Learn about the Ministry-funded Beginning Principal Programme
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Last updated 22 October 2026
Starting your first principal role is an exciting step in your leadership journey. The Beginning Principal Programme provides support, guidance, and professional learning to help you build confidence, capability, and connections during your first two years in the role.
The Beginning Principal Programme is available to:
first-time permanently appointed principals in state and state-integrated schools
acting principals appointed for longer than one school term.
If you are appointed as an acting principal for up to one term your local Leadership Advisor can provide support.
A Pasifika man talks to the camera. Text at the bottom of the screen introduces him as “Banapa Avatea, Principal at Flat Bush School and Beginning Principal Mentor”.
Banapa speaks, “I think I knew I was ready to be a principal when I had ideas and thoughts and I had aspirations and dreams for our children that I realised that to be able to bring to fruition, I needed to be the leader of a school to do so. I wanted to be able to do things that I wanted to do because I thought that would be fun for our children, and I really didn't want to continue to have to seek or ask permission for those things to happen.
The role of a principal in a school is a wide and varied and complex position. The programme supports new principals because it takes the isolation out of the job. You will have the opportunity to be successful and to thrive.
For our beginning principals, keep doing what you're doing. Kia kaha! Kia Manawanui! You're doing an amazing job and with the support of your mentors and your community around you, you will continue to do great things.”
Text on the screen reads “Find out more and register for the Beginning Principal Programme.”
About the programme
As a participant in the Beginning Principal Programme, you will be supported to build confidence and capability in your new role as principal. The programme is funded by the Ministry and Evaluation Associates in partnership with Te Uru Amokura | Springboard Trust are contracted to deliver it.
The programme will help you to:
strengthen your leadership practice
identify and achieve professional learning goals
connect with experienced principals and supportive professional networks
confidently navigate the opportunities and challenges of leading a school or kura.
What you can expect
You will receive support through a combination of:
Individual learning plan: Your facilitator will work with you to identify your prior learning and leadership experience and develop a plan to meet your needs, leaving nothing to chance.
Group learning opportunities: You will take part in a range of regional wānanga, communities of practice, leadership labs that connect you with other beginning principals, programme facilitators and external experts.
Self-directed learning: You will have access to leadership learning resources, including online learning modules, podcasts and leadership-focused content.
One-to-one mentoring: You will be matched with an experienced principal mentor who will provide guidance, challenge, advice, and support.
Support for U1 and U2 principals
Beginning principals in U1 and U2 schools may also be eligible for additional release support to help them participate fully in the programme and establish themselves in the role.
Support to participate in an approved beginning principal programme is available for longer term acting principals in U1 and U 2 schools. Contact your programme provider for details.
Find out more and register
If you are a beginning principal and want to take up this opportunity, register directly with the provider.
