Principal crisis: One in five new school leaders quit within a year

The workload for principals is unsustainable, according to their federation.

Curriculum upheaval, teacher shortages and escalating burnout are fuelling what principals describe as a revolving door in school leadership.

A Newstalk ZB analysis has found 967 principals quit in the past three years - one in five within their first year.

Waikato has had the most principals leave since 2022, with 27 - followed by Canterbury with 22.

Retirements have also jumped 26%, from 88 to 111.

Many principals also left the role for a job at another school, or were on a fixed-term contract.

NZ Principals’ Federation President Leanne Otene said multiple pressures are forcing leaders out so quickly.

“The principal shortage doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s actually compounded by the broader teacher shortage crisis," she said.

“So, when principals themselves are covering classes because they can’t find teachers... the entire system suffers.”

Otene added the workload is unsustainable, with many principals clocking 58-hour weeks.

“And the stats tell us they suffer 1.7 times the rate of burnout compared to the general population.

“When you’re working those hours, while implementing rapid curriculum changes with insufficient consultation, something has to give.”

NZPF President Leanne Otene. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The Government’s announced several incoming changes for schools, including scrapping NCEA, a new curriculum, increased learning support funding, and the removal of the clause requiring boards to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi.

A recent NZEI survey also found 73% of principals are likely to quit within five years.

The Ministry of Education’s acting education workforce leader, Jolanda Meijer, said they recognise the pressure on new principals and have support in place.

“The ministry provides programme support for beginning principals in their first two years of principalship,” she said.

It will double the number of leadership advisers from 16 to 32 next year to help principals navigate policy changes and receive coaching.

Extra supports are also available for rural and hard-to-staff schools.

Otene said the federation is working closely with the ministry on an aspiring principals programme and encouraging experienced principals to mentor.

“We take that seriously. We want quality people in those positions.”

But she warned the pace of change is wearing senior principals down.

“They’re not as keen to go and support a young teacher, they just don’t have enough hours in the day,” she said.

At least 350 principal roles have been advertised each year since 2022, with 17% being re-advertised.

The deep south and Far North continue to struggle for applicants, with many schools relying on acting principals.

“Quite frankly, no one wants to know, no one is prepared to be honest about the fact that we have so many acting principals across the country because we’re unable to fill those positions, especially in our rural and remote schools.”

Despite everything, Otene said principals remain committed to the job - even if it’s increasingly demanding.

“It is a vocation, it is not a vacation.”

Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education, social issues and general news. She joined Newstalk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.