With elections for school boards taking place around the country including at our own Mercy colleges we thought it would be timely to put together some resources which could help in the induction of school boards, to not only the importance of governance but also emphasising our Mercy Charism, our Mercy vision for education and our Catholic Special Character.
In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, we acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi as our nation’s founding document and Whānau Mercy Ministries Trust is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as an active expression of our faith in Aotearoa and our expectation that this is evident in all our Ministries.
Catholic Character
The following resources should form the heart of any catholic school board induction (the NZCEO Folder currently has only a Meeting Starter document in it, but is going to have more added to it over time, so well worth bookmarking):
- Catholic Education of School-Age Children
- Being Church in Aotearoa New Zealand Catholic Schools
- Code of Conduct for Catholic State Integrated School Board Members
- Catholic Special Character Evaluation for Development
- Governance Video Resources
- NZCEO Folder of School Board Resources
- Effective Governance in your Catholic School
- Special Character Code of Ethics for Catholic Schools
- New Zealand Catholic Education Office Handbook for School Board Members
- Find your Integration Agreement
Mercy Charism
The Mercy charism of a Mercy college is essential to understanding its identity and purpose, as it connects each member of the school community to the broader mission of Mercy education, grounded in compassion, justice, service, and faith. Our mercy schools embody the legacy of the Ngā Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa | Sisters of Mercy New Zealand and the future of Mercy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Mercy Education Philosophy
- Whānau Mercy Ministries
- Video ‘In God Alone – The Story of Catherine McAuley‘
- Information on Catherine McAuley
- Aotearoa New Zealand Founding Sisters
- Mother M. Cecilia Maher (Auckland)
- Mother M. Bernard Dickson (Wellington)
- Mother M. Clare Molony (Hokitika to Christchurch)
- Mother M. Regis Murray (Reefton)
- Mother M. Kostka Kirby (Dunedin)
- Whānau Mercy Ministries Resource
- Whānau Mercy Ministries News
- Subscription to Karanga Atawhai
Good Governance
Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | New Zealand School Boards Association provides free governance resources and professional development for all school boards in Aotearoa New Zealand under a contract with the Ministry of Education. This ensures school boards are compliant with their legal responsibilities under the Education and Training Act 2020.
- Live Learning Events by area
- Learning Library (Webinars)
- Welcome on Board to new school board members
- The role of the Presiding Member
- The role of the Student Representative
- The role of the Principal on the Board
- The role of the Proprietor Appointee (Note the Proprietor Appointee on a Mercy College is also entitled to our Mercy Governance programme, so please ensure their details are updated with Whānau Mercy Ministries)
- Giving Effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Part 1
- Giving Effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Part 2
- Getting Ready – Planning your Board Induction
- NZSBA Resource Centre Help for Boards
There is also a current offer from the Institute of Directors for School Boards available here, giving boards access to the full breadth of IoD support, including governance insights, practical tools, education and networking opportunities to help build confidence and capability together. This offer is available until 31 December 2025.
The offer includes a 33% preferential rate on each board member’s annual subscription with no join fee. Student representatives receive complimentary associate membership, supporting the development of future governance leaders, and New Zealand School Boards Association members receive free access to our Health and Safety online course (valued at $205).