Media Release
Positive response to Trustee Elections
Organisers of the Trustee Elections campaign say most schools are positive about getting enough people to stand for
their boards at this stage.
Election Project Manager Janet Kelly says schools are working very hard to ensure they have a good number of people
willing to stand as trustees when nominations open next Friday (March 5).
“It’s very heartening that most schools feel that they will have good candidates, and we will be looking forward to
seeing those names on the nomination papers during the nomination period which runs till March 19.
Janet Kelly says the trustee elections are a big and very important undertaking for schools, as a strong focused board
will go a long way towards making a great school.
She says that while the great majority of schools are feeling optimistic, a few schools are struggling and will need
extra help over the next few weeks. Schools that are unable to form a board may have a commissioner appointed to run it.
“Boards of trustees are the community’s voice in our schools and it is important that we make the most of it.
“Trustees ensure that their school reflect their community and their students. They are responsible for the governance
and the vision of a school. They work with principals and staff to achieving that vision,” Janet Kelly says.
Most trustees are overwhelmingly positive about their role and would recommend it to others.
“The next few weeks are very important for our schools and we are asking people to seriously think about putting their
names name forward on March 5. As the campaign message says – “stand and be counted – e tu tangata.”
About 20,000 candidates are needed to stand for 13,000 seats on boards of trustees in about 2,580 schools throughout the
country. The trustee elections are New Zealand’s biggest democratic event.
The elections are held every three years and this is the sixth since the introduction of community-managed schools in
1989.
Nominations for trustees open on March 5 and close on March 19. Schools can choose when to hold their elections but most
will use the common election date of April 2, 2004.
[ends]