10-11 November 2026
Due Drop, Auckland

THE KURA CONFERENCE

National curriculum changes are here.
Is your school up to speed?

From policy to pedagogy. We build the bridge.

New Zealand’s education landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Between navigating massive curriculum updates, managing staff wellbeing, and grappling with the rapid rise of AI in our classrooms, school leaders and educators are being asked to redesign learning in real-time.

The Kura Conference is where we move past the theory and offer proven approaches and examples to help shape solutions that fit your context. This is a multi-streamed, high-impact summit designed to give you the strategic tools, technological literacy, and leadership resilience required to guide your kura into the future.

Three Streams. Two Days.
One Definitive Event for Aotearoa’s Educators.

We’re busy building a program for this event, check back soon for the agendas and speaker line-up for each of the streams below.

The Engine

Curriculum, Pedagogy & Change

We strip back the noise surrounding the national curriculum changes. From deep dives into Primary and Secondary shifts to the mechanics of change management, this stream provides the blueprint for implementing pedagogical shifts without losing your school’s unique identity.

The Frontier

The Innovation Stream

Innovation is a core requirement for the modern classroom. We explore the ethical frontier of AI, practical use cases to reduce teacher workload, and how to build an innovation-ready culture. By championing integrated learning for purpose-led, real-world connections, this stream gives you the tools to prepare our ākonga for a future workforce that hasn’t been built yet.

The Heart

Sustainable Leadership

This stream explores the people challenges and opportunities facing today’s school leaders – from managing complaints, navigating difficult community dynamics, and tackling complex HR issues, to leading meaningful change within your kura. Learn from the experiences of other leaders and gain the latest insights into sustainable leadership practices that enable both people and schools to flourish.

Kura Conference Advisory Panel

Our Advisory Panel brings together some of New Zealand’s most respected education leaders, with expertise spanning school leadership, curriculum design, technology education, learning support, and system-wide change.

Their collective experience has helped shape a programme that reflects the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing schools today

Julie Schumacher

Educational Research and Development Consultant
| Director

The Education Group

Vaughan Couillault

Programme Lead – Engagement (Curriculum and Assessment Change Program)

Papatoetoe High School

Sarah Washbrooke

Deputy Chair

TENZ

Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton

Principal

Kaiti School

Catherine Law

Principal

Avonside Girls’ High School

Why your school will value this investment:

The Kura Conference is designed for maximum institutional impact, tailored specifically for Primary & Secondary School Leaders, HODs, Lead Teachers, and Educational Innovators.

Because this is a multi-streamed event covering curriculum, tech, and wellbeing simultaneously, the most effective strategy is to send a leadership cohort to divide and conquer the program. By customising your team’s experience and swapping between streams, your school will walk away with a comprehensive return on investment:

Actionable Curriculum Blueprints:

Your curriculum leads and HODs will gain ready-to-implement frameworks for the refreshed national curriculum, moving seamlessly from policy to classroom practice.

Workload Reduction through Tech:

Your educational innovators will discover verified AI and tech use cases specifically vetted to give teachers time back and streamline administration.

Strategic Alignment & Value Protection:

Your senior leadership team will acquire the change-management tools needed to align incoming national priorities with your school’s unique local values.

Staff Resilience & Wellbeing:

Your leadership cohort will bring back practical, systemic strategies to combat teacher burnout, navigate complex student behaviours, and support neurodivergence.

National Networking:

Your staff will connect and collaborate with primary and secondary peers from across Aotearoa who are successfully navigating the exact same transitions.

Tickets Opening Soon — Register Your Interest

We are currently finalising our ticketing tiers, including exclusive early-bird rates and team package discounts. Register your interest below.

This event is ideal for:

Executives and leaders: Those responsible for driving strategic change and organisational transformation.
Change management professionals: Individuals who specialise in managing and leading change initiatives.
HR professionals: HR leaders and practitioners interested in fostering a culture of change and employee engagement.
Consultants and advisors: Professionals who support organisations in their change and transformation journeys.
Anyone seeking to develop their leadership skills and ability to navigate change.

