Board constitution and membership
All school boards have a constitution setting out the number and type of board members they must have.
Boards are made of a mix of school-based and non-school-based members.
Schedule 22open_in_new and Sections 119 - 122open_in_new of the Education and Training Act 2020 relate to the structure of school boards, but we’re unpacking them in this article.
How many board members do you need?
Unless you have an alternative constitution, tikanga, or foundation document (such as Te Aho Matua), your school board’s membership will generally include the following.
Members from within the school
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The principal of the school.
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One staff-elected representative (unless the principal is the only staff member of the school).
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One student-elected representative (in schools with students above Year 9).
Members from the wider school community
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Between three and seven parent-elected representatives (a typical number is five).
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In state-integrated schools, up to four members are appointed by the proprietor .
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Up to four (one less than the number of elected parents) members co-opted by the board or body corporate.
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One of the wider school community members will be appointed as your presiding member (board chair).
Note: Unless it decides otherwise, a combined board must have five parent representatives if administering two schools or kura, and six if overseeing more than two.
It’s also good to have a board secretary and/or minute taker to provide administrative support for your board.
Can you change the membership of your board?
Yes, your board may alter its constitution to change the number of parent representative positions by following the process set out in Section 121open_in_new of the Education and Training Act 2020.
Your board may also:
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Co-opt additional members per the Education and Training Act 2020.
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Vary the number of proprietor appointees on boards of state-integrated schools.
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Establish a memorandum of understanding with your school’s body corporate to add appointees to the board.
Depending on how you change your board membership, you will need to meet specific requirements.
Refer to our guide to board structureopen_in_new, and if you have any doubts, please contact us.
Note: the Minister of Education can also appoint and remove Ministry appointees.
What are the different types of board members?
Regardless of their role, every board member has the same standing, voice, vote, and accountability as any other member.
Although existing whānau relationships may feature on some boards, these relationships do not change the equal responsibility of members from a legal perspective.
And that's because important board decisions are made with everyone as equals, regardless of age, mana, position/status (such as tuakana/teina), or relationship status between members.
Principal – is a full member of the board and the board's chief executive.
Staff representative – is elected by the staff (teaching and non-teaching).
Student representative – is elected by the students in schools with students enrolled full-time above year 9.
Parent representatives – are elected by enrolled members of the community.
Proprietor appointees – are appointed by the school's proprietor.
Other appointees – are appointed by other organisations, such as the local iwi authority, hapū, or the Minister of Education.
Presiding member – is appointed by the board to preside over meetings and ensure that the board's work gets done.
Board secretary – is an employee of the board (not a board member, but the role can be filled by a board member if necessary).
What happens if someone resigns from your board?
A "casual vacancy" occurs when an elected board member resigns or can no longer fill the position.
If this occurs, your board will go through the steps to manage a vacancy for a:
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Parent representative
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Staff representative
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Student representative
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Proprietor’s appointee
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Other appointee
If they are the presiding member (or if someone steps down from the role but remains as a board member), your board will need to go through the steps to appoint a new one.
How can you keep track of who is on your board?
We recommend keeping a board member register to record who is on your board, their position, and when their term in office starts and ends.
It’s a good habit to keep because it ensures your records are up to date, protects the legal status of your board, and helps plan for succession and upcoming elections.
A board member register also helps your board remember the contributions of past board members and the whakapapa of those contributors over past generations.
Your board may already have a register you can review, or you can download our sample board member registeropen_in_new.
Questions your board could ask
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Do we know what our board constitution is?
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Are we complying with it?
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Do we have a board member register in place?
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Have we contacted GovHub to check that our online records are correct?
Templates, resources, and references
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Links from us
Education and Training Act 2020