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Te Pā Rea Rangatira
National Centre for Educational Leadership
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Pacific-Led Education
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Languages, Culture & Identity
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Literacy and Numeracy
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Mō mātou

About Us

Tui Tuia | Learning Circle empowers Kāhui Ako, kaiako, teachers, school leaders and tumuaki to achieve better outcomes for students and learners.

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All languages are to be treasured

Languages, Culture & Identity

We offer programmes, workshops, in-person classroom support, online support and resources to help strengthen language learning in New Zealand schools.

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Cultural competencies

Pacific-Led Education

Empowering educators, students, and communities to shape a future of educational excellence that is firmly rooted in Pacific identity and aspirations.

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Improving instructional dexterity

Literacy and Numeracy

We work with schools to build the literacy and numeracy capability of school leaders and teachers to accelerate learning outcomes for all students.

National Centre for Educational Leadership

Te Pā Rea Rangatira

Together with our sector-based peak body representatives and key strategic partners, we’re excited to share our vision of a kaupapa that is Aotearoa New Zealand-centric and focuses on growing the capability of school leadership.

Leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand

Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa is what connects us. Regardless of our origin, lived experience and unique needs, we are connected by our experience living in a Pacific nation, with Te Tiriti o Waitangi as our guide for a uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand Leadership Centre.

Our focus is supporting Middle Leaders, Aspiring Principals, Deputy Principals, and Principals in schools across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Central to our kaupapa is the ability to move forward together, connecting educational leaders to networks of shared expertise, with the intent of elevating best practice and supporting one another on this journey through leadership.

Yvonne Lim, director

Whakataukī

Māori
English

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere. 
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōnā te ao.

The forest belongs to the bird who feasts on the miro berry. The world belongs to the bird who feasts on education.

Curriculum framework

We have identified seven professional leadership domains in a framework designed to respond year-on-year to the opportunities and problems of leadership experienced by school leaders.

Culturally Sustaining Practices

Grow educators' and leaders' capability to create culturally sustaining and inclusive education environments.
Inspire educators and leaders to prioritise the commitment to language, culture, and identity.
Support educators and leaders to work alongside whānau, iwi and hapū as they give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and mātauranga Māori.

Professional & Pedagogical Practice

Grow educators and leaders to use curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in ways that lead to excellent and equitable student outcomes.
Inspire educators and leaders to establish a long-term vision and strategic planning to bring out the best in learners, whānau, communities and educators.
Support educators and leaders to be relational, reflective, confident, evidence-based, practitioners.

Inclusive, Equitable & Ethical Practice

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to develop learning environments that enable every learner to reach their full potential including the most vulnerable members of our community.
Inspire educators and leaders to provide an educational setting that supports young people and their whānau to have choices that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Support educators' and leaders' moral purpose and ability to act ethically in the service of others.

Connecting with Learners, Whānau & Communities

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to connect with and serve their communities and grow inclusive, supportive school cultures.
Inspire educators and leaders to engage learners, whānau, colleagues and communities to build productive, reciprocal relationships and collaborative ways of working.
Support learners, educators and leaders to develop reach and impact beyond their local experience, through nationwide and global connections.

Hauora

Hauora

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to develop environments where everyone can thrive.
Inspire educators and leaders to promote wellbeing practices.
Support educators and leaders to reflect and take action on one's own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

Personal & Continuous Improvement

Grow educators and leaders to understand and refine their own beliefs, values, and leadership approaches to improve education outcomes.
Inspire cycles of professional inquiry and evaluation.
Support educators and leaders to share their experience as lifelong learners, mentor others and work across schools to develop the next generation of leaders, and uplift the growing number of Māori and Pasifika leaders in education.

Operational Effectiveness

Grow educators and leaders to understand and refine their own beliefs, values, and leadership approaches to improve education outcomes.
Inspire cycles of professional inquiry and evaluation.
Support educators and leaders to share their experience as lifelong learners, mentor others and work across schools to develop the next generation of leaders, and uplift the growing number of Māori and Pasifika leaders in education.

Culturally Sustaining Practices

Grow educators' and leaders' capability to create culturally sustaining and inclusive education environments.
Inspire educators and leaders to prioritise the commitment to language, culture, and identity.
Support educators and leaders to work alongside whānau, iwi and hapū as they give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and mātauranga Māori.

Professional & Pedagogical Practice

Grow educators and leaders to use curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in ways that lead to excellent and equitable student outcomes.
Inspire educators and leaders to establish a long-term vision and strategic planning to bring out the best in learners, whānau, communities and educators.
Support educators and leaders to be relational, reflective, confident, evidence-based, practitioners.

Inclusive, Equitable & Ethical Practice

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to develop learning environments that enable every learner to reach their full potential including the most vulnerable members of our community.
Inspire educators and leaders to provide an educational setting that supports young people and their whānau to have choices that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Support educators' and leaders' moral purpose and ability to act ethically in the service of others.

