Te Rā o Tumeke Tumuaki 2025

This year’s whakataukī is a reminder that when principals band together, everybody benefits:

Tumuaki Tū, Tumuaki Ora (Tumuaki who stand up to be counted benefit all)

True to the theme, this year the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association Te Wehengarua are joining in by celebrating principal members, and highlighting and recognising the unique contribution and strengths they bring to our collective mahi.

Here are some ideas to help inspire your celebrations:

• Kai – come together over morning or afternoon tea
• Care – show how much your principal | tumuaki means to tamariki, rangatahi, staff, board and community  
• Quiz – have fun and learn a little more about their essential role
• Invite the school board to participate  
• Take a photo and pop a message into your school newsletter, or share your stories of celebration on social media by using #tumeketumuaki, #celebratingprincipals and tagging @NZEITeRiuRoa    
• Send a photo and brief story to local media

• Letter to board
• Certificate
• Poster
• Motion graphic
• Social media tile
• Quiz

• Te Rā o Tumeke Tumuaki is our chance to recognise principals as the cornerstone of our education system.
• The celebrations highlight the work that principals do for their schools, tamariki and communities, which often goes unsung.
• Tumuaki are the rock within our education system. The support and resourcing they receive to carry out this essential role is nowhere near enough to meet the many demands. Instead, they dig deep daily and draw from their own time, resources and personal connections to manage their roles.
• Te Rā o Tumeke Tumuaki shows our commitment to listening to principals and standing beside them to help make their profession sustainable.
• Supporting principals is essential as they resolve crucial issues that enable tamariki to thrive. 
   

This is an initiative created by the Principals’ Council of NZEI Te Riu Roa in 2022 to recognise and celebrate the amazing contribution principals make to education.