New awards celebrate excellence and delivering real results for students

Teachers, principals and schools across New Zealand are being celebrated in the first inaugural Education Excellence Awards, Education Minister Erica Stanford hosted today.  

The inaugural New Zealand Education Excellence Awards — Ngā Tohu Kairangi Mātauranga o Aotearoa, were held at Parliament in Wellington to recognise the outstanding work of schools and kura across the country.  

“The Education Excellence Awards are about celebrating teachers, schools and kura that are driving change and achieving results,” Ms Stanford said. 

“Recognising that quality teaching and school leadership are the two of the most important factors impacting student learning. We need to celebrate the skills and dedication of those who bring that to life every day in the classroom.” 

The national awards programme, launched this year, highlights outstanding progress and performance across four areas critical to student success:  

Student engagement and attendance  
Raising student achievement
Quality teaching and instruction
Educational leadership. 

“Raising student achievement is fundamental. Every student needs a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy to successfully progress through their education.” 

“Attendance is equally critical; students need to be in the classroom to learn. Schools recognised today are using effective and innovative ways to get young people back into the classroom, engaged and excited about learning.” 

The awards also highlight the pivotal role teachers and leaders have in driving education success.

“High-quality teaching has the biggest impact on student outcomes, and strong leadership ensures that great practice is consistent across a school. 

“The award commendations, finalists and winners show what is possible when schools focus on evidence-based teaching, set high expectations, and provide the right environment for their community of learners,” Ms Stanford said.   

Ms Stanford says the awards are about more than prize money — they are about recognising the lasting impact of our teaching profession and lifting performance across the system.

“The leadership, professionalism, and commitment of our teachers and school leaders showcased today is making a real and lasting difference for communities. 

“While congratulating the schools recognised was a focus of today’s award ceremony, the real opportunity here is to learn from these examples,” Ms Stanford concludes.  

Finalists and winners were selected following a comprehensive selection process, including nominations from students, families, staff, and communities, and application assessment by panels of education experts.   

Editor notes: 

New Zealand Education Excellence Awards prize money, commendations, finalists and award winners

Each winning school will receive $20,000, other finalists will receive $5,000 and schools that were recognised with a commendation will receive $1,000. 

All winners, finalists and commendations will receive framed certificate, and winners also received a trophy.

School applications were assessed in the following education settings*

Primary school with 150 students or fewer (known as U1, U2 and U3 schools)
Primary school with over 150 students (known as U4 schools)
Secondary (any size)
Area schools could apply in either a primary or secondary setting category.

* Not all education settings had an award winner.

Finalists and Award Winners

Excellence in Raising Student Achievement finalists and award winners

Manurewa Intermediate, Tāmaki Herenga Waka | Auckland South/Southwest (Award winner – primary school over 150 students)
Long Bay College, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Rutherford College, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Tāmaki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central/East (Award winner – secondary school)

Excellence in Student Engagement and Attendance finalists and award winners

Kaihere School, Waikato (Award winner – primary school 150 students or fewer)
Kaiti School, Tairāwhiti | Hawke's Bay(Award winner – primary school over 150 students)
Rāroa Normal Intermediate, Wellington
Iqra School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Nelson College For Girls, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast
Maniototo Area School, Otago, Southland(Award winner - secondary school)

Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction finalists and award winners

Sommerville School, Tāmaki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central/East (Award winner – primary school over 150 students)
Long Bay College, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Albany Junior High School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Avondale College, Tāmaki Herenga Manawa | Auckland Central/East (Award winner – secondary school)

Excellence in Educational Leadership finalists and award winners

Manurewa Intermediate, Tāmaki Herenga Waka | Auckland South/Southwest
Goodwood School, Waikato (Award winner – primary school over 150 students)
Gulf Harbour School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West
Nelson College For Girls, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast
Rolleston College, Canterbury, Chatham Islands
Westlake Girls' High School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata | Auckland North/West (Award winner – secondary school)

Commendation recipients

School, region and commendation focus

Bayswater School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata - Auckland North/West - Embedding culturally responsive practice
Christchurch North College, Canterbury, Chatham Islands – Commitment to student wellbeing
Mairangi Bay School, Tāmaki Herenga Tāngata - Auckland North/West – Strong community focus
Ōpunake High School, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū – Engagement with students and whānau
Rotokawa School, Bay of Plenty, Waiariki – Innovative integration of AI ...