Connecting with Learners, Whānau & Communities

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to connect with and serve their communities and grow inclusive, supportive school cultures.
Inspire educators and leaders to engage learners, whānau, colleagues and communities to build productive, reciprocal relationships and collaborative ways of working.
Support learners, educators and leaders to develop reach and impact beyond their local experience, through nationwide and global connections.

Hauora

Grow educators' and leaders' capacity to develop environments where everyone can thrive.
Inspire educators and leaders to promote wellbeing practices.
Support educators and leaders to reflect and take action on one's own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

Personal & Continuous Improvement

Grow educators and leaders to understand and refine their own beliefs, values, and leadership approaches to improve education outcomes.
Inspire cycles of professional inquiry and evaluation.
Support educators and leaders to share their experience as lifelong learners, mentor others and work across schools to develop the next generation of leaders, and uplift the growing number of Māori and Pasifika leaders in education.

Operational Effectiveness

Grow educators' and leaders' knowledge and understanding of the relationship between vision, school goals, and operational practices.
Inspire the creation and resourcing of environments that enable teachers to teach effectively and students to thrive and succeed.
Support educators and leaders to efficiently and effectively manage time, finance, resources, property, personnel, and legal requirements.

Hauora
awheawhe e haere ake nei

Discover your development pathway

Upgrade your skills and knowledge with our range of evidence-based, professional learning opportunities.
Growing Great Leaders™: Leading from the Middle
Educational Leadership

Growing Great Leaders™: Leading from the Middle

GGL™ Leading from the Middle recognises the many unique challenges of Middle Leadership. This is reflected in a course design which has been crafted to ensure that those who complete this powerful professional learning series are equipped with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to fulfil the demands of the role, build an effective team and lead improvement.

Live
Learning Schools
Educational Leadership
Literacy

Learning Schools

Tui Tuia’s Educational Leadership has a team of experts who can work in partnership with you and the Te Pūtahi | Woolf Fisher Research Centre to co-design for improvement in School-wide Assessment Capability for Leadership Teams.

On Demand
Growing Great Leaders™: TEAMS
Educational Leadership

Growing Great Leaders™: TEAMS

Growing Great Leaders™: TEAMS (GGL™ TEAMS) is designed to raise the effectiveness of your leadership team, and strengthen its ability to consistently achieve its student-centred goals.

On Demand

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Whakangūngū

Our Professional
Learning Offerings

Our team is dedicated to empowering school leaders as they pursue excellent and equitable outcomes for their students. Through research-informed and highly practical leadership development offerings, we work to affirm, challenge and enhance the skills and knowledge of school leaders at all career stages.

Aotearoa New Zealand

  • Providing engaging, research-informed leadership development opportunities for leaders at all career stages - middle, senior, principal, and system leadership.
  • Offering high quality, bespoke leadership learning to individuals and school leadership teams.
  • Working in partnership with Kāhui Ako to meet their community’s unique leadership development challenges.
  • Empowering leaders to build relationships while doing the work required to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes for all students.
  • Providing flexible and engaging modes of learning - face to face, online and blended. 
  • Equipping school leaders with the skills and knowledge required to effectively lead improvement in their context.

Around the world

  • Designing and delivering bespoke leadership development offerings to gain excellent and equitable outcomes for all students.
  • Offering high quality leadership learning to individuals and school leadership teams.
  • Equipping school leaders with the skills and knowledge required to effectively lead improvement in their context.
  • Providing flexible and engaging modes of learning - face toface, online and blended. 
  • Working in partnership with education authorities to meet their system’s contextually unique leadership development challenges.
  • Enhancing the leadership capabilities and understandings of senior school and system leaders. 
  • Supporting the career development of teachers and leaders at all stages of their professional life.
whanonga pono

Our Principles

Our work is informed by rigorous educational leadership research and the practical experience of our team of researchers, past principals, and senior leaders. We are committed to improving student outcomes through building leadership expertise.

Our latest mahi

Explore our evidence-based development opportunities, success stories, and transformative insights that can empower your leadership journey.

Michigan State University (MSU) Study Tour

We recently welcomed MSU's esteemed academics on their journey of discovery through our unique educational landscape. We designed an engaging week-long tour packed with insights into the research and theory underpinning our curriculum frameworks, with a focus on literacy, educational leadership, and Māori & Pacific-led initiatives. Our guests also visited schools and experienced the beauty of Te Tai Tokerau Northland's iconic attractions!

If you would like to organise a bespoke study tour experience for your team, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Contact us
Growing Great Leaders™ for International Partners

Take your team's leadership to the next level. Learn more about our research-informed approach to school improvement leadership for international partners!

Learn more
Principal Wellbeing

This suite of professional learning is designed to give Principals the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of experts, connect and learn from peers and embed sustainable wellbeing practices.

Learn more
Peninsula Primary School Testimonial

Hear what Peninsula Primary had to say about how our Growing Great Leaders™ workshop positively influenced their leadership team.

Learn more
Learning Schools Overview

Learning Schools is an approach to improve valued student learning outcomes by working in partnership with schools. Learn more by accessing our brochure below!

Learn more
principal wellbeing - principals talking while sitting on comfy chairs
ā tātou

Our People

Our passionate and experienced kaiwhakaruruhau facilitators are dedicated to delivering world class PLD for schools across New Zealand, the Pacific, Australia and internationally. They are supported by our Senior Leadership Team.

Dr Linda Bendikson
Dr Linda Bendikson
Leadership Consultant
Sean Bailey
Sean Bailey
Principal Wellbeing Facilitator
Brenda Martin
Brenda Martin
Practice Partner
Dr Mei Lai
Dr Mei Lai
Director | Learning Schools
Linda Miller
Linda Miller
Senior Leadership Consultant
Perry Rush
Perry Rush
Programme Director and Stakeholder Engagement
Esther Hall
Esther Hall
Programme Coordinator
Richard Newton
Richard Newton
Senior Leadership Consultant
Martin Turner
Martin Turner
Leadership Consultant
Ko ngā kōrero angitū

Making an impact

Hear from educators whose practice have been positively impacted by our innovative approach to learning and professional development.

Principal Wellbeing PLD

"It's scientific, it's based on evidence, and it's tailored. The lens is a Principal CEO lens so it's mindful of the many balls that we have in the air. I really like how it's linked to science and physiology and anatomy and that speaks to me. It is really evidence-based and it references medical journals. It's very practical; I feel like I've left the sessions with really pragmatic things that I can implement straight away and it's actually had an impact on me straight away."

Paula Wine, Principal/Tumuaki of Woodstock Primary School, Hamilton

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Hugely valuable

I recently attended the two-day Open to Learning Leadership workshop and found it to be hugely valuable.

It provided me with a framework to explore my own beliefs and how they inform my actions (or inactions) and therefore the way in which I engage in conversations, or perhaps avoid conversations.  It challenged me around the ‘undiscussables’ that exist within groups and organisations, and how we owe our colleagues the respect of surfacing these in a respectful way but perhaps don’t always have the tools to do this.

Celia Fleck

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Best professional learning experience

Linda and her team led one of best professional learning experiences I have been involved with in my many roles in secondary schools. The Growing Great Leaders Level 1 course has given me clear artefacts in the form of templates and flow charts to use in a range of situations. I would highly recommend this course to all leadership teams to engage with.

Martin Bennett

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Michigan State University Study Tour

“We are very grateful to you and the Tui Tuia Learning Circle team for all the support and assistance provided to the MSU Global EPLP participants over the past several months. The collaborative efforts involved in planning, organizing, and preparing for the October New Zealand field experience resulted in a very successful 2023 program.

The positive comments and sincere expressions of appreciation made during our wrap-up call yesterday are indicative of the impact of this years’ experience. Thanks again for your efforts and your friendship.  We look forward to future collaboration opportunities.” 

Dan Schultz, MSU College of Education

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Positive Leadership

I learned a lot about positive and effective leadership within the education sphere, and what a good leader looks, sounds, and feels like within a school. I also got to network with lots of other teachers who shared their experiences and situations with me and had lots of advice and encouragement to share.
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Understanding Leadership

I have been able to deepen my understanding on Leadership, understand the new research and build a good ground on which to inspire my team.
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Good Leadership Knowledge

I have achieved a good knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of leadership.
Watch video

Poipoia te pā harakeke
He puāwaitanga anamata

Through nurturing learners, educators, leaders and communities, our future will flourish.

Our Vision
He kaupapa anō tāu?

Seeking something specific?
Reach out and let's make it happen

We can create bespoke course offerings to suit you and your school or kura's needs. Get in touch with us today so we can tailor our approach in helping you and your learning community!

Get in touch
SEPANZ logo
NZAIMS logoNew Zealand  Rural Schools Leadership Association logo
NZASA logoNZ Pasifika Principals’ Association logo
Partner organisations

Steering group members

We have joined forces to work alongside 10 Principal Peak Bodies, and 4 Kaitiaki (Strategic Advisory Partners) to co-create an educational leadership curriculum framework.

Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools (AIMS)
Special Education Principals’ Association of NZ (SEPANZ)
NZ Pasifika Principals’ Association (NZPPA)
NZ Catholic Primary Principals Association (NZCPPA)
NZ Area Schools Association (NZASA)
NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association (NZRASLA)
Auckland Primary Principals’ Association (APPA)
Auckland Secondary Principals’ Association (ASSPA)
Wellington Regional Primary Principals’ Association (WRPPA)
Secondary Principals’ Association of NZ (SPANZ)

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