The University of Waikato has a unique opportunity to support emerging leaders across New Zealand’s education sector to step forward and take charge of their future.
Te Whai Toi Tangata Institute of Professional Learning and Poutama Pounamu at the University have secured a multi-million-dollar, seven-year contract to deliver the Aspiring Principal Programme nationwide on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
Programme Director Sharleen Nathan
The programme is a key part of strengthening the national pipeline of school leaders and supporting long-term workforce sustainability.
The successful bid followed a rigorous selection process, with five other providers competing through a series of requirements and interviews over several months.
The programme supports experienced educators preparing for principalship.
Programme Director Sharleen Nathan says the Aspiring Principal Programme is focused on building leadership capability across the education system.
“We are investing in people who will go on to lead schools in ways that improve outcomes for all learners, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and respond confidently to the complexity of contemporary education,” she says.
The 2026 cohort, beginning in late April, reflects the diversity of schooling in New Zealand, with leaders from rural and urban settings, Māori-medium and Pacific language contexts, as well as special character, intermediate and secondary schools.
Mrs Nathan says particular care has been taken to ensure responsive mentoring and geographic equity, so that every participant has access to meaningful, locally grounded support.
Each participant is matched with an experienced principal mentor within their region, enabling kanohi ki te kanohi engagement and authentic exposure to the realities of principalship.
What I’m really excited about in terms of this programme is strengthening the future of educational leadership across Aotearoa, essentially supporting the next generation of school leaders.
Mrs Nathan was herself a participant in the programme in 2013, before it went on hiatus.
“I loved it. It gave me a huge amount of confidence and insight into what it means to be a principal and the breadth of the role. It also encouraged me to look outside the box. I started applying for positions beyond my own region,” she says.
Waikato’s Pro Vice Chancellor Education Professor Claire McLachlan was delighted to hear of the Division of Education’s success in securing this contract.
She comments that many principals have told her about the importance of good preparation for the realities and complexities of school leadership.
“Leading a school can be a challenging task, so I am delighted that the government is investing in preparing the principals of the future, who will support local students, whānau and communities to thrive.”
Professor McLachlan says that Waikato has a strong team to run this programme, and the programme’s mission aligns well with the strategic goals of the Division to make a difference to its communities, locally and nationally.
More mentors are needed for the programme, especially current and recently retired principals, whose experience is invaluable in guiding and supporting aspiring school leaders.
Whangamatā Area School Principal Alistair Luke has put his name forward as a mentor, having been a graduate of the Aspiring Principal Programme in 2015.
Whangamatā Area School principal Alistair Luke
“The role of a mentor is really to help participants understand the realities in the first instance, but also open up a network of support if they do go on to become a principal,” says Mr Luke. “That network was one of the most valuable things for me in those first few years, when I was facing a constant stream of challenges I’d never seen before.”
Mr Luke says the step up to principalship can be more complex than many expect.
“It’s one of those jobs where the experiences you have in preparation, as a classroom teacher or even a senior leader, don’t necessarily prepare you for the realities of principalship, especially in areas like finance and HR which you often don’t encounter until you’re in the role.”
He believes programmes for aspiring principals can help address this gap.
“A programme like this can play a real part in building that workforce desire back up again, while also helping people understand whether principalship is the right path for them before they step into the role.”
