Aotearoa New Zealand Principal Eligibility Criteria - ANZPEC

The Aotearoa New Zealand Principal Eligibility Criteria (ANZPEC) is on hold while the government considers changes to the education sector. ANZPEC was originally to be enacted by 1 March 2024, but this has not happened.

This has an impact on boards because there is no requirement to use the ANZPEC framework when recruiting and appointing a new principal.

The Ministry website no longer references ANZPEC, so we have no links to the previous framework and guidance.

What is ANZPEC?

ANZPEC was a recommended principal recruitment “minimum entry” requirement for someone to be appointed a principal in any NZ state school.  

Board-developed appointment criteria

Boards experienced in principal recruitment will be familiar with the particular appointment criteria that can be used for their school or kura when starting the recruitment process to appoint a new principal.

Appointment criteria must be developed at the beginning and used consistently throughout a recruitment and appointment decision-making process (in the advertisement, role description, shortlist, interview, reference checking, and final decision).

Board-developed appointment criteria can reflect a board's vision (where the board wants the school to be in the future and what sort of leader will take the school there) and the current needs of their school, as well as any special character elements. For example:

• The strategic plan
• ERO (Education Review Office) review recommendations
• Community, iwi, staff, and student consultation
• Any special school requirements or character.

When developing criteria, a board must consult its school community.

Appointment criteria must meet other legislative requirements and cannot be directly or indirectly discriminatory. For example, it cannot be based on gender, race, ethnicity, etc.