Education Council Transition Board appointed

Education Minister Hekia Parata today announced appointments to a Board that will oversee the transition from the existing New Zealand Teachers Council to the proposed Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

“A smooth transition from the current New Zealand Teachers Council to the new body, and its amplified role, will be crucial for embedding the new Council. I have appointed a Board that I believe will achieve this,” Ms Parata says.  

The core tasks of the Transition Board are to:

• Develop a vision and mission for the new Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Propose a strategic plan for the new body.
• Recruit an interim Chief Executive for the new body.
• Ensure business continuity and maintenance of critical capabilities of the New Zealand Teachers Council.
• Ensure optimal engagement and communication with the current New Zealand Teachers Council staff to ensure a smooth transition.
• Oversee the transfer of functions, assets, liabilities and employees from the New Zealand Teachers Council to the new body.
• Engage with the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders over transition issues.
• Provide updates and advice to the Minister of Education (and other Ministers as relevant) as required.

“I am appointing Nancy Bell, Hon Steve Maharey, Paul Mathews, John Morris, Hoana Pearson, Richard Newton, Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith, Dr Margaret Southwick, Arihia Stirling, Linda Tame and Allan Vester as members of the Transition Board.

“I have appointed John Morris as Chair of the Transition Board and Nancy Bell to the position of Deputy Chair.”

“The members are well-regarded in their respective fields, and bring a comprehensive range of skills and experience to the task of establishing a new professional body.”

The New Zealand Teachers Council will continue until legislation is enacted to establish the proposed new Council.

Ms Parata acknowledges the valuable contribution of the New Zealand Teachers Council since its establishment in 2002, and the work of the Board and staff over that time.

“In particular, I would like to thank the current Board for the way they have carried out their work over the last few years while a series of reviews have occurred and wide spread consultation has been carried out on the recommended changes,” Ms Parata says.

“The feedback I have received is that they are pleased to see a number of matters being dealt with that they have sought to change over time. I expect the Board will continue to manage in an exemplary manner their important work while the legislation is considered and a transition pathway is completed.”

Bios:

Board Chair - Mr John Morris  ONZM
John Morris brings considerable experience to the role of Chair of the Transition Board as a former respected secondary school principal and as a member of a number of educational boards. Mr Morris will also bring valuable expertise to the board as a member of the 2012 New Zealand Teachers Council Review Committee (2012).

Deputy Chair - Ms Nancy Bell
Nancy Bell will be the Deputy Chair of the Board.  As Chief Executive of the New Zealand Childcare Association she has extensive experience in the early childhood education sector, from teaching in early childhood centres through to lecturing on early childhood education (ECE) at a university level. Ms Bell brings further experience as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group which led consultation on proposals to build a strong, professional body for the education profession.

Hon Steve Maharey CNZM  
Steve Maharey is Vice-Chancellor of Massey Univeristy.  He has a wealth of experience in governance. Prior to taking up his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Massey at the end of 2008, Hon Maharey was a Government Minister for nine years, including two years as Minister of Education. He was the Member of Parliament for Palmerston North from 1990 until 2008. Hon Maharey is currently working on new approaches to government and the public service in the 21st century.

Mr Paul Mathews
Paul Mathews is Principal of Kaingaroa School. He brings experience working across the school sector having worked in, and held senior and middle management positions in intermediate, secondary and primary schools; and state-integrated, private and state schools.  Mr Mathews also brings a regional perspective to the Transition Board.

Mr Richard Newton
Richard Newton is principal of St Clair School, Dunedin. He brings strong leadership skills, informed insights and sound education beliefs to his work.  His collaborative school leadership skills are widely recognised within the Otago area and he acts both formally and informally in a mentoring role to numerous principals.

Ms Hoana Pearson
Ms Pearson is Principal of Newton Central School in Auckland, an innovative inner city multicultural school. The school is renowned nationally and internationally for its success in Māori Medium education. Ms Pearson also holds a number of education leadership positions.

Dr Margaret Southwick QSM
Dr Southwick is the Project Manager, People Performance and Capability at Whitireia Community Polytechnic. She has extensive experience on government and community boards and as a member of the Nursing Council of New Zealand will bring this valuable experience to her role as a member of the Transition Board.

Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith
Professor Smith is Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Te Whare Wānanga Awanuiārangi.  Professor Smith brings a very strong educational background to this role having taught from primary school to tertiary level. He an internationally renowned and a prominent educator who has been at the forefront of education initiatives in his field and beyond. 

Ms Arihia Stirling
Arihia Stirling has many years experience as a teacher in Māori Medium education and has been Principal of Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae for 16 years. She brings extensive knowledge of practical schooling and Māori immersion education and pedagogy to the Board  Her experience as a member of the  Ministerial Advisory Group which led consultation on proposals to build a strong, professional body for the education profession is a valuable addition.

Mrs Linda Tame
Linda Tame has proven experience as a principal and educator leading diverse teams Mrs Tame was most recently Principal of Lincoln High School. She has been an executive member of the Secondary Principals Association and other principals groups and brings a srongly collaborative approach to her work with the sector and to her educational roles.

Mr Allan Vester
Allan Vester Vester is a long serving and respected principal of Edgewater College and is also Chairperson of New Zealand Secondary Principals’ Council, He is currently chair of a cluster of primary, intermediate and secondary schools in his local area and has a long history of involvement in his community.