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 2026 Kaupapa
“Supporting Resilient Educational Leadership”
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.
He Manawa tītī – “A person with the heart of a tītī,” Someone with great endurance, perseverance, and resilience, often used to honour leaders or staff who have demonstrated long-term commitment despite challenges.
Designing Environments That Grow Resilience and Wellbeing
Rather than viewing resilience and wellbeing as qualities that need to be explicitly taught, Craig invites school leaders to explore a different question:
What kind of environments naturally develop resilient, capable and thriving people?
Drawing on ideas from his new book, Coach by Design, Craig challenges the common tendency to focus on changing individuals. Instead, he demonstrates how the environments we intentionally create shape behaviour, relationships, culture and outcomes every day.
Through engaging stories, practical frameworks and collaborative activities, participants will examine how leadership behaviours and environmental design work together to influence resilience and wellbeing across their entire school community.
An Interactive Learning Experience:
This highly engaging session moves beyond the traditional keynote, with principals actively participating through:
Storytelling and shared reflection
Practical design activities
Small-group discussion
Self-assessment of their own school environments
Collaborative redesign of real leadership challenges
Leaders Will Leave With:
A practical framework for understanding resilience and wellbeing through environmental design.
New ways to evaluate the hidden messages their school culture communicates.
Practical leadership strategies that can be implemented immediately.
A shared language for creating environments where staff and students can adapt, grow and flourish.
This inspiring session will challenge thinking while providing practical tools that leaders can immediately apply within their own schools.
Waikato Principals’ Association Christmas Dinner
Friday 20th November 2026 5.30pm onwards
The Grandstand, Claudelands Hamilton
Christmas is approaching rapidly!!
The Grandstand is a delightful character function space within the picturesque surrounds of Claudelands Park.
This much-loved venue offers easy access and on-site parking, exclusive top-quality catering and views out across green space and is the perfect spot to celebrate in style. So come along and enjoy a beautiful evening and celebrate another year amongst the company of your colleagues at this iconic venue.
Time to register and come along and celebrate the end of another great year. Click here to register now.