Waikato Principal's Association 2026 Kaupapa - Supporting Resilient Educational Leadership
Welcome to the Waikato Principals' Association
Welcome to 2026.
The Waikato Principals’ Association (WPA) is the collective voice for primary and intermediate school principals in the greater Waikato region.
WPA is a strong lobby and support group that has influence at both the local and national level
The WPA is a strong and viable professional organisation that has a history of successful service, initiatives and representation of principals’ interests in addressing the needs of primary and intermediate school education in New Zealand.
Waikato Principals' Association 2026 Kaupapa
“Supporting Resilient Educational Leadership”
Schools act as collective, visible, and ongoing educational environments where actions support a shared vision of a commitment to growth through practices that inspire, support, and sustain a school culture centered on learning.
He Manawa tītī – “A person with the heart of a tītī,” Someone with great endurance, perseverance, and resilience, often used to honour leaders or staff who have demonstrated long-term commitment despite challenges.
Waikato Principals' Association 2026 Events
Making Connections Days 2026
Term 2 (Week 6) Thursday 28th May 2026
Term 3 (Week 6) Thursday 27th August 2026
Term 4 (Week3) Thursday 29th October 2026
WPA Study Tour Singapore 26th June to 3rd July 2026
SOLD OUT!!!
Please email the WPA administrator to indicate your interest and to be added to our “wait list”. [email protected]
Why Singapore?
Participation in the Waikato Principals Association Singapore Delegation 2026 represents an exceptional professional learning opportunity. This visit, marking ten years since the original delegation to Singapore in 2016, will allow principals to experience first-hand one of the world’s most highly regarded education systems. Engaging directly with Singaporean educators and seeing their practices in action will provide valuable insights into innovative teaching, leadership, and system-level strategies that are currently influencing global education trends, including those currently shaping our own sector in New Zealand.
The delegation will strengthen international networks, deepen our understanding of future-focused education initiatives, and inspire new thinking to enhance outcomes in our schools. The knowledge and connections gained will have a lasting impact, benefitting not only individual principals but also the communities and learners we serve.
Costs: $3,500NZD
- Return Airfares: $2,000 Return – Principals to book own airfare and travel insurance.
- Recommended Flights Friday 26th June:
- Accommodation, Transfers, Events, Tours, and Professional Development: $1500
- WPA will subsidise participants with dinners, gifts for speakers, buses, and taxis.
- Scholarships x 10 available on application to the WPA President for U1, U2 and U3 Principals
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
- Trip Dates: 26 June 2026 to 3 July 2026
Who Should Attend?
This trip is open to all principals who are members of the Waikato Principals Association and are eager to expand their professional horizons, collaborate with international peers, and bring back fresh perspectives to their schools.
We eagerly anticipate your participation in this transformative and exciting learning journey. This is an excellent opportunity for school boards to invest in the future trajectory of your school, with significant subsidies from the WPA. We encourage you to seize this chance to enhance your leadership skills and contribute to the future success of your institution.
For more information and registrations, click here
Term 2 Making Connections Day Thursday 28th May 2026
Waikato Principals’ Connections Day – Term 2, 2026
Date: Thursday 28 May 2026 (Week 6) – Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Register now to secure your place: Register by Clicking Here
2026 Kaupapa – Building Resilient Leadership.
Join fellow Waikato principals for a day of professional connection, insight, and practical learning. Engage with experienced leaders and explore strategies to support effective leadership in today’s complex environment.
Featured Speaker: Susan Hassall, ONZM
Former Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School (2000–2024), Susan brings extensive leadership experience. Currently Chancellor of the University of Waikato, she offers deep insight into educational leadership and change.
She has also been an Executive Member of the Association of Boys’ Schools since its inception in 2002, and has an abiding interest in, and involvement with, gifted education, having contributed to the Minister’s Advisory Group for many years.
In March 2016 Susan joined the University of Waikato Council, becoming Pro-Chancellor in 2017, and then Chancellor in July 2025. She is also a member of The University of Waikato Foundation.
Susan is also Chair of the Hospice Waikato Trust, returning to its Board after being its acting CEO for 10 months in 2024-2025. In 2021 Susan became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her ‘Services to Education’. Susan contributes to the wider community as a Justice of the Peace and as a Funeral celebrant.
Collaborative Session: Sport Waikato
Matthew Cooper (CEO) and Nikki Willis (Professional Learning Partner) share practical strategies with real-world examples and achievable approaches for schools.
Utilising local insights and data, she will highlight what we are seeing across schools, what it means in practice and where the opportunities lie. Expect practical examples, informed insights and simple, achievable ways to ease pressure points and strengthen your school environment.
Unpack the realities principals are navigating every day, and explore practical, often overlooked solutions that can make a genuine difference without adding to workload.
As a former Deputy Principal of Te Kowhai School, Nikki will draw on her lived experience to show how Sport Waikato can partner with schools to enable better outcomes through movement, environments and approaches designed to support all learners. You will see how increasing movement throughout the day can influence behaviour, wellbeing and engagement and support focus, regulation and learning. Nikki will also cover initiatives such as Positive Vibes Only (PVO) and Tū Manawa funding and the practical support they provide.
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