20 Catholic School Principals Across New Zealand

Last updated: 12 August 2026

New Zealand's Catholic schools are led in many different settings, from new schools in fast-growing communities to long-established colleges with deep local histories. The principals in this list work across primary, secondary and co-educational settings, but they share a responsibility to make faith, learning, wellbeing and belonging real in daily school life.

This is a current, evidence-led selection of 20 Catholic school principals across New Zealand. It is not a ranking. It includes leaders whose schools publish a clear current role record and a useful public description of their context.

Why Catholic school leadership matters

A principal's work is bigger than a job title. It includes the quality of teaching and learning, the tone of the staff culture, the relationship with whānau, the way a school lives its special character and the choices that make young people feel known. Catholic school leaders also hold a living connection between faith, service, justice and the ordinary routines of school life.

The people below are presented alphabetically by surname for easy navigation. Alphabetical order does not mean one leader is more important than another.

1. Catherine Bamber-O'Malley

Catherine Bamber-O'Malley is the Principal of St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College in Auckland. Catherine Bamber-O'Malley brings international experience and a clear focus on curriculum, inclusion, wellbeing and Catholic special character to a new Auckland college leadership role. Appointed Principal from 2 February 2026 after experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, with strengths in curriculum, inclusion, wellbeing and special character.

The current role is recorded on the official source

2. Anthony Mills

Anthony Mills is the Principal of Suzanne Aubert Catholic School in Pāpāmoa, Tauranga. Anthony Mills is building the culture of a new Catholic school from the ground up, connecting learning with people, place and purpose. Foundation Principal of a new Pāpāmoa school built around a future-focused Catholic education and the vision to engage, inspire and empower through Christ.

The current role is recorded on the official source

3. Lisa Broadmore

Lisa Broadmore is the Principal of St Thomas More Catholic School in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. Lisa Broadmore's school story shows how place, whānau and personalised learning can sit at the centre of a Catholic primary school's leadership. Leads a school serving families at the Mount and along the Pāpāmoa coastline, with small classes and a strong sense of whānau.

The current role is recorded on the official source

4. David Armstrong

David Armstrong is the Principal of Sacred Heart School in Timaru. David Armstrong leads with a whole-child view of education, balancing faith, learning, physical wellbeing and social growth. Leads a Catholic integrated school that describes education as a balance of spiritual, academic, physical and social development.

The current role is recorded on the official source

5. Sarah McAlpine

Sarah McAlpine is the Principal of Monte Cecilia Catholic School in Auckland. Sarah McAlpine's school frames Catholic education as both community and formation, with a distinctive language of discipleship, identity, integrity, excellence and care for creation. Principal and CEO of a Catholic primary school whose stated learner identity includes discipleship, identity, integrity, excellence and kaitiakitanga.

The current role is recorded on the official source

6. Myra Coley

Myra Coley is the Principal of Chanel College in Masterton. Myra Coley leads a distinctive regional Catholic college where small-school relationships and a clear future-ready vision matter. Leads the only Catholic secondary school in the Wairarapa, with a vision to grow confident, connected and future-ready Catholic citizens.

The current role is recorded on the official source

7. Kate Nicholson

Kate Nicholson is the Principal of Trinity Catholic College in Dunedin. Kate Nicholson's current principal messages make holistic education practical, connecting academic life with service, relationships, culture, sport and faith. Uses a holistic education lens that includes social, cultural, sporting, academic, service, faith and leadership growth.

The current role is recorded on the official source

8. Kathryn Hira

Kathryn Hira is the Principal of St Mary's Catholic School Avondale in Auckland. Kathryn Hira leads through a strong special character and family culture, with learning described as intellectual, spiritual, social and human development. Leads a school whose recent review describes strong outcomes, inclusive family culture and a holistic approach to intellectual, spiritual, social and human development.

The current role is recorded on the official source

9. Paul Coakley

Paul Coakley is the Principal of St Mary's School Northcote in Auckland. Paul Coakley brings long primary-school experience and Catholic principal network leadership to St Mary's Northcote. Has led St Mary's since 2021 after a long career that included twelve years as Principal of St Pius X Catholic School and leadership in Auckland Catholic primary networks.

The current role is recorded on the official source

10. Hayden Kingdon

Hayden Kingdon is the Principal of Pompallier Catholic College in Whangārei. Hayden Kingdon's leadership context is shaped by the Marist tradition and a three-part purpose: forming Christians, good people and scholars. Leads a co-educational Catholic college in the Marist tradition, with the stated formation of Christians, good people and scholars.

The current role is recorded on the official source

11. Sarah Kemble

Sarah Kemble is the Principal of Carmel College in Auckland. Sarah Kemble leads a Mercy tradition girls' college where academic, sporting and cultural opportunities sit alongside a clear expectation of service. Leads a Catholic girls' college in the Mercy tradition, where service to people who are poor or marginalised is part of the stated expectation.