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Due Drop Events Centre
770 Great South Road,
Wiri, Auckland

8:30	Mihi Whakatau
8:45	Welcome from the Chair
9:00	Leading in an Era of Transformation: Shaping the Future of Education Reflect on the role of leadership in shaping culture, building trust, and maintaining a strong sense of direction through uncertainty Gain perspectives on what future-ready leadership looks like and how to position your kura to thrive in a rapidly evolving educational landscape
9:45	Future ready: Empowering our next generation of digital natives Preparing learners for a rapidly changing future of work and AI-enabled world Using technology in ways that uplift and protect the aspirations of Ngā Iwi Māori Harnessing the power of curiosity and non-linear learning to unlock potential Creating digitally enabled futures that are culturally grounded and intergenerational
10:30	Morning Tea
	The Engine New Zealand Curiculum \| Te Mātaiaho, assessment and reporting	The Frontier Innovating for the future of learning	The Heart Leading for impact
11:00	The Primary Curriculum Practical walkthrough of curriculm expectations (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and Te Mātaiaho) Insights in to significant shifts after consultation Updates and insights into the next 3 years of curriculum roll out Considerations in ensuring cuturally responsive implementation of the curriculum Support resources available and professional learning opportunities	PANEL - What should school look like in 2035? Futures focused panel with educators, students & indsutry What is the future of work and how do we prepare students for it? Personalised learning, immesive technogies, credentialling & micro-credentialling etc	PANEL - Holding the centre: Leading through change and adapting with purpose How to sustain self and staff wellbeing and maintaining momentum through significant reform Reframing change to find opportunity to reconnect with your school community Preparing your students for change
11:45	Case studies - How schools are redesigning curriculum through local contexts SCHOOL 1 Outlining approach to local curriculum design How this kura designed their implementation plan, prioritised steps and lead change thorughout the community Deepening how te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, and local curriculum contexts are authentically embedded in everyday teaching Table discussions and Q&A	Reimagining learning for the AI era Establishing safe, ethical and effective AI use in NZ schools Building literacy across your community of teachers, students and whānau Leveraging AI to enhance indigenous education and safeguard data sovereignty	Transforming Schools Through Connection, Belonging and Wellbeing Lessons from leading an award-winning whole-school transformation grounded in relationships, belonging, and equity Why wellbeing, cultural connection, and emotional safety are the foundations for engagement, achievement, and lasting change Using relational neuroscience and te ao Māori to create school cultures where learners, staff, and whānau thrive
12:30	Lunch
1:30	Case Studies SCHOOL 2 Outlining approach to local curriculum design How this kura designed their implementation plan, prioritised steps and lead change thorughout the community Exploring approaches to teaching in multi-level classrooms Table discussions and Q&A	PANEL - Innovation station Hear directly from schools using technologies like 3D printing, coding, robotics and digital design to enrich teaching and learning Discover practical examples of how technology is building creativity, problem-solving and real-world learning across the curriculum Learn what worked, the challenges encountered, and practical advice for introducing innovative technologies in your own school	Leading with Confidence: Managing Complaints, Investigations and Community Challenges Vexatious complaints, OIA requests and Ombudsment complaints Ensuring strong frameworks to deal with increase in challenges Responsibilities of the principal and board to ensure fair & reasonable investigation What it looks like to be under investigation
