Who we are

Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand School Boards Association (formerly NZSTA) is the professional body for school boards in New Zealand, representing and advocating for our members and providing services to all state and state-integrated schools and kura.

Te Whakarōputanga is at the heart of school governance. We influence and inform policy and sector outcomes; we support and enable school boards to flourish; we connect like-minded people through our learning and networking opportunities; we strengthen communities by helping students achieve.

Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa was established in 1989, following the introduction of New Zealand’s largest school reform, Tomorrow’s Schools. We are a not-for-profit incorporated society with charitable trust status.

Our history

1988
A major review of the education system resulted in the development of ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’, a ‘grassroots revolution’ that saw school communities, whānau and pa… Read More
1989
The School Trustees Association (later to become Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa - New Zealand School Boards Association) was established. It include… Read More
1990
The first Te Whakarōputanga Constitution was adopted at the inaugural AGM in May. Regions were independent associations, and the national body acted as a co-ord… Read More
2001
The Te Whakarōputanga ‘helpdesk’ was established, a free telephone ring-in service, which proved to be a “lifeline” for principals and school board members.  … Read More
2014
Te Whakarōputanga services expanded to include proactive HR support, and regional hubs created in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. Read More
2020
The Education and Training Act was passed, outlining four primary objectives for boards:

every student reaches their highest education potential
the school is… Read More

Rito (child)

Awhi rito (parents)

Tūpuna (grandparents and ancestors)

E tipu e rea Image

Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Our core principles

  • Whakamana ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • To ensure our membership is well supported, represented and respected.
  • To lead and strengthen school governance in New Zealand.
  • To work with high integrity and focus that adds value in all aspects of the mahi.
  • To advocate and represent in all aspects of the education sector.
  • To recognise and embrace diversity.

Our strategic objectives

  • Provide effective leadership.
  • Provide fit for purpose high quality resources, support and professional development.
  • Promote community and public understanding of the Board’s governance role.
  • A strong and sustainable organisation.
  • Whakamana ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Mission Vision updated
Mission Vision updated v2

Our values

High Accountability
High Accountability
High Expectation
High Expectation
High Trust
High Trust
High Transparency
High Transparency

Our services to all school boards

Advisory and Support Centre
Advisory & Support Centre
Professional Learning
Learning & Professional Development
Emergency Staffing
Emergency Staffing Scheme (ESS)
Support of Kaui
Support of Kāhui Ako
National and Regional
National and Regional Events
Copyright
Copyright Licensing
Regional Hubs
Regional Hubs Advice & Support

As well as representing New Zealand school boards through our role as a professional membership organisation, Te Whakarōputanga also delivers a range of services to all boards, regardless of membership status, as part of a contract-for-service with the Ministry of Education.

Combining our membership and operational outputs supports our mission as the leader for effective school governance Whakamana! Whakaora! ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Our contracted services are available to all state, state-integrated and partnership schools in New Zealand.

Te Whakarōputanga is always focused on how we can best support New Zealand school boards with relevant, practical, accessible, and consistent information, resources, and learning.

Our communications to all boards include:

Becoming an Te Whakarōputanga member board will enable school boards to access our full range of communications, publications, resources and support. Take a look at some of the benefits of membership here.