About Us

Te Rina Leonard, Chief Executive

Te Rina Leonard (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Raukawa) was appointed as the Chief Executive in 2023.

Te Rina first came to Te Kura in 2008 for two years as Deputy Chief Executive Design and Quality, and returned eight years later to become the Deputy Chief Executive Learning Delivery.

Te Rina has strengths in leadership and a great commitment and passion for improving opportunities for ākonga and Māori. She is determinied to maintain the momentum and progress built by her predecessor, Mike Hollings, who led the school for 17 years.

After qualifying as an Educational Psychologist, Leonard went on to successfully lead large operational, evaluation and policy teams in education. She has also worked in education policy and evaluation at the Education Review Office.

Having held a wide variety of education positions during her career,  she brings a breadth and depth of experience to her new role.

Puti Gardiner, Deputy Chief Executive - Learning Delivery

Puti Gardiner (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui Ngāti Pūkenga) is the proud Mum of six children. She and her husband, Patrick, have lived and taught in various regions including Tauranga, Rotorua, Opononi and Doubtless Bay in the far north.  Striving for equity in education has always been a priority and the driver for her involvement in teaching and learning.

Her experience as a teacher, a Principal, a PLD facilitator and a Leadership Advisor for beginning principals led to her joining the Ministry of Education, where her most recent role was as National Manager Curriculum Leadership.

As a second language learner of te reo Māori she is passionate about te reo me ōna tikanga and is an avid kapa haka fan and armchair judge.

Christine Te Kiri, Acting Deputy Chief Executive - Curriculum

Christine Te Kiri leads the Curriculum wāhanga, which provides expert guidance and support in the design, development, delivery, and quality assurance of curriculum, learning resources, and assessment practices across Te Kura.

The Curriculum wāhanga ensures that all learning programmes align with national requirements, including Te Whāriki, The New Zealand Curriculum, and the National Qualifications Framework. It also ensures that Te Kura Big Picture principles are embedded in learning design and that curriculum implementation reflects the priorities outlined in the National Education Goals and National Administration Guidelines.

With a strong focus on enhancing engagement, progress, achievement, and the overall wellbeing of ākonga, the Curriculum wāhanga plays a pivotal role in supporting successful learning outcomes for all.

Regan Dooley, Chief Advisor - Strategy

Regan provides strategic advice on a range of education and other issues, including policy development, risk management and legislative compliance. He is Te Kura’s Privacy Officer.

He also manages the school's communications functions and responds to information requests and complaints. Regan keeps Te Kura’s planning and reporting activities on track, ensuring that they contribute to enhanced school performance in teaching and learning, student engagement and ultimately student achievement. He also provides advice and support to the Board of Trustees.

Julian Guedon, Poumatua Mōhiohio | Chief Information Officer

Julian, originally from Bordeaux, France, has been calling Te-Whanganui-a-Tara his kainga since 2015, and leads the Information Resource Group (IRG).

The Information Resource Group supports and maintains the school's information, communication and cybersecurity strategy. It provides robust and fit-for purpose ICT services, hardware and software solutions, in-house development capabilities,  networking and cybersecurity management practice to all offices, all kaimahi and all ākonga.

The wāhanga works to provide innovative, cost-effective systems and functions to support Te Kura's strategic priorities. As we place our ākonga at the centre of everything we do, including technology, IRG plays a vital part in supporting our strategic whenu (strands), in particular Pūnaha auaha (Innovate), Poipoi (Nurture) and Kauawhi (Include).

Courtenay Parkes, Poumatua Tāngata | Chief People Officer – People and Capability

Courtenay is a father of three young tamariki and is deeply passionate about the ākonga journey and educational outcomes.

At Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura), the People and Capability function plays a central role in enabling the organisation to deliver key people initiatives and systems that develop and empower kaimahi (staff) to best support ākonga across Aotearoa. Formerly known as Human Resources, the function continues to evolve in response to changing needs, opportunities, and challenges — supporting a wide range of areas from recruitment, payroll, professional development, and recognition, through to wellbeing and organisational culture.

Under the leadership of Chief People Officer Courtenay Parkes, the People and Capability team works collaboratively across Te Kura to ensure practices are future-focused, inclusive, and aligned with the organisation’s values of tika, manaaki, and whanaungatanga.

Steve Bradshaw, Poumatua Tahua | Chief Financial Officer

Steve’s Fijian heritage shapes his values around connection, respect and collaboration - qualities that guide his leadership of the Finance Group and his relationships across Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura).

The Finance Group which brings together Finance, Procurement and Facilities Management are responsible for strong financial stewardship, comprehensive budget planning, value for money procurement and ensuring Te Kura has safe, accessible and well-managed learning and working environments.

The wāhanga are committed to making finance clear, enabling and strategically focused, ensuring Te Kura’s resources are used effectively and aligned to the needs of ākonga. The Finance group contributes to creating the conditions necessary for successful delivery of personalised, inclusive and high quality learning experiences for all ākonga.