2:15	PANEL - Assessment and Reporting in Practice: Practical Insights from Schools Navigating New Requirements How schools are approaching assessment and reporting Experience with the SMART tool so far and comparisons with other tools Practical examples of how different schools are navigating challenges related to new requirements including communicating with whanau, multi-levelling and ESL	Tech Showcase: Experience Innovation in Action Explore hands-on demonstrations of emerging technologies transforming teaching and learning Try practical tools including AI, robotics, coding, 3D printing and immersive technologies Connect with educators and technology experts to discover ideas you can take back to your school	Employment Matters in Schools: Navigating Disputes, Risk and Complex Cases Explore key principles of managing staff employment issues, disputes and performance concerns within a school context Examine case law examples that highlight different legal pathways, decision points and potential outcomes for employers Work through real-world complex scenarios to understand how similar situations can escalate and how to respond effectively and fairly
3:00	Afternoon tea
3:30	Workshop - Curriculum planning and assessment design aligned to the refreshed curriculum Collaborate with peers to explore practical approaches to curriculum planning and assessment design aligned with the refreshed curriculum Engage in focused discussion tables covering Mathematics, Literacy, Science & Technology, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and assessment practice Leave with ideas, resources and strategies that can be adapted to your school's context and learner needs	Reducing Workload with AI: Real-World Strategies That Save Time Practical use case of using AI to complete administrative tasks, giving teachers more time to spend with students AI as a tool to enhance teacher capability (not a replacement) Lesson planning, checking data, how to train AI to adapt to your style, prompts	From Overseas to Aotearoa: Supporting International Teachers to Thrive Helping international teachers navigate the culture, values, and expectations of New Zealand kura Effective induction and mentoring strategies that build confidence and belonging Lessons learned from successfully recruiting, retaining, and supporting international teaching staff
4:30	Leading with purpose: Driving curriculum and pedagogical change Implementing effective curriculum and pedagogical change while maintaining school values and strategic priorities Preparing and empowering teams to lead and sustain change across the whole school Incorporating authentic student voice and assessing learner needs to inform decision-making Providing adequate, equitable support for kaiako, ākonga, and their whānau while prioritising change for impact	Rethinking School: Innovation Beyond the Expected Hear a case study from a school that has challenged traditional approaches to better meet the needs of its learners and community Explore the thinking, leadership decisions and cultural shifts that enabled meaningful innovation Gain practical ideas and inspiration to adapt bold, learner-centred approaches within your own context	Leading for inclusion: Navigating behaviour in the classroom Building understanding of different behaviours and its impact on learning, wellbeing, and performance Creating inclusive environments with what you have in the classroom Practical strategies to support the different needs of your akonga
5:00	Networking Drinks

