NZPF Membership’s Response to Budget 2025

Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

What You Told Us About Budget 2025

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts in our recent Budget 2025 survey. Our NZPF Researcher, Dr Kim Hailwood, has now completed a full analysis—and it’s packed with insights straight from principals across the motu.

Your responses shed light on what matters most to you in the wake of the 22 May Budget announcements, and they’re already helping to shape NZPF’s advocacy work.

We know you'll be keen to see what your colleagues had to say, so dive into the full survey analysis. Here is the link to our Survey Results.

Conference Season Reflections

For the past two weeks, I have been attending regional and national conferences. It’s a privilege to be invited to your events and to spend time with you kanohi ki te kanohi. Thank you for welcoming me and thank you for the opportunity to kōrero with your members.

To SPANZ - thank you for inviting me to attend your National Conference in Wellington. I appreciated the opportunity to engage with your members and want to acknowledge the strong leadership within your organisation. I’d particularly like to thank Vaughan Couillault of Papatoetoe High School for his service as outgoing SPANZ President. Vaughan has worked closely with NZPF on several working groups, helping to strengthen our joint advocacy work and build stronger connections between our organisations.

Congratulations to incoming SPANZ President, Louise Ānaru of Kaitaia College. I look forward to working with you in your new role.

I also want to thank the organisers of the NZEI Te Riu Roa Rural and Teaching Principals Conference. There is a unique collegiality that comes from being alongside rural and remote principals. These leaders are the heart of their communities, and when they come together, it’s clear how much they value the opportunity to share, reflect, and uplift one another.

I also want to acknowledge the constructive time spent with NZEI President Ripeka Lessels, National Secretary Stephanie Mills, and Principal Council Chair Stephanie Madden. It is often at conferences that Regional and National Presidents, alongside their Executives, get to meet informally. Having the space to kōrero - outside of scheduled meetings - is invaluable - just as it is for you to connect with your colleagues. These moments help deepen our understanding and strengthen the partnership between our members and our organisations.

Finally, I’m currently attending the Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association Conference, with the theme Navigating the Complexities of Change. Over the next few days, I know there will be important kōrero about the challenges of changes we face now and those yet to come. I’m looking forward to the discussions ahead.

Ngā mihi nui to all who make these gatherings possible - it is in these spaces that our collective strength and wisdom truly shine.

Ngā Manaakitanga,