum: Creative strategies and partnerships for improving school attendance

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

Season 2, Episode 6 Getting every child through the gate: Turning around attendance

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

Season 2, Episode 5 Coaching Leadership with Jan Robertson

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 partnerhttps://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Developing-leaders/Coaching-leaders 

Season 2, Episode 4 Resilience and the right glasses - Developing the skills for school leadership

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

Season 2, Episode 3 From Classroom to Core Team: Stepping Up

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

Season 2, Episode 2 Leadership is the task: Creating opportunities for leadership growth in schools

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

Season 2, Episode 1 The leadership pipeline: Identifying and developing future school leaders

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