Teaching Council elections 2025
Elections for the Teaching Council are now open. Seven of the 13 Governing Council members are elected by the profession during elections held every three years. Election voting opens on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
PPTA Te Wehengarua encourages members to vote in these elections and we support members stepping up to these positions. Voting closes at midday Friday 28 February 2025.
We have one PPTA member putting herself forward to represent secondary principals:
Tumuaki - Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu
Profile statement:
Kia ora! Kia orana! Talofa!
Kahungunu te iwi, Takitimu te waka. Nō Heretaunga ahau.
Twenty five years in education with sixteen of those years as a professional leader, I know the hard work that goes into governance, management and operations for a high performing kura. It is not a 9 - 5 job and one size just fits one.
My life's journey is about providing an equitable education system for our tamariki, our future generation. This is a career pathway that should look after and celebrate educators. I put my hand up to be an effective voice of change within the governing council.
Nā reira, he mihi maioha ki a koutou.
Four PPTA Te Wehengarua members are putting themselves forward to be the secondary teachers’ representative.
Science and Chemistry teacher, Western Heights High School, Rotorua
Profile statement:
I am a dedicated educator driven to help secondary students reach their fullest potential in New Zealand’s education system. Since arriving in NZ over 20 years ago, I have become a fully qualified and experienced science teacher in Rotorua, committed to fostering lifelong learning.
If elected, I will prioritize policies that empower middle management to lead effectively, enhancing team communication and collaboration to improve student outcomes, particularly in applied sciences.
My goal is to link modern, relevant science education with everyday experiences, preparing students for today's job market. I am also passionate about advancing teacher training policies, supporting high-quality classroom management, and efficient resource planning across schools to ensure the best educational experience possible. Let’s work together to make meaningful, positive changes for our students and educators.
Simon Curnow
Curriculum Leader Languages at Marlborough Girls' College, Blenheim
Profile statement:
Kia ora koutou, no Kernowek oku tipuna.
I would like to use this position to advocate for a reduction in fees for Teacher Registration. There must be creative ways for doing this through the Ministry of Education and School Boards. If budgeted for, the real costs for the average school would not be prohibitive on a yearly basis.
A simplification of the Standards for the Teaching Profession and the Educational Leadership Capability Framework is needed. Too often these documents are used in a pedantic manner to create a rod for hard-working teachers' backs. Accountability needs to go both ways - bottom up as well as top down.
The Teacher's Council should work, in conjunction with NZQA, to attract teachers from different parts of the world to the profession. Recognition of overseas qualifications needs to be re-examined and expanded.
Helen Fouhy
Deputy Principal, Taradale High School, Napier
Profile statement:
Being a career teacher and proud of it, it is time to contribute to the wider profession. Teachers are at their best to support students in a safe and supportive environment which the Teaching Council has the potential to assist with. Ensuring our profession is well regarded and ensures high quality initial teacher training and support mechanisms to support a highly professional environment is important going forward.
Supporting initial teacher training and early professional years is a passion I feel needs attention in our current environment.
Willow Hollstein
Digital Technology Teacher at Hillmorton High School, Christchurch
Profile statement:
E te tī, e Te tā!
Tēnā koutou kātoa
Nō Airangi ōku tīpuna
I tipu ake au I Ōtautahi me te Whenua Moemoeā me Kanata
Ko Willow Hollstein tōku ingoa
He kaiako au ki te kura Tuarua o Horomaka
He tangata tiriti ahau
Nō te hunga āniwaniwa ahau
Mā whero mā pango ka oti ai te mahi
Nō reira tēnā koutou kātoa
Hi, I’m Willow Hollstein and I’d like to represent the Secondary Teachers on the Teaching Council. I am a current active member of the PPTA at a regional level and wish to make a bigger difference within the council. I want to ensure Māori ākonga don’t lose access to their culture in the classroom and do what I can to ensure teaching remains a highly valued and skilled workforce
Ngā mihi nui.
Voting closes at midday Friday 28 February 2025.
More information about the candidates and elections
https://teachingcouncil.nz/about-us/governing-council-elections/