The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

In this episode, we continue our conversation with three education law experts, turning our attention to employment matters and the growing challenges around social media. We discuss the principles of natural justice and due process, the warning signs that a principal's own employment situation may be escalating, and the legal complexities around long-term sick leave and medical incapacity. We also look at the most common legal mistakes principals make when dealing with teacher capability or conduct issues, and explore the themes emerging around social media misuse and professional boundaries. Please note that this episode was recorded at the end of 2025. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the New Zealand government or the Ministry of Education.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Gretchen Stone, education lawyer at Harrison Stone

Fi McMillan, education lawyer at Anderson Lloyd

Patrick Walsh, education lawyer and tumuaki of Sacred Heart College.

Additional information

Principals Advice and Support Limited (PASL), an optional legal support scheme for principals through the New Zealand Principals' Federation: nzpf.ac.nz

The Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand (SPANZ) offers an optional legal fund for secondary principals through Harrison Stone: https://www.spanz.school.nz

The New Zealand School Boards Association (NZSBA) provides advice for schools: https://www.tewhakaroputanga.org.nz

NZEI Te Riu Roa offers support for member principals: www.nzei.org.nz

PPTA (Post Primary Teachers' Association) has field officers who can provide advice for members: ppta.org.nz

In this episode, we talk with three education law experts about the growing legal complexity of managing parent relationships in schools. We explore why parent behaviour has changed in recent years, what constitutes a vexatious complaint, how to handle OIA and Privacy Act requests, and what steps principals can take when parents threaten staff or make unreasonable demands. We also discuss when and how to trespass a parent from school grounds, and the importance of having a robust complaints policy.

Please note that this episode was recorded at the end of 2025.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the New Zealand government or the Ministry of Education.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Gretchen Stone, education lawyer at Harrison Stone

Fi McMillan, education lawyer at Anderson Lloyd

Patrick Walsh, education lawyer and tumuaki of Sacred Heart College

Additional information

The Ombudsman's website has guidance on responding to OIA requests and determining whether a complaint is vexatious: ombudsman.parliament.nz

The Privacy Commissioner's website has guidance on Privacy Act requests: privacy.org.nz

The Ministry of Education's stand-down and suspension guidelines are available online: education.govt.nz

In this episode, we explore what it means to lead a Catholic integrated school in Aotearoa New Zealand. We discuss how the Integration Act shapes day-to-day leadership and decision-making, how principals balance their school's special character with New Zealand curriculum requirements, and how the relationship between the principal, the Board of Trustees, and the Catholic proprietor works in practice. We also look at the unique funding and property challenges of the dual funding model, what it means to find and retain tagged staff in a competitive market, and what our guests enjoy about leading a Catholic integrated school.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Kay Tester, tumuaki of Te Kura o Hato Petera e Paora (Saints Peter and Paul School) in Lower Hutt

Kate Nicholson, principal of Trinity Catholic College in Ōtepoti Dunedin

Daniel Pepper, principal of St Dominic's Catholic Primary School in Auckland

Additional information

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) https://www.nzceo.org.nz

In this episode, we continue our conversation with three experienced area school leaders, focusing on the practicalities of running a kura that spans the full schooling spectrum. We discuss how to approach curriculum planning and delivery across a huge age range, the pastoral care challenges unique to area schools — particularly in rural and isolated communities — and the resource and funding pressures that come with the territory. We also hear some inspiring examples of innovative programmes that make the most of the multi-level nature of area schools, and our guests share their advice for tumuaki who are considering stepping into an area school leadership role for the first time.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Nori Parata, tumuaki of Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui

Karyn Gray, principal of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School in Lower Hutt, Wellington

Stephen Beck, tumuaki of Hurunui College in Hawarden, North Canterbury, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education as a South Island area school leadership advisor

In this episode, we explore what makes leading an area or composite school uniquely challenging and deeply rewarding. We talk with three experienced area school leaders about managing the breadth of student ages from early childhood through to Year 13, how to approach staffing across primary and secondary settings, and what it takes to build a truly cohesive school culture across a kura that spans age two to 18. We also discuss the particular demands of leading in rural and isolated communities, where the principal's role extends well beyond the school gate.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Nori Parata, tumuaki of Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui

Karyn Gray, principal of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School in Lower Hutt, Wellington

Stephen Beck, tumuaki of Hurunui College in Hawarden, North Canterbury, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education as a South Island area school leadership advisor.