8:45	Welcome from the Chair
9:00	The Future Starts With Us: A Young Changemaker’s Perspective Hear firsthand how one young leader has turned ideas into action, creating positive change in their school, community, and beyond Gain insight into what matters most to young people today, from caring for people and strengthening communities to protecting the planet Be inspired by a powerful call to action on how educators and leaders can empower the next generation to find their voice and drive meaningful change
	The Engine New Zealand Curiculum \| Te Mātaiaho, assessment and reporting	The Frontier Innovating for the future of learning	The Heart Leading for impact
9:50	The Secondary Curriculum Practical walkthrough of curriculm expectations Insights in to significant shifts after consultation Considerations in ensuring cuturally responsive implementation of the curriculum Support resources available and professional learning opportunities	Connecting culture and innovation: Empowering Māori and Pasifika learners through STEAM Using coding and digital storytelling to bring Indigenous and Pacific narratives to life through STEAM learning Evidence of how culturally responsive STEAM experiences can increase engagement, confidence, and interest in STEAM subjects Practical lessons for educators on integrating Indigenous knowledge, creativity, and technology to inspire future STEAM pathways	PANEL - Stepping Up: Preparing for principalship Developing leadership capability and succession pathways within your school Practical steps aspiring principals can take now to prepare for the next stage Lessons on sustainable leadership, resilience, and avoiding burnout in the early years
10:30	Morning Tea
11:00	Case studies - How schools are redesigning curriculum through local contexts SCHOOL 1 Local curriculum design Implementation plans, prioritisation and leading change Time table design to reflect new curriculum requirements Looking after the current Y10s as the last cohort to go through NCEA Deepening how te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, and local curriculum contexts are authentically embedded in everyday teaching Table discussions and Q&A	Whanaungatanga in Action: Building Stronger Community Connections Learn how a student-led podcast became a powerful platform for sharing stories, amplifying voices, and deepening connections across the school community The importance of building meaningful partnerships with whānau and community groups to support student success Develop authentic and enduring relationships with local iwi that enrich learning and strengthen cultural understanding Explore practical ways to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and celebrate the diverse cultures represented within your kura	Health & Safety in Schools: Legal Responsibilities, Case Studies and Leadership Accountability Understand the legal duties of boards and principals in maintaining safe environments for staff, students and visitors Analyse real case studies where health and safety failures have occurred and examine what went wrong and why Clarify decision-making responsibilities when incidents occur, including investigation processes and reporting obligations
11:45	SCHOOL 2 Local curriculum design Implementation plans, prioritisation and leading change Time table design to refelct new curriculum requirements Deepening how te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, and local curriculum contexts are authentically embedded in everyday teaching	Case study 1 - STEAM in Action: A School's Journey to Real-World Learning Explore how one school has embedded STEAM across its curriculum to create authentic, engaging and future-focused learning experiences Learn about the structures, partnerships and teaching approaches that support interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning Gain practical insights into the challenges, successes and lessons learned, with ideas you can adapt to your own school context	AI in School Leadership: Practical Tools to Support Decision-Making and School Improvement Explore how AI can support leadership teams with workload, planning, communication and decision-making Hear practical examples from kura on how AI is being used in day-to-day school leadership Consider opportunities, risks and ethics while keeping students at the centre of decision-making
12:30	Lunch
1:30	Table discussions - Preparing for Y11 in 2028 Facilitated table discussions with schools facing similar opportunities and challenges Opportunity to share ideas with your peers and plans for Y11 in 2028 Early thinking around time table design, removal of exams and preparing the first cohort	Case study 2 - STEAM in Action: A School's Journey to Real-World Learning Explore how one school has embedded STEAM across its curriculum to create authentic, engaging and future-focused learning experiences Learn about the structures, partnerships and teaching approaches that support interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning Gain practical insights into the challenges, successes and lessons learned, with ideas you can adapt to your own school context	Sustainable Leadership: Staying Effective Without Burning Out Understand the psychology of stress and how it impacts decision-making, energy and leadership capacity Explore practical strategies to build resilience and sustain performance in demanding school environments Identify habits, systems and supports that enable long-term, healthy and effective leadership
2:30	Process and design: The new qualifications and assessment Understanding the current design process for the NZ Certificate of Education and the NZ Advanced Certificare of Education Insights from consultation and opportunities to be involved	Creating a Culture of Innovation: Leading Change That Lasts Build the leadership mindset and practices that encourage innovation and continuous improvement Create the conditions for collaboration, experimentation, and purposeful change Sustain momentum by building staff ownership and embedding innovation into school culture	Governance in Action: Navigating Board Stability and Leadership Challenges Explore an anonymised case study of a school experiencing significant governance and leadership tension impacting direction and stability Examine the legal, relational and procedural considerations involved when board and leadership roles come under pressure Discuss practical approaches to restoring stability, maintaining student focus, and ensuring fair, transparent decision-making
3:30	Conference end

