Rural Teaching Principals Conference 2025

This popular conference is tailor-made by principals for rural and teaching principals with a mix of inspirational keynotes, practical workshops, networking and hauora opportunities. It’s a great way to use any remaining Professional Coaching and Wellbeing Funding. This year’s theme: He awa whiria refers to the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains and is a metaphor for integrating knowledge streams.

Don’t miss out! Register here.

Please take some time to read the details in this section as it contains all the information you need for the upcoming RTPC conference in Ōtautahi | Christchurch.

Event programme here

Transport: If you are staying in the CBD, we have organised for buses to bring you to and from the conference venue, Chateau on the Park. Collection and drop off point will be the Novotel, Cathedral Square (52 Cathedral Square, CBD). Please note, the bus will not be making any other stops during the journey.

If you plan on walking through Hagley Park, allow 35 - 40 minutes. The bus schedule for Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 & Friday 30 May is as follows:

Schedule Table

Rental: Thanks to HealthCarePlus, all NZEI Te Riu Roa and PPTA members can save up to 65%! To take advantage of the Budget ‘Better off Together’ discount, please book your rental via this link https://healthcareplus.org.nz/budget-car-rental-nz

Tuesday 27 May: PRE – CONFERENCE:

Early Registration: Will be available Tuesday 27 May between 4:00pm – 6:30pm at the Conference venue.

Mix & Mingle: Once you have registered, join the Organising Committee for a drink and nibbles.

Koha: Please bring cash and pop it in the koha box at the registration desk no later than Wednesday, 8:15am. All koha collected will be gifted to tangata whenua during the mihi whakatau.

RTPC Programme: is attached to this email. This year’s conference will be held at Chateau on the Park for the full duration of Conference except for dinner on Thursday night.

Conference Keynotes: For a full list of our Keynote Presenters, please refer to this document RTPC25 Keynotes 

Sponsorship Drinks: Will be in the marquee located in the courtyard (outside the Sponsors room) on Wednesday afternoon. You’ll receive your drink token on your way to the marquee. The bar accepts cash & eftpos.

Conference Dinner: Will be held Thursday 29 May at The Tannery. If you selected ‘Yes’ to attend Conference dinner during your online registration and NO LONGER wish to attend, please let us know by replying to this email and we will remove you from the confirmed dinner list. If you selected ‘TBC’, please confirm your attendance asap, as we have not added you to the confirmed dinner list. For easy identification, please bring your lanyard with you to enter. You do not need to wear it during dinner, we just need to sight it before you head in.  We will enjoy a complementary drink, before moving through to the Atrium for dinner. There will be a cash bar during dinner.

Workshops: You can now register for workshops online using the link below. Please review RTPC25 Workshops, then select your workshops via the link. The AI workshops will require your laptop and mobile phone. Some workshops will run twice. All workshops will take place on Thursday 29 May. If you have changed your mind on a workshop you registered for, please DO NOT re-register again. 

Email events@nzei.org.nz with the workshop you wish to cancel and the workshop you would like to attend and If it is still available, we will add you to that workshop on your behalf. Register for your workshop here: https://rtpc-2025-workshops.lilregie.com/ 

Flights and Accommodation: You are responsible for arranging your travel to and from Christchurch and accommodation. Accommodation details, discount codes and booking instructions

Cancellation: If you need to cancel your RTPC 2025 registration, please send your cancellation request to events@nzei.org.nz If payment has been made and you are owed a refund, you will need to include proof of payment (a screenshot of the payment will be sufficient) and the nominated bank account details. Please note: cancellations will be completed immediately, and refunds will be actioned post RTPC conference (in June).

Please refer to the following table for refund:

Dr Lucy Hone
Keynote: Resilience: what is it and how can we get more of it for ourselves and others.

Describing her role as a ˜pracademic, Lucy explains, "Too many resilience researchers don't know how to communicate their studies, and too many presenters don't really understand the science's nuances and theories underpinning it. I love being a pracademic who truly gets the evidence but also relishes the challenge of presenting it to people to improve their everyday lives".

A bestselling author, Lucy's books include Resilient Grieving, which details how she coped with her own unimaginable personal loss. Her latest book, The Educators Guide to Whole-School Wellbeing, which addresses challenges faced by schools wanting to improve wellbeing in their school communities.

She is also regularly featured in the global media including The Guardian, The Washington Post and the BBC.

Dr Lucy Hone's goal is to help anyone struggling through change, uncertainty, or loss re-learn how to live in the world around them. In this day and age, everyone needs skills to be resilient. Lucy has helped millions of people realize that an energized, meaningful, joy-filled life is attainable no matter the challenge that lies in front of you.

Wiremu Gray & Dr Sue Bagshaw
Keynote: Te Whare Mauri Ora

Sue and Wiremu will demonstrate the power of collaboration, weaving together Te Ao Māori wisdom and Western knowledge streams. Through their shared perspectives, they will explore how kotahitanga—unity and collective strength—can enrich our schools, strengthen relationships, and enhance overall well-being.

This heartfelt discussion aims to provide principals and schools with a deeper understanding of a holistic approach to well-being, while exploring the lasting impacts of colonisation—particularly its effects on Māori identity and wellbeing.

