Rural Teaching Principals Conference 2025

This popular conference is tailor-made by principals for rural and teaching principals with a mix of inspirational keynotes, practical workshops, networking and hauora opportunities. It’s a great way to use any remaining Professional Coaching and Wellbeing Funding. This year’s theme: He awa whiria refers to the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains and is a metaphor for integrating knowledge streams.

Don’t miss out! Register here.

Dr Lucy Hone
Keynote: Resilience: what is it and how can we get more of it for ourselves and others.

Describing her role as a ˜pracademic, Lucy explains, "Too many resilience researchers don't know how to communicate their studies, and too many presenters don't really understand the science's nuances and theories underpinning it. I love being a pracademic who truly gets the evidence but also relishes the challenge of presenting it to people to improve their everyday lives".

A bestselling author, Lucy's books include Resilient Grieving, which details how she coped with her own unimaginable personal loss. Her latest book, The Educators Guide to Whole-School Wellbeing, which addresses challenges faced by schools wanting to improve wellbeing in their school communities.

She is also regularly featured in the global media including The Guardian, The Washington Post and the BBC.

Dr Lucy Hone's goal is to help anyone struggling through change, uncertainty, or loss re-learn how to live in the world around them. In this day and age, everyone needs skills to be resilient. Lucy has helped millions of people realize that an energized, meaningful, joy-filled life is attainable no matter the challenge that lies in front of you.

Wiremu Gray
Keynote: Te Whare Mauri Ora

Wiremu will deliver a powerful keynote on Te Whare Mauri Ora' sharing stories from his journey alongside young people, as well as insights from his own lived experience and those of others.

This heartfelt discussion aims to provide principals and schools with a deeper understanding of a holistic approach to well-being, while exploring the lasting impacts of colonisation—particularly its effects on Māori identity and wellbeing.

Through this conversation, Wiremu will highlight why Te Whare Mauri Ora is a vital framework for fostering bicultural relationships and promoting the well-being of our tamariki, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more connected nation.

• Pre-Presentation Reading:
  
  Te Ao Māori Grounding For Wellbeing Mahi
  Leadership Lab

Nic Low

Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) is a writer, arts festival director and former contributing editor at New Zealand Geographic. He is the author of three acclaimed books, including Uprising: Walking the Southern Alps of New Zealand. His latest, with Phil Dadson, is Little Doomsdays, exploring how previous civilisations sought to preserve what they love when faced with their demise.

Jennifer Smith
Keynote: He Awa Whiria: Braiding Knowledge Systems for Educational Success

He Awa Whiria: Braiding Knowledge Systems for Educational Success explores the power of integrating Māori and Non-Māori knowledge in education. This keynote examines how the He Awa Whiria (Braided Rivers) approach enhances leadership, curriculum design, and community engagement. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, it offers a starting point for creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that honour both mātauranga Māori and Western educational practices, strengthening connections between knowledge systems for the success of all ākonga.

• Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, 52 Cathedal Square & IBIS, 107 Hereford Street: 15% discount off website rate. Valid between 27 - 6 June 2025 (offer is valid up to 14 days prior to arrival and rates are subject to availability).
  Book here.
  
  
• Fable, 166 Gloucester Street15% discount off their website rate.
  Valid between 27 May - 6 June 2025
  Booking code: RTPC25
  
• Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue, Riccarton
  10% discount off room rate. Book online, phone or email: Please quote GNZEI if booking via Phone (03 343 9750) or E-mail or email CHCNZ_RES@hilton.com. 
  

Paddy McNaughton’s
Velocity Karts
CodeBreakers
Escape Artists
The Poplar Social Club
Riverside Market
Little High Eatery
New Regent Quarter
Duel Darts
Christchurch Gondola
Canterbury Museum
International Antarctic Centre
Orana Wildlife Park
Christchurch Tram
Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Quake City
Amiki Tours
He Puna Taimoana

Gold Sponsors:

• SchoolDocs is the online policy and procedure service trusted by more than 75% of all NZ schools. 
• Te Rito Maioha are leaders in primary and early childhood education – growing kaiako, leaders, knowledge and bicultural teaching practice so tamariki learn and thrive. Te Rito Maioha is rated as a Category 1 provider by NZQA and scored ‘Highly Confident’ in Educational Performance and Capability in Self-Assessment. This means you can have absolute confidence in all our programmes. Te Rito Maioha offers two primary qualifications which lead to teacher registration: Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary). 
• Schooled are here for your next level financial services and educational support.
  
  

Silver Sponsors:

• EATucation is an innovative well-being focused Social Enterprise dedicated to delivering evidence-based and ready-made food education resources from ECE to NCEA.
• HealthCarePlus. Your union owned Membership Benefits Programme established by NZEI Te Riu Roa to support their member's financial, physical, and mental, health & wellbeing.
• Educated Furniture is designed and built to stand the test of time and can be customised to cater to all age groups, including early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutes. 
• At Playground Creations, our unique and locally made playgrounds provide a training ground for children to play and learn in a natural environment. They’re a place where children can challenge themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
  
• Carus provides painting and aftercare services specifically for schools across the motu — no matter your location!
  After working with schools from Northland to Stewart Island, we understand the unique needs and challenges of rural schools. Our team focuses on quality, safety, and minimising disruptions for students, staff, and visitors, making school maintenance as smooth as possible.
  Come meet us, have a chat, and try your luck on our prize wheel!
  
• Teamturf has a comprehensive range of artificial turf surfaces designed for primary, intermediate and secondary schools. For more information and examples of our work, go to their website. Or email them at: info@teamturf.co.nz
• Storybox Library is a subscription based educational website, created for children to view stories. Story Tools is a new story writing series that helps students in grades 3-6 master the mechanics of storytelling. We are committed to showcasing the power of stories to children as tools to help us Connect. Engage. Inspire. Educate.
• For over 65 years, Modern Teaching Aids has been your one-stop shop for exceptional teaching resources in New Zealand. We offer a wide selection of over 27,000 world-leading products, from robotics and digital tools to arts & crafts, math materials, and essential classroom supplies. Our passion for education fuels our commitment to understanding educators' needs. We visit classrooms daily to curate the perfect resources for diverse learning styles and empower every child and educator to shine. Let us help you make a difference – explore our extensive collection and learn more today!
• The Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua is a Crown agency that leads the government’s relationship with the tertiary education sector, invests government funding in tertiary education organisations and provides career services from education to employment.

Custom Sponsors:

• Learning Network NZ is a not-for-profit trust committed to supporting New Zealand educators with professional learning that inspires.