The Aspiring and Beginning Principal Programmes are evidence-based best practice and aim to prepare experienced teachers and newly appointed principals to lead a school by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to step into principal roles and manage schools effectively.
As part of the Aspiring and Beginning Principal Programmes experience, principals act as mentors –guiding and supporting programme participants. Becoming a mentor in turn provides professional development opportunities for mentors to deepen their own professional practice.
Peer-to-peer principal support is also available to all principals through the leadership advisory service which has now expanded to 32 Leadership Advisors across the country, providing policy advice, direction, and mentoring by experienced principals.
More information about these services is available on Professional development and support for principals | Education Workforce.
New Curriculum Leadership PLD and self-directed supports start to become available from late March 2026 and through Term 2. These include online learning modules, podcasts, and recorded webinars. As we transition towards our new knowledge-rich curriculum, we continue to provide appropriate PLD and resources for leaders.
As of 2026, the Māori Achievement Collaboratives (MAC) professional leadership development will no longer be available. Over the last 13 years, this PLD has played a significant role in building the cultural capability and leadership for 551 principals, tumuaki and their schools. Te Akatea was the most recent provider of the MAC PLD. Te Akatea continues to work with boards, providing professional support to principals and schools through the professional growth cycle.
Professional learning and development opportunities are available for principals and tumuaki of all levels. Leaders seeking information on professional leadership and development or resources can discuss options with the Ministry’s Leadership Advisors, or for tumuaki in Kura Kaupapa Māori, NKAI and TRN provide leadership advisory services that are aligned with leadership kaupapa and frameworks.
The Aspiring and Beginning Principal Programmes are evidence-based best practice and aim to prepare experienced teachers and newly appointed principals to lead a school by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to step into principal roles and manage schools effectively.
As part of the Aspiring and Beginning Principal Programmes experience, principals act as mentors –guiding and supporting programme participants. Becoming a mentor in turn provides professional development opportunities for mentors to deepen their own professional practice.
Peer-to-peer principal support is also available to all principals through the leadership advisory service which has now expanded to 32 Leadership Advisors across the country, providing policy advice, direction, and mentoring by experienced principals.
More information about these services is available on Professional development and support for principals | Education Workforce.
New Curriculum Leadership PLD and self-directed supports start to become available from late March 2026 and through Term 2. These include online learning modules, podcasts, and recorded webinars. As we transition towards our new knowledge-rich curriculum, we continue to provide appropriate PLD and resources for leaders.
As of 2026, the Māori Achievement Collaboratives (MAC) professional leadership development will no longer be available. Over the last 13 years, this PLD has played a significant role in building the cultural capability and leadership for 551 principals, tumuaki and their schools. Te Akatea was the most recent provider of the MAC PLD. Te Akatea continues to work with boards, providing professional support to principals and schools through the professional growth cycle.
Professional learning and development opportunities are available for principals and tumuaki of all levels. Leaders seeking information on professional leadership and development or resources can discuss options with the Ministry’s Leadership Advisors, or for tumuaki in Kura Kaupapa Māori, NKAI and TRN provide leadership advisory services that are aligned with leadership kaupapa and frameworks.