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A teacher helping their students with school work
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A teacher helping their students with school work
Current teachers

Aspiring Principal Programme

Take the next step in your leadership career and apply for the Aspiring Principal Programme
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A teacher helping their students with school work

Each year the Aspiring Principal Programme accepts 200 applicants who want to make the move to become a principal. The programme is open to experienced educators with high levels of leadership aspiration and potential. You do not need to be an assistant or deputy principal to apply. 

Before making an application, consider the following: 

  • Do I intend to apply for principal roles within the next 2 to 3 years?
  • Am I ready to commit to a programme with diverse programme components while continuing to meet current role expectations?
  • Can I demonstrate formal or informal leadership experience in my current or past roles?

If you can answer yes to all three questions, we welcome your application.

Key programme information

The programme aims to prepare you to lead a school or kura with clarity, cultural competence, and strategic focus. It is designed to combine structured learning, collaboration, and personalised support to connect theory with practice. You will work with a mentor principal and will be required to undertake a practical leadership project in your school. 

Commitment to the programme, including meeting programme expectations, will be carefully managed alongside your teaching workload, other work commitments and time constraints. 

To further support your success, the Ministry will make a contribution of three teacher release days to your school or kura if you are accepted into the programme. 

Applications for the 2026 programme close 5pm, 29 October 2025.

Aspiring principal referee endorsements are required by 5pm, 31 October 2025.

Aspiring Principal Programme
Number of places available
200
Application dates
17 September to 5pm, 29 October 2025
Deadline for referee endorsement
5pm, 31 October 2025
Notification period
To be confirmed
Programme applicant guidance
Read guidance to prepare your application
Go to applicant guidance launch
Programme application form
Ready to make your application?
Go to application form launch

Instructions for referees

As a referee, you will be asked to assess the applicant's readiness, current leadership competency and potential across key capability areas. 

Referees should read the referee guidance linked below and included in the popular resources section of the webpage before completing the online endorsement form. You will also need to know the applicant's MOE number so your endorsement can be matched with their application. 

Read referee guidance
Go to referee guidance launch
Referees - complete a referee endorsement form
Complete here launch

Contact us

Please contact us for additional information about applying for the aspiring principal programme or acting as a referee. We're here to help.

 Principal.pathway@education.govt.nz

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