Take control of the legal and governance challenges facing your school at the Auckland Education Law Conference 2026. You will gain practical guidance on New Zealand education law, student rights and discipline and child protection and neglect. Delve into the essential issues of school privacy obligations, access to information and the Education Review Office (ERO) priorities plus the Principal and Board responsibilities. Navigate through concerns in performance management and social media together with the experts. Walk away with clearer answers, practical strategies and greater confidence to manage legal risk, make defensible decisions, respond to difficult situations and strengthen governance in your school. Designed for New Zealand principals, school leaders and board members, this conference will help you protect your students, staff and school while meeting your legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Presenters

Arran Hunt, Partner, Lane Neave
After spending a decade designing solutions as a technical business analyst, Arran began work as a lawyer with a focus on technology and the internet. While much of his work is commercial, working with companies who focus on the delivery of technological solutions, he also has strong involvement on how technology impacts society. He has appeared numerous times for clients under the Harmful Digital Communication Act 2015, including the first civil matter under the legislation. and has spoken and written widely on the benefits and detriments of social media. With his background in technology, and a degree in science, he is often called to comments on new technology and any related legal impacts that will develop, having a greater understanding those most others in the legal profession.

Andrea Twaddle, Director, DTI Lawyers 
Andrea is an experienced, highly effective, specialist employment lawyer and workplace investigator. Andrea is well known for providing astute, commercially sound and pragmatic advice. Her experience as a Director and prior career in human resources ensures a first-hand understanding that people are essential to an organisation’s success and that there are rewards and challenges that arise from managing staff. Andrea is recognised as one of few specialists in the greater Waikato region to conduct high quality, independent workplace investigations into allegations of misconduct (including harassment and bullying). She is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI), and holds the AWI Institute Certificate in international best practice investigations. Andrea has a specialist interest in sport and recreation, and education. She is a Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Sports Tribunal, the Selection Review and Appeals Commissioner for Rowing New Zealand and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association. Andrea has expertise in the health (in particular mental health) and education sectors. She provides advice and representation in Coronial Inquiries. Andrea was Counsel for respondent employers in the pay equity claim for Support Workers in the mental health sector, from which a successful settlement was negotiated with Government and legislation followed.


Rachael Judge, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Rachael is a Partner in Simpson Grierson’s employment law group. Rachael advises and represents clients in all aspects of employment and education law, including both contentious and non-contentious matters. Rachael works closely with independent and state schools on matters such as terms of enrolment, student disciplinary issues, student human rights claims, school policies and the Children’s Act 2014. She also advises schools in relation to their employment agreements and staff disciplinary issues. Rachael regularly attends mediations and represents clients in Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Human Rights Review Tribunal matters.


Fiona McMillan, Partner, Lane Neave
Fiona is the Auckland Partner of the Lane Neave Employment Law team and commenced her career with Lane Neave in 2007. Fiona and her team act for both employees and employers in matters involving employment relations, health and safety, human rights, privacy and ACC. Fiona advises on all aspects of termination including performance management, misconduct, serious misconduct, medical incapacity, restructurings and redundancies and negotiated exits. She also specialises in collective bargaining, human rights commission matter and independent external investigations. In 2019, Fiona undertook the certification from the Association of Workplace Investigators in Vail, Colorado, USA. Fiona regularly represents employers in Mediations, Employment Relations Authority Investigation meetings and the Employment Court. In 2022 and 2023, she was recognised as an Elite Woman in NZ Lawyer’s annual rankings. Fiona has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading employment and health and safety practitioner in New Zealand.


David Graham, Principal, Goodwood School
David Graham is an experienced school leader having led primary schools across the Waikato for over 25 years. He is currently the principal of Goodwood School (a primary school of 400 students). In 2026, Goodwood School won the New Zealand Education Excellence Award for School Leadership (Large Primary School). David is a mentor in the National Aspiring Principals’ Programme and has an interest in supporting school leaders to manage multiple and often competing legislative demands.

Leo Donnelly, ONZM, Barrister, Education Law NZ
Leo Donnelly ONZM is a former Ombudsman of New Zealand and is one of New Zealand’s leading experts in official information and privacy law. As an Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman and a senior investigator at the Office of the Ombudsman, Leo spent 3 decades investigating and reviewing complaints about the administrative actions and procedures of state sector organisations and recommending resolutions to promote fair, just and transparent delivery of services to the public. This involved assessing individual actions and omissions in the context of an organisations systems and culture and statutory responsibilities. Leo brings governance and strategy expertise and wide experience in complaint handling and dispute resolution.


Shelley Booysen, Deputy Chief Executive, Review and Improvement Schools, Education Review Office
As Deputy Chief Executive of Review and Improvement Services - Schools, Shelley Booysen leads ERO's programme of review and evaluation across English-medium schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. She is responsible for ensuring ERO's engagement with schools supports meaningful improvement, strengthens educational practice, and contributes to better outcomes for learners. With a career spanning classroom teaching, senior leadership, principalship, and a range of executive roles within ERO, Shelley brings deep knowledge of the education system and a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing schools and communities. Her experience across both school and system leadership gives her a unique perspective on what drives sustainable improvement and learner success. A passionate advocate for equitable and excellent education, Shelley is committed to ensuring every learner has access to high-quality teaching, effective leadership, and learning environments where they can thrive. She believes that strong relationships, thoughtful evaluation, and a relentless focus on learner outcomes are key to creating lasting positive change for children and young people. Driven by ERO's whakatauki "Ko te tamaiti te pūtake o te kaupapa", which translates to "The child — the heart of the matter" Shelley champions approaches that support schools to focus on what matters most: ensuring all children, regardless of background or circumstance, can experience success, wellbeing, and a strong sense of belonging in their education journey.


David Ferguson, Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer, Education Review Office
David joins ERO following a career in education leadership spanning schools, governance and system improvement. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive of the Teachers' Institute and has also held leadership and governance roles as Chair of the Teaching Council and a member of the NZQA Board. Prior to this, David was Headmaster of Westlake Boys High School for 15 years. David brings extensive experience in education, organisational leadership and public service. He is committed to ensuring ERO's work provides high-quality evidence and insights that support better decision-making and improved outcomes for learners across Aotearoa New Zealand. As Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer, David leads ERO’s work to evaluate and improve the education system, providing trusted evidence and insights to government, educators and communities, while also driving continuous improvement across ERO’s own practices and performance.