Senior leadership team
Mike Hollings, Chief Executive
Mike has more than 30 years’ wide-ranging experience in the education sector, from teaching through to management, policy development and review.
He has been the Chief Executive of Te Kura since 2006. Prior to joining Te Kura, Mike was the National Manager Analysis and Policy at the Education Review Office with responsibility for evaluating the quality of education in New Zealand schools and was the acting Chief Executive between June 2005 and May 2006.
He was Chief Executive of Te Mangai Paho, the Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency from 1996 to 1999 and has held various senior management positions at Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Māori Development.
His other education sector roles have included working as Manager of Planning and Development at Wairarapa Community Polytechnic, Manager of Policy Te Wāhanga Māori at the Ministry of Education and teaching at Waikato University and the Hamilton College of Education, where he lead the development of bilingual education programmes focusing on the revitalisation of the Māori language through education.
He is of Māori descent from the Ngati Raukawa tribe and in his home community has led the establishment of Te Kohanga Reo (early childhood Māori language immersion education) and Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori language immersion education in primary and secondary schooling).
Michael Tompson, Deputy Chief Executive – Systems and Support
Michael leads the Systems and Support wāhanga, which provides the key service functions of Finance, the Information Resource Group, Human Resources and Student and Whānau Support. The wāhanga works to provide innovative, cost effective systems and functions to support Te Kura's strategic priorities. The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is part of everything we do.
Te Rina Leonard, Deputy Chief Executive – Learning Delivery
Te Rina leads the Learning Delivery wāhanga. This wāhanga is tasked with ensuring that Te Kura is in an optimal position to respond to the needs of students and whānau. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of current Te Kura programmes, researching digital opportunities and recommending strategies for future directions and improvements. Key programmes include the school-wide implementation of Big Picture learning and the review and implementation of initiatives that improve the engagement and achievement of Māori and Pacific ākonga and whānau.
Anne Coster, Deputy Chief Executive - Curriculum
Anne leads the Curriculum wāhanga. This wāhanga provides expertise and support in the design, development, delivery and quality assurance of curriculum, learning resources and assessment practices across the school. The Curriculum wāhanga is responsible for ensuring that all programmes of learning meet national requirements as outlined in Te Whāriki, The New Zealand Curriculum and the National Qualifications Framework, that Te Kura Big Picture principles are visible in learning design, and that curriculum is implemented in accordance with the priorities set out in the National Education Goals and National Administration Guidelines. The Curriculum wāhanga is focused on enhancing the engagement, progress, achievement, and general wellbeing of our ākonga.
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 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 and manages the development and implementation of Te Kura's Bilingual Strategy.