Through this conversation, Wiremu will highlight why Te Whare Mauri Ora is a vital framework for fostering bicultural relationships and promoting the well-being of our tamariki, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more connected nation.

• Pre-Presentation Reading:
  
  Te Ao Māori Grounding For Wellbeing Mahi
  Leadership Lab

Nic Low

Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) is a writer, arts festival director and former contributing editor at New Zealand Geographic. He is the author of three acclaimed books, including Uprising: Walking the Southern Alps of New Zealand. His latest, with Phil Dadson, is Little Doomsdays, exploring how previous civilisations sought to preserve what they love when faced with their demise.

Jennifer Smith
Keynote: He Awa Whiria: Braiding Knowledge Systems for Educational Success

He Awa Whiria: Braiding Knowledge Systems for Educational Success explores the power of integrating Māori and Non-Māori knowledge in education. This keynote examines how the He Awa Whiria (Braided Rivers) approach enhances leadership, curriculum design, and community engagement. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, it offers a starting point for creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments that honour both mātauranga Māori and Western educational practices, strengthening connections between knowledge systems for the success of all ākonga.

• Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, 52 Cathedal Square & IBIS, 107 Hereford Street: 15% discount off website rate. Valid between 27 - 6 June 2025 (offer is valid up to 14 days prior to arrival and rates are subject to availability).
  Book here.
  
  
• Fable, 166 Gloucester Street15% discount off their website rate.
  Valid between 27 May - 6 June 2025
  Booking code: RTPC25
  
• Chateau on the Park, 189 Deans Avenue, Riccarton
  10% discount off room rate. Book online, phone or email: Please quote GNZEI if booking via Phone (03 343 9750) or E-mail or email CHCNZ_RES@hilton.com. 
  

Gold Sponsors:

• SchoolDocs is the online policy and procedure service trusted by more than 75% of all NZ schools. 
• Te Rito Maioha are leaders in primary and early childhood education – growing kaiako, leaders, knowledge and bicultural teaching practice so tamariki learn and thrive. Te Rito Maioha is rated as a Category 1 provider by NZQA and scored ‘Highly Confident’ in Educational Performance and Capability in Self-Assessment. This means you can have absolute confidence in all our programmes. Te Rito Maioha offers two primary qualifications which lead to teacher registration: Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary). 
• Schooled are here for your next level financial services and educational support.
  
  

Silver Sponsors:

• EATucation is an innovative well-being focused Social Enterprise dedicated to delivering evidence-based and ready-made food education resources from ECE to NCEA.
• HealthCarePlus. Your union owned Membership Benefits Programme established by NZEI Te Riu Roa to support their member's financial, physical, and mental, health & wellbeing.
• Educated Furniture is designed and built to stand the test of time and can be customised to cater to all age groups, including early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutes. 
• At Playground Creations, our unique and locally made playgrounds provide a training ground for children to play and learn in a natural environment. They’re a place where children can challenge themselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
  
• Carus provides painting and aftercare services specifically for schools across the motu — no matter your location!
  After working with schools from Northland to Stewart Island, we understand the unique needs and challenges of rural schools. Our team focuses on quality, safety, and minimising disruptions for students, staff, and visitors, making school maintenance as smooth as possible.
  Come meet us, have a chat, and try your luck on our prize wheel!
  
• Teamturf has a comprehensive range of artificial turf surfaces designed for primary, intermediate and secondary schools. For more information and examples of our work, go to their website. Or email them at: info@teamturf.co.nz
• Storybox Library is a subscription based educational website, created for children to view stories. Story Tools is a new story writing series that helps students in grades 3-6 master the mechanics of storytelling. We are committed to showcasing the power of stories to children as tools to help us Connect. Engage. Inspire. Educate.
• For over 65 years, Modern Teaching Aids has been your one-stop shop for exceptional teaching resources in New Zealand. We offer a wide selection of over 27,000 world-leading products, from robotics and digital tools to arts & crafts, math materials, and essential classroom supplies. Our passion for education fuels our commitment to understanding educators' needs. We visit classrooms daily to curate the perfect resources for diverse learning styles and empower every child and educator to shine. Let us help you make a difference – explore our extensive collection and learn more today!
• The Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua is a Crown agency that leads the government’s relationship with the tertiary education sector, invests government funding in tertiary education organisations and provides career services from education to employment.
• Edge Learning Solutions offers a comprehensive school management system designed to simplify and enhance every aspect of school operations. From reducing administrative tasks to improving communication, Edge helps create a smoother, more connected learning experience for staff, students, and their whānau.
  Our all-in-one platform supports schools at every stage from streamlining enrolments, managing student records, tracking academic performance, and handling the day-to-day essentials with ease.
  Let Edge be your trusted school management partner—empowering you to focus on what truly matters: the success and well-being of your students.

Custom Sponsors:

• Learning Network NZ is a not-for-profit trust committed to supporting New Zealand educators with professional learning that inspires.

Paddy McNaughton’s
Velocity Karts
CodeBreakers
Escape Artists
The Poplar Social Club
Riverside Market
Little High Eatery
New Regent Quarter
Duel Darts
Christchurch Gondola
Canterbury Museum
International Antarctic Centre
Orana Wildlife Park
Christchurch Tram
Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Quake City
Amiki Tours
He Puna Taimoana