3 New Zealand School Principals Worth Following

Last updated: August 2026

As of August 2026, these three New Zealand school principals are useful people to follow on LinkedIn if you want grounded perspectives on learning, belonging and the work of leading a school. They work in different school communities, but each shares current public thinking that can help education leaders reflect on their own practice.

New Zealand school principals carry a wide brief. They hold the learning environment, support staff, work with whānau and boards, and help young people find a place to belong. This short directory is intentionally modest. It brings together three principals whose school communities and public thinking offer a genuinely useful starting point for readers who want a few grounded voices in their feed.

The names are presented alphabetically for easy navigation. This is not a complete map of principalship in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a practical starting point for readers who want to add a few thoughtful, current voices to their LinkedIn feed.

Why school principals are worth following

School leadership becomes easier to understand when you can see how other leaders describe their real priorities. Public posts, school updates and professional writing can reveal the questions leaders are working through, from curriculum change to belonging, inclusion and the everyday choices that shape a learning community.

Following a small number of school principals is not about copying another school. Context matters. A useful post can still prompt a better question at your own school: what would this look like here, for our learners, our staff and our community?

For principals and aspiring principals, LinkedIn can also be a place to notice language that is clear, respectful and practical. The people below offer a starting point because their current roles are visible on their schools' own websites and their public profiles show recent engagement with education.

1. Claire Amos

Principal, Albany Senior High School

Claire Amos is Principal of Albany Senior High School in Auckland. Her school biography connects her leadership to a long career in teaching, educational leadership and national education projects. For readers following New Zealand secondary education, her public contributions provide a useful window into current conversations about school systems and learner experience.

The same biography notes that Amos was a founding member of the Education Council of Aotearoa and a co-founder of DisruptEDNZ. Her recent LinkedIn post engages with Teaching Council changes, making her a practical follow for people interested in public discussion about education policy and school leadership.

2. Robert Gilbert

Principal, Papanui High School

Robert Gilbert