Speakers

Sarah Able

Chief People and Culture Officer

The Co-operative Bank

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Michelle Burke

Data and AI specialist consultant

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Michelle Burke is an AI, data, and information leader passionate about helping organisations use data in ways that create meaningful, lasting impact. She has led teams to build modern cloud-based analytics platforms, strengthen governance, and turn ambitious information strategies into practical outcomes. At the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Michelle led the organisation’s first data and information strategy – a people-first transformation recognised internationally by the Central Banking Awards. She thrives at the intersection of strategy and delivery, bringing diverse teams together, navigating complexity, and enabling others to succeed. Michelle believes great data work is ultimately about people, culture, and empowering informed decision-making.

Nigel Wilson

Communications, Culture & Change Leader

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Nigel Wilson is a senior communications and engagement leader with more than 20 years’ experience helping large and complex organisations navigate transformation, uncertainty and high-pressure environments.

He is currently GM Corporate Communications at KiwiRail, where he has led communication and engagement through significant organisational change, major operational events, and periods of intense public and stakeholder scrutiny. His experience spans executive communication, internal culture and engagement, leadership alignment, crisis communication, and translating complex strategy into clear, human-centred narratives.

Prior to KiwiRail, Nigel held senior communications roles at organisations including Spark, BNZ and Fonterra, working across large-scale transformation programmes, culture and leadership initiatives, and enterprise-wide change.

Nigel is particularly interested in the role trust, clarity and leadership behaviour play during periods of transformation, and how organisations can communicate in ways that build credibility, reduce confusion and support meaningful change adoption.

Nigel is known for combining strategic insight, operational realism and engaging storytelling to help leaders think differently about trust, communication and change.

Melissa Crawford

Director

Tech with Heart

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Melissa Crawford is a leading Expert in the Future of work. With a rare skillset crossing both people and technology. Her earlier career has included senior roles across NZ’s largest organisations crossing a variety of industries including Tech, Airline, Banking, FMCG, Retail, Education and Energy. Melissa has two technology degrees and is currently completing a Master of Science in Psychology. Using this focus across Technology and People Melissa applies this to her Futurist and Strategic Foresight work. Melissa is a graduate from both The Institute for the Future and Houston University’s Foresight programmes as well as being a member of the Association of Professional Futurists. In 2025 Melissa was awarded the Emerging Directors Award from the Institute of Directors. Melissa is the Director of Tech with Heart where she helps companies with their future strategies, holds a place on a number of governance and advisory boards and is a sought-after global keynote speaker. Her passion is sharing her knowledge with learning curious people and working on strategic projects to help shape a better future.

Scott Wright

Founder

The HI Company

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Scott Wright is a speaker, TEDx presenter and founder of The HI Co, with 30 years of senior commercial and executive leadership experience across iconic businesses including Frucor Suntory, Lion, Goodman Fielder, DB and Cadbury. A former Marketing Director, Commercial Director and General Manager, Scott has spent nearly two decades on executive leadership teams, leading strategy, driving growth, building cultures and navigating disruption from the inside.

His recent TEDx talk, What Are Your Yellow Shoes?, explored how to best invest in your Human Identity and presence as a strategic asset, not just a soft skill. Scott’s message for finance and accounting leaders is that knowing your personal leadership brand is a critical skill to underpin your effectiveness.

Amy Cavanaugh

Head of Transformation

Public Trust

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Allan Sampson

Executive Leadership | Business Transformation and Strategy

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Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Aotearoa’s schools are facing massive curriculum changes, staff burnout, and the rise of AI. Decision-makers aren’t just looking for advice—they are looking for tools, tech, and partners to help them execute.

The Kura Conference 2026 brings together primary and secondary principals, board members, and educational innovators. Align your brand with our dedicated Curriculum, Innovation, or Leadership streams and pitch directly to the budget holders.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact us today to learn more or secure your spot at this leading event.

Tickets - choose your option

$ 900 + gst Price Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 17 July, 2026.

$1900

$ 1300 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 17 July, 2026.

$1999

$ 1100 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$1900

$ 1500 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$1500

$ 1300 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 20 October, 2026.

$1900

$ 1700 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 20 October, 2026.

$ 1500 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 10 November, 2026.

$ 1900 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 10 November, 2026.

Registration Conditions

Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
Pre-Sale Tickets are valid only for the specific event for which they were purchased and cannot be transferred to other events. To remain valid, Super Saver and Early Bird tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.

For full terms & conditions, please visit https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

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