Te Whakamatuatanga Te Rau Tītoki mō ngā Tumuaki Kura ā-Rohe
Area School Principals' Te Rau Tītoki Leave
Take a leadership role in your community with Te Rau Tītoki paid leave
Image
calendar_today
Last updated 4 June 2026
Area School Principals' Te Rau Tītoki Leave gives you paid leave for 10, 20 or 30 school weeks so you can take time to be involved in areas of leadership in your community. Each year, we offer 18 sabbaticals to principals in state and state-integrated area schools. At least 5 of these sabbaticals are reserved for Te Rau Tītoki Leave. Please note, we do not reimburse costs associated with this leave.
Te Rau Tītoki refers to the Tītoki tree that flowers only in the spring. The seed is held on the tree for a year and then falls to the ground. In that year, the Tītoki seed grows, matures and develops into the Tītoki tree.
Application period now open
You must have ESL access to apply. Your ESL account must be linked to your current school with “TeachNZ Study Awards” role. Contact your school’s ESL Delegated Authoriser or visit the Applications & Online Systems website for help.
Applications for the 2027 Area School Principals' Te Rau Tītoki Leave are open.
To apply for an Area School Principals' Te Rau Tītoki leave, you must:
be employed as an area school principal in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school
be employed under the Area School Principals’ Collective Agreement (ASPCA) or applicable individual employment agreement (IEA)
have completed at least 5 years' service as a principal in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school
have the support of your school board and the submission of a proposal of work to be undertaken during the leave.
We give preference to applicants who meet the eligibility and assessment criteria and who have not received a study award or sabbatical in the last 5 years.
You can apply for both the Area School Principals' Sabbatical and Te Rau Tītoki leave, but you can only accept and undertake one type of leave.
Some tips to help you complete the required written questions on the form. You need to include the following in your proposal:
Outline the leadership activities you will undertake.
Provide details on how you will be working with your community during the leave.
Expected time commitments.
Anticipated benefits to you, your school, and the wider community.
You will also be asked to provide generic employment information.
Make sure to upload your supporting documents to the online application form or you will be unable to apply.
If you are unable to provide evidence to support your application before the closing date, please email teacher.studyawards@education.govt.nz to be considered for a late application.
Contact us
If you have any questions, we're here to help.
See our Contact us page for more information on how to get in touch.
