Waikato Principal's Association 2025 Kaupapa - Leading Observable Learning Cultures
Welcome to the Waikato Principals' Association
Welcome to 2025.
The Waikato Principals’ Association (WPA) is the collective voice for primary and intermediate school principals in the greater Waikato region.
WPA is a strong lobby and support group that has influence at both the local and national level
The WPA is a strong and viable professional organisation that has a history of successful service, initiatives and representation of principals’ interests in addressing the needs of primary and intermediate school education in New Zealand.
Waikato Principals' Association 2025 Kaupapa
Leading Observable Learning Cultures.
Schools act as collective, visible, and ongoing educational environments where actions support a shared vision of a commitment to growth through practices that inspire, support, and sustain a school culture centered on learning.
Mà pango mà whero ka oti te mahi. With your thread and my thread the work gets done.
Waikato Principals' Association 2025 Events
WPA Wellington Study Tour Wednesday 14 May – Friday 16th May 2025
Making Connections Day Term 2 (Week 7 ) Thursday 12th June 2025
Featuring Rico Gomez – NeuroFit
Making Connections Day Term 3 (Week 5) Thursday – 14th August 2025
Featuring Di Foster – Seasoned Coach and Business Leader Speaker
Making Connections Day Term 4 (Week 3) Thursday – 23rd October 2025
Featuring Andrew Miller – Roar Coaching NZ
WPA Wellington Study Tour Wednesday 14th May - Friday 16th May 2025
The WPA Executive committee are excited to announce this year’s Study Tour, to be held in Wellington in Term 2. A brief outline of the tour details are below, registrations are now open!
Wednesday 14th May. Arrive Wellington Wednesday morning. Visit to Teachers Council then NZEi in the afternoon.
Thursday 15th May. Visit to NZPF then arrive at Parliament at 11.30am. (meet MP’s and Minister of Education)
Friday 15th May. Visit to NZST / e tipu e rea and NZ Sport, lunch and home in afternoon.
All accommodation is at James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Cost:
$750 per single room
$550 shared rooms
This cost includes accommodation, breakfast each morning and dinner at Macs Brew Bar Thursday night.
Recommended flights (at your own cost):
Wednesday 14th May
1: Depart HAM 8.20am – Arrive WGTN 9.35am
2: Depart HAM 6.45am – Arrive WGTN 8.00am
Friday 16th May
Arrive airport 2.30pm recommended flights
Depart WGTN 3.50pm – Arrive HAM 5.05pm
Depart WGTN 5.05pm – Arrive HAM 6.20pm
Making Connections Day Term 2 Thursday 12th June 2025 Rico Gomez - NeuroFit
Rico Gomez Bio:
Rico is the founder and managing director of NeuroFit. With a background in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and counseling, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals overcome mental and emotional barriers. From working with those struggling with severe mental anxiety, depression, eating disorders, insomnia and more to coaching some of the country’s top performers—including elite athletes, coaches, and CEOs of global corporations—Rico has guided people from all walks of life toward lasting transformation.
Rico equips individuals with practical tools to break free from mental chaos and unlock their full potential. His commitment to this work is deeply personal, shaped by his own journey of overcoming chronic anxiety and depression. Rico’s mission is simple yet profound: Remove the mental barriers that prevent people from living their life to the fullest.
Making Connections Day Term Three Thursday 14th August 2025 Di Foster - Seasoned Coach and Business Leader
Who is Di Foster?
I have an accounting and commerce degree and started working for Tamahine Knitwear in Dunedin as soon as I graduated. That led to a career in management in a variety of companies in the knitwear and production industry. With major shifts in the industry and involvement in business closures, mergers, and start-ups, my coaching career began as a natural transition from working as a business consultant for 15 years.
I’ve had breast cancer twice. Last time they told me I was terminal and I had a year to live. That was 14 years ago. I’m alive and, without being too trite, I want to help people live their best life – both in business and in every other aspect of life. Let’s not delude ourselves, it’s all connected. Business is my true passion and I’m much, much more than a cancer story. It just so happens cancer gave me a ripping yarn and some good life lessons.
Coaching, for me, is about giving people a perspective shift and making them understand life’s too short to sweat the small stuff. We should be doing cool things with the time we have.
Making Connections Day Term Four Thursday 23rd October 2025 Andrew Miller - Roar Coaching NZ
ANDREW MILLER
Senior Coach
Real. Relatable. Impactful.
As the lead coach here at Roar Coaching, Andrew operates with genuine care and a clever curiosity for understanding what makes you tick.
He has a natural ability to work with individuals and teams to unlock potential, encourage deeper connections and overcome challenging situations. Andrew gets a kick out of knowing he is making a difference.
Andrew navigates life with his wife Hana and their children Brigitta, Quinn, Darcy and Zinzan, together they are proud to call Hamilton home.
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