Kāhui Ako and other collaborative models have generated valuable momentum across schools and centres in Aotearoa, but many are now facing uncertainty due to shifts in Ministry of Education (MOE) funding. This transition period is complex, where Kāhui Ako must re-evaluate their purpose, structure, roles, resources and consider their commitment to continuing to collaborate without the scaffolding of central MOE funding.

This half-day hui on November 4th from 1.00-3.30 is an opportunity for Kāhui Ako leaders from across wider Canterbury to gather to synthesise insights from peers in other Kāhui Ako around how they plan to continue collaboration in their schools and centres. We will also explore whether an ongoing regional leadership network should be re-established in 2026.

As part of this hui we will explore the efforts of Kāhui Ako leaders in individual Kāhui Ako as they reflect, reimagine, and reset how they work together, ensuring every principal and school can participate meaningfully in the process.  We will then explore the level of need, momentum and energy to establish a sustainable region-wide collaborative network, with representatives from each school in a Kāhui Ako (ideally a principal or senior leader). This network could meet regularly (hybrid or after-school formats), with additional one-on-one support offered to individual collaborative networks. A shared online portal may also support knowledge sharing and collaboration across the region. 

Audience: Kāhui Ako leaders (Lead Principals, ASL, WSL roles etc) 

Background

Between 2018 and 2019 Leadership Lab worked alongside the Ministry of Education to support the formation of a Kāhui Ako Leadership Network where lead principals and ASL’s from across more than 20 Kāhui Ako in wider Canterbury met once per term to collaborate, learn and share practice. 

In 2020, the Kāhui Ako Leadership Network was handed over to Grow Waitaha to facilitate, and the network continued to meet termly and grow to over 100 participants in each hui.  

Leadership Lab sees the potential for this Canterbury-wide Leadership Network to become a sustainable network in 2026 and beyond. The need and energy for this needs to be scoped and creative resourcing explored.