The current role is recorded on the official source

12. Denise Johnson

Denise Johnson is the Principal of St Anthony's School in Seatoun, Wellington. Denise Johnson's leadership is grounded in a long relationship with the St Anthony's community and a practical faith-based view of teaching and learning. Describes a long association with the school and community, including her family's connection, and a passion for teaching from a faith-based perspective.

The current role is recorded on the official source

13. Jennifer Ioannou

Jennifer Ioannou is the Principal of St Brigid's School in Johnsonville, Wellington. Jennifer Ioannou leads a multicultural primary school where emotional wellbeing, belonging, culture and innovative learning are explicit parts of the welcome. Leads a multicultural Catholic primary school with a maximum roll of 330, described as welcoming, inclusive, enriching and innovative.

The current role is recorded on the official source

14. Jo Jones

Jo Jones is the Principal of St Bernadette's School in Christchurch. Jo Jones' principal message makes whole-child leadership visible through spiritual, cultural, social and practical school values. Leads with a whole-child focus on spirituality, cultural and social awareness, concern for others, compassion, excellence, responsibility and respect.

The current role is recorded on the official source

15. Steve Hart

Steve Hart is the Principal of St Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch. Steve Hart leads a Catholic boys' college whose current public leadership language joins academic capability with character and care. Leads a Catholic secondary college for young men where the school's stated purpose links knowledge, skills and character.

The current role is recorded on the official source

16. Lee-Ann Nanai

Lee-Ann Nanai is the Principal of Catholic Cathedral College in Christchurch. Lee-Ann Nanai leads a co-educational Catholic college that connects faith development, academic learning, creativity, social justice and Te Tiriti commitments. Leads an inclusive Years 7 to 13 Catholic college committed to faith, critical thinking, social justice and Te Tiriti obligations.

The current role is recorded on the official source

17. Sarah Parkinson

Sarah Parkinson is the Principal of St Mary's College in Wellington. Sarah Parkinson returned to a school close to her family after a long Catholic education career and Ministry of Education work. Returned to her former school as Principal after 20 years in education, including 19 years at St Patrick's College and work with the Ministry of Education.

The current role is recorded on the official source

18. Amélie Kelder

Amélie Kelder is the Principal of St Catherine's College in Kilbirnie, Wellington. Amélie Kelder leads through Mercy values, cultural responsiveness and a vision for young women as active and creative learners. Leads a Catholic girls' college where Mercy values, cultural responsiveness and a diverse community are central to the stated vision.

The current role is recorded on the official source

19. Anna Swann

Anna Swann is the Principal of St Dominic's Catholic College in Henderson, Auckland. Anna Swann's principal address connects Dominican heritage with belonging, confident young women, leadership, service and integrity. Leads a Years 7 to 13 college for young women in the Dominican tradition, with explicit attention to belonging, leadership, service and integrity.

The current role is recorded on the official source

20. Abraham Atherton

Abraham Atherton is the Principal of St Albans Catholic School in Christchurch. Abraham Atherton leads a Christchurch Catholic primary school and is included as a current school leader on the school's staff page. Current Principal of a Christchurch Catholic primary school serving a local community in St Albans.

The current role is recorded on the official source

What these principals show

This group shows that Catholic school leadership is shaped by context. Some leaders are establishing new schools and new ways of learning. Others are carrying a long tradition into a changing community. Some lead girls' colleges or boys' colleges, while others lead small primary schools where every family relationship matters.

The strongest common thread is not a single leadership style. It is the ability to hold several responsibilities together: high expectations for learning, a safe and welcoming culture, respect for each learner's identity, strong partnerships with whānau and a clear sense of purpose.

How to use this list

Use the list as a starting point for learning, not as a substitute for checking a school's current team page. If you are researching a school, read the principal's own welcome, look at the school's values and notice how the language of learning, care and service appears in everyday communication.

If you are building a leadership network, begin with the school context rather than a generic message. A short note that recognises a principal's actual setting will be more respectful and more useful than a broad pitch.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a ranking?

No. The names are in alphabetical order by surname. The list is a current directory-style selection, not a league table.

Does the list include every Catholic school principal in New Zealand?

No. New Zealand has a wide Catholic school network, and leadership records change. This article includes 20 leaders with clear current public evidence and a distinctive school context. A further 30 names are prepared in the companion research for manual rechecking before any public tagging.

How current is the information?

The sources were checked on 2026-08-12. School leadership can change during a school year, so any publication or outreach should include a final read-back from the school's current website.

Conclusion

The best school leadership is often visible in small things: whether students feel known, whether staff can do their best work, whether whānau are treated as partners and whether the school's values are more than words on a wall. These principals offer useful examples of how Catholic schools across New Zealand are trying to lead with faith, care, learning and service.

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If your school is looking for practical leadership development, keynote speaking or facilitated work, email jonno@consultclarity.org with a short note about your context and what you want to improve.

About the author

Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the author of Step Up or Step Out. He works with schools, corporates and nonprofits around the world. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.