Professional Leaders and Employers

As a professional leader in a New Zealand education setting, you play a key part in ensuring the quality of the teaching profession remains high and that the community has confidence in their children's teachers.

Who is a Professional Leader?

The Education Act defines a professional leader as:

  1. in the case of a school, the Principal:
  2. in the case of an early childhood service, the Professional Leader:
  3. in the case of any other educational institution, the Chief Executive or person occupying an equivalent position.

What is the role of a Professional Leader in registration of teachers?

The New Zealand Teachers Council has a legislative role to support the professional status of teachers and high quality teaching and learning through its mandated functions. To achieve this, we need your help as a professional leader in ECE services, schools and kura kaupapa by you ensuring that all teachers are:

  • registered or authorised before they begin their employment and that teaching positions within your institution are accurately identified 
  • engaged in professional development and you keep accurate records of this
  • having regular performance appraisals, incorporating the Registered Teacher Criteria, and records of these are accurately kept
  • part of the Mandatory Reporting process (when there are concerns about a teacher's conduct or competence) and you handle these appropriately and report to the New Zealand Teachers Council
  • knowlegeable about the New Zealand Teachers Council Registration Policies and their intent so that you endorse a teacher to gain or maintain full registration knowing their competencies and their ability to meet all of the Registered Teacher Criteria
  • Provisionally Registered Teachers and Subject to Confirmation Teachers are supported with an appropriate induction and mentoring programme as they move towards full registration.

Resources to help you in your role: