Boards of schools and kura

This page links to information and resources regarding school board constitutions, responsibilities, elections, governing legislation and more.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Inform

  • School boards
  • Principals and tumuaki
  • Proprietors
  • Teachers and kaiako
  • Parents, caregivers and whānau

More reading on these topics is essential as it regards information and mandatory action for board members. 

About school boards

Every state and state-integrated school or kura in New Zealand has a board. A board's core role is to govern its school(s) or kura.

Governance of a school/kura includes things such as:

  • setting the strategic direction and targets for the school/kura
  • planning towards and reporting on achieving those targets
  • curriculum management
  • financial and property management
  • policies and procedures
  • health and safety
  • employment of staff at the school or kura.

The Education and Training Act 2020 made some changes to strengthen school governance and focus on what matters most for learners and their whānau. This means boards have specific responsibilities under the Act, as well as other Acts and legislation.

What boards do

Learn about:

  • roles and responsibilities
  • relevant legislation, and
  • consulting on school rules.

What boards do

How boards work

Learn about:

  • board structures
  • boards of schools other than state schools.

How boards work

Support for boards

Learn about:

  • New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA)
  • interventions at schools and kura.

Support for boards

Board elections

Learn about:

  • triennial, mid-term and by-elections
  • election planning
  • election extensions
  • election validations and invalidations
  • board elections funding

Board elections

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