This comprehensive full-day conference brings together leaders in education governance, employment, and inclusive practice to explore the evolving legal and cultural landscape of Aotearoa’s schools. Unpack key developments in education law and policy, from recent legislative changes under the Education and Training Act to updates on collective agreements, employment law and best practices in workplace investigations. Focus on creating culturally grounded and future-focused school leadership, with insights into kaupapa Māori practices, strategic planning and governance and policy issues surrounding the introduction of AI. Designed for principals, board members and education professionals, this conference offers both legal clarity and practical inspiration for navigating today’s complex education environment.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and strengthen your governance impact.
Thursday, 26 February 2026
Early Bird Discount ends 19 Dec 2025
11.15am to 12.15pm Employment Law Update: The Evolving Landscape in New Zealand/Aotearoa’s Employment Law
Gain an overview of the recent (and proposed) legislative changes with a specific focus on the impacts on the education sector:
- The proposed changes and deviation from current practice
- The changes that are likely to impact the education sector (e.g. remedies, entitlements)
- The potential ramifications from these changes. Will claimant’s shoehorn these legal claims into other areas (e.g. breach of contract and discrimination claims)?
- What employment lawyers are seeing a lot of (e.g. disputes and claims) and how this may be impacting the education sector
Presented by Murray Grant, Special Counsel, Wotton Kearney and Alex Sclater, Solicitor, Wotton Kearney
10.00am to 11.00am Collective Bargaining Outcomes: An Update for School HR Leaders
With 12 collective agreements being bargained for over the past year, there are numerous changes to employment terms and conditions that schools, as employers, need to be aware of.
- Explore the changes contained in each of the settled collective agreements
- Detail the actions required of schools to implement these settlements and the resources/guidance available to support them
- Provide an update on the progress of any collective agreements that are still being bargained for
Presented by Maynard Scott, National Employment Relations Advisor, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa, New Zealand School Boards Association
12.15pm to 1.15pm Workplace Investigations in the School Environment
Workplace investigations have become a more regular part of the New Zealand legal landscape in recent years. Examine this developing area within the education sector, including:
- When is an investigation appropriate (and prudent)?
- Duties and obligations employers have to investigation participants
- How to effectively manage workplace investigations for both cost and liability
Presented by Andrew Scott-Howman, Barrister and Workplace Investigator, Port Nicholson Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 7 PLD hours
9.00am to 10.00am Unlocking Excellence: A Framework for Effective School Governance
Great governance drives great schools. Explore a powerful new governance framework released by the NZSBA that clarifies your role, strengthens decision-making and keeps your board focused on what matters most. You will bel introduced to key principles, practical tools and real-world strategies to help your board stay strategic, set clear expectations and build strong partnerships. Whether new or experienced, you’ll gain fresh insights and a clear roadmap for success.
Presented by Belinda Weber, Chief Advisor Governance, Te Whakaroputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa New Zealand School Boards Association
Session 1: Navigating Change: Governance, Employment and Investigations
Chair: Maria McKenzie, Cluster Manager, Remutaka Resource Teacher and Learning and Behaviour, Masterton Primary School
3.00pm to 4.00pm Strategic Planning: Empowering Schools to Design and Own Their Strategic Direction
Too many schools engage in unnecessary expenditure to develop a strategic plan that could essentially be used in any school.
- Delve into each of the core elements that make up a strategic plan from the mission and values to the annual plan with the view to make your strategic plan a document that drives the direction of the school.
- During this process you will also touch on some of the mindsets that Principals and leaders can carry, and how they influence our ability to make positive change within our schools
Present by Bruce Kearney, Principal, Rangiora High School
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how kaupapa Māori practices can be meaningfully integrated into school leadership and everyday practice to foster culturally responsive and inclusive learning environments
- Learn how to develop a strategic plan that reflects a school’s unique mission and values
- Understand the governance and policies to consider when introducing AI in your school
11.00am to 11.15am Morning Tea
Learning Objectives:
- Understand recent legislative updates under the Education and Training Act
- Gain knowledge of the latest changes to settled collective agreements
- Identify key developments in employment law affecting schools
- Learn best-practice approaches to conducting workplace investigations in schools
Session 2: Empowering School Communities: Kaupapa Māori, Strategic Planning and AI
Chair: Simon Kenny, Principal, Fergusson Intermediate School
2.00pm to 3.00pm Culturally Empowering Practices in Aotearoa Schools
Explore how kaupapa Māori practices can be woven meaningfully into the fabric of school leadership and everyday practice. Through storytelling, reflection, and practical examples, you will leave with a couple of golden nuggets to apply immediately in your kura. This kōrero is designed to provoke thought, uplift and offer a refreshing perspective beyond the legal lens.
Presented by Nathan Mahikai Riki, Director , Riki Consultancy
4.15pm to 5.15pm AI in Schools: Governance, Risk and Implementation Challenges
Explore the legal, governance and policy considerations of introducing AI in schools, including risk management, compliance and strategies for safe and effective implementation.
Presented by Dr Rod Lane, Director, Learning and Innovation, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa, New Zealand School Boards Association
4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Presenters
Maria McKenzie, Cluster Manager, Masterton Primary SchoolMaria leads a team of itinerant specialist teachers who work across 53 schools in the Wairarapa and Upper Hutt region alongside education and service providers, to identify local needs and resources, and plan support based on the evidence of what works, to best support children and young people to learn, thrive and belong. She has leadership experience and has held governance leadership roles across educational, health, community and not for profit sectors. With an academic background in Psychology, Neuroscience and Education, Counselling and Small Business management Maria has worked across a wide range of sectors supporting people and organisations to embrace and manage transitions and change.
Maynard Scott, National Employment Relations Advisor, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa, New Zealand School Boards Association
Maynard Scott is an in-house lawyer as part of his role as National Employment Relations Advisor at Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand School Boards Association (formerly known as NZSTA). In this role, he provides counsel for the organisation’s network of advisors, is a representative for state and state-integrated school board employers during the bargaining for education sector collective bargaining and pay equity claims and, working with the Ministry of Education and unions, guides the implementation of bargaining and claim settlements within schools in New Zealand. Alongside this work, he is a member of the Committee of the New Zealand Chapter of Australia New Zealand Education Law Association and has contributed to the International Journal of Law and Education. Before employment law, Maynard served two terms on his school’s board, tutored Criminal law and night-managed a university hall of residence home to 300 students.
Nathan Mahikai Riki, Director, Riki Consultancy
With experience entrenched in the enablement of culturally empowering practices. Nathan is a former University Lecturer in Te Reo Māori and Culturally Responsive Practices. An active leader and regarded speaker in the development of safe places for Māori and indigenous communities. Delivering layers of impact for educators, rangatahi Māori, private sector and government organisations
Alexandra Sclater, Solicitor, Wotton Kearney
Simon Kenny, Principal, Fergusson Intermediate School
Simon has been in education for over 25 years now after leaving his career in graphic design and photolithography at the age of 26. He has taught in many schools in Wellington and has been the Principal of a small contributing School (Birchville School) before winning the Principal position at Fergusson Intermediate where he has been for the past 7 years. Leading the school community through the COVID years has been a challenge, but also a huge privilege and opportunity to learn and grow. Simon’s wife is also a Principal and they have a 16 year old son who went to both of their schools as a young student before escaping to college. Simon is passionate about education and empowering all of our amazing young people. He works in a high energy environment and absolutely loves his school, his team and his community.
Murray Grant, Special Counsel, Wotton Kearney
Murray specialises in employment and discrimination law and practice. He has a wide range of experience in all aspects including general HR issues (misconduct, performance management and restructuring), discrimination (including bullying and harassment), whistleblowing and privacy. Before coming to New Zealand in 2017, Murray practised as a civil litigation barrister in England and Wales and has a considerable advocacy background in mediations, tribunals and courts. Since arriving in New Zealand, he advises and represents in mediations (including in the Human Rights Commission), the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), and the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT). His sector experience is varied and most recently includes healthcare, education, real estate, public sector and retail. His experience includes health and safety and data protection/privacy issues. Murray also has considerable experience assisting healthcare professionals in New Zealand with professional indemnity and employment issues.
Andrew Scott-Howman, Barrister and Workplace Investigator, Port Nicholson Chambers
Andrew Scott-Howman is a Wellington based barrister specialising in workplace investigations. He is a graduate of the Association of Workplace Investigator's Training Institute and a member of that specialist interest organisation. He is also a co-author of the Thomson Reuters text "Workplace Bullying in New Zealand". He acts as investigator in both the public and private sectors, and has wide experience in investigating bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct claims.
Belinda Weber, Chief Advisor Governance, Te Whakaroputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa New Zealand School Boards Association
Belinda Weber is the Chief Advisor, Governance at NZSBA, New Zealand School Boards Association, where she leads national work on strengthening school board effectiveness. With a background in governance development, policy design, and sector leadership, Belinda works to support boards to stay strategic, accountable, and student-focused. She was central in designing NZSBA’s refreshed school governance framework and policy suite, helping boards clarify their roles and lift school performance. Known for her clear, practical approach and sector knowledge, Belinda works alongside boards, principals, and advisors to grow governance capability and drive meaningful change across schools in New Zealand.
Dr Rod Lane, Director, Learning and Innovation, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa, New Zealand School Boards Association
Bruce Kearney, Principal, Rangiora High School
Bruce is currently in his second principalship of a secondary school in Canterbury. Previous to taking up the role at Rangiora High School in 2022 he held the position of Principal at Kaiapoi High School since 2011. He started out as a teacher of Commerce at multiple schools both in Canterbury and in Hamilton. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, a Diploma of Teaching and a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership also from Canterbury, and a Certificate in School Leadership from Harvard’s Postgraduate School of Education. He has presented at a number of conferences on two key areas of leadership: strategic planning and change management through changing mindsets.
