Governance and Management Policy
The poari matua of Paparoa Street School is responsible for the governance of our kura and the tumuaki manages the day-to-day administration of the kura. Our kura poari matua and our tumuaki work together to govern and manage the kura.
Kura governance
As required by the Education and Training Act 2020 (s 127), the paramount objective of the poari matua in governing the kura is to ensure that every ākonga at the kura is able to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement.
To meet the paramount objective, the poari matua meets the following supporting objectives by:
- giving effect to its obligations in relation to:
- taking all reasonable steps to ensure that ākonga attend kura when it is open
- any foundation curriculum statements, national curriculum statements, and national performance measures
- teaching and learning programmes
- monitoring and reporting on the progress of ākonga
- ensuring that the kura:
- uses
good quality assessment and aromatawai information to monitor and evaluate ākonga progress and achievement, including any assessment or aromatawai specified in a foundation curriculum policy statement Good quality, in relation to assessment or *aromatawai information, means that the information draws on a range of evidence to evaluate the progress and achievement of each ākonga and build a comprehensive picture of that student’s learning – Education (Kura Boards) Regulations 2020 (s 21).
*Aromatawai is an assessment approach that is based on te ao Māori values, beliefs, and aspirations. This holistic approach takes into account the importance of the environment, culture, community, and individual and collective skills and knowledge in learning and teaching.
- is a physically and emotionally safe place for all ākonga and kaimahi
- gives effect to relevant ākonga rights set out in the Education and Training Act 2020, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, and the Human Rights Act 1993
Ākonga rights within the Education and Training Act include:
- the right to a physically and emotionally safe place (s 127)
- the right to education (s 33)
- the right to an education that meets the specific aims set out in s 5.4.
The Bill of Rights Act includes a range of human rights that apply to ākonga and confirms most of the rights of section 127 of the Education and Training Act, and others, including:
- the right not to be subjected to cruel, degrading, or disproportionately severe treatment or punishment (s 9)
- freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief, and freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form (s 13, 14)
- the right to manifest that person's religion or belief in worship (s 15)
- freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association (s 16, 17)
- the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure, whether of the person, property, or correspondence or otherwise (s 21) – giving rise to s 105-114 of the Education and Training Act
- the right to the observance of the principles of natural justice (s 27)
- freedom from discrimination on the grounds of discrimination in the Human Rights Act 1993 (s 19).
The Human Rights Act protects people from discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, religious or ethical belief, colour, race, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, political opinion, employment status, family status, and sexual orientation (s 21.1).
These rights are particularly relevant if addressing a behavioural matter or if the kura is considering a stand-down, suspension, or exclusion.
- takes all reasonable steps to eliminate racism, stigma, bullying, and any other forms of discrimination within the kura
- is inclusive of, and caters for, ākonga with differing needs
- seeks to achieve equitable outcomes for ākonga Māori
- takes all reasonable steps to provide for ākonga to be taught, and to learn, in te reo Māori on request of their parents or immediate caregivers
- takes reasonable steps to ensure that the policies and practices for the kura reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity
- performing its functions and exercising its powers in a way that is financially responsible
- complying with all of its other obligations under the Education and Training Act and any other legislation.
The poari matua has complete discretion to perform its functions and exercise its powers as it thinks fit, subject to legislation. After consulting with kaimahi, ākonga (as it considers appropriate), and the kura community, the poari matua may make bylaws that it thinks necessary or desirable for the control and management of the kura (Education and Training Act, s 126, s 131).
A kura rule made by the school board is a bylaw. Under the Education and Training Act 2020 (s 126), boards are required to consult with kaimahi, ākonga (as appropriate), and the kura community when making or amending rules/bylaws, if the rule is:
- made by the poari matua, tumuaki, or other kaimahi with delegated authority from the poari matua and
- enforced with full compliance in the kura, with disciplinary and/or negative consequences for breaching this rule.
Kura rules that relate to the legal rights of ākonga also require consultation.
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Making and amending school rules (bylaws) 
The poari matua has legislative and regulatory responsibilities, particularly under the Education and Training Act 2020, Employment Relations Act 2000, and Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Poari matua members comply with code of conduct requirements, and work within a governance framework that complies with legislative and regulatory requirements and supports the vision and operation of the kura. See Poari Matua Responsibilities.
As required by the Education and Training Act 2020 (s 166), all state and state-integrated school board members must meet minimum standards of conduct. The code of conduct applies to each board member individually. The board can decide to add to the minimum standards of the code. Additional standards must be consistent with minimum code standards and legislative requirements. Amendments to the code must be by board resolution.
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Code of conduct for school boards
The kura operates in the context of legislative and regulatory requirements. These requirements include specific actions that need to be completed and reported on at regular intervals. The poari matua needs to be able to demonstrate compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements as part of the monitoring and evaluation process they undertake with the Education Review Office (ERO).
Education Review Office l Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga: How ERO Reviews
The poari matua may choose to delegate some of its functions and powers, either generally or specifically, but remains accountable for any delegated acts (Education (School Boards) Regulations, s 8). Any responsibilities delegated to others are recorded in writing (i.e. in a schedule of delegations).
The poari matua develops and follows strategic planning documents and is responsible for setting policies for controlling and managing the kura and giving general policy directions to the tumuaki (Education and Training Act, s 125, s 130). The poari matua monitors progress against the strategic plan and annual implementation plan and regularly reviews kura rules, policies, and procedures. See Kura Planning and Reporting, Managing Policies and Procedures, and Review Schedule and Poari Matua Assurances.
We cooperate with the Education Review Office (ERO) to strengthen our systems, plans, and practices through evaluation and continuous improvement. The kura Board Assurance with Regulatory and Legislative Requirements Report, published on the ERO website, shows that our poari matua has attested to meeting regulatory and legislative requirements and shows progress towards addressing any non-compliance.
Kura management
The tumuaki is an employee of the poari matua and must comply with the general policy directions of the poari matua. The tumuaki is also a full member of the poari matua and is the chief executive of the poari matua in relation to the control and management of the kura, with complete discretion to manage the day-to-day administration of the kura as they think fit (Education and Training Act, s 130).
The tumuaki has specific responsibilities under the Education and Training Act and as delegated by the poari matua. The tumuaki may further delegate some responsibilities to other kaimahi. See Tumuaki Responsibilities.
The tumuaki keeps the poari matua informed of all information relevant to its governance role as needed for the poari matua to carry out its responsibilities. See Review Schedule and Poari Matua Assurances.
Legislation
- Education and Training Act 2020
- New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
- Human Rights Act 1993
- Employment Relations Act 2000
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Resources
- Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Legislation
: Term 4 2025, Term 1 2025, Term 3 2024
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