What is a school board of trustees? 

Almost all state and state-integrated schools in New Zealand have a Board of Trustees. School board membership includes parent representatives, a staff representative, a student representative (where there are students above Year 9) and the principal. Your board may also include other types of trustees. Contact your school for more information on the composition of your school’s board. 

Who can become a trustee? 

Parents, caregivers and people from the wider community can put their name forward to be on a school board during the board of trustee elections. 

What do trustees do? 

The board is accountable to its parents and community and for student progress and achievement. Here are some specific things a board does:

• Sets the strategic direction and plans for the school and monitors the school’s progress against them. 
• Monitors and evaluates student progress.
• Oversees the management of staff, property, finances, curriculum and administration.
• Ensures that the educational needs and aspirations of Maori learners, Pasifika learners and learners with special learning and behaviour needs are identified, planned for and met.
• Fulfils the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage. 
• Appoints and supports the principal and assesses their performance. 

What skills do trustees need? 

Trustees are active leaders in their schools and need to work well in a team, ask challenging questions and have good communications skills. Boards need a balance of skills and experiences around the table to ensure effective processes for planning, monitoring, reporting and reviewing of the school’s performance are in place. 

What help do school trustees get?

New Zealand School Trustees Association provides free advice around employment and governance, support and resources. NZSTA also provides a variety of professional development opportunities for trustees.

Please click on the following link to find out more information:

https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/korari/