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February 01, 2023
Otene steps up to principal challenge
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On February 1, 2023
Download AudioThe new president of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation sees it as a chance to make a difference for Maori tauira.
Leanne Otene has taken a year’s leave from Manaia View School in Whangarei to lead the organisation, which represents 2500 schools and kura around the country.
She says after 30 years as a principal and seven on the executive it’s time to step up as the federation’s first wahine Maori president.
“I found myself in a position where I really wanted to make a difference and I wanted to make a difference for our tamariki Maori so this was an opportunity to advance education for tamariki Maori alongside education for all of course,” she says.
Ms Otene says principals are having a tough start to the school year because of he weather, but they are expected to lead in a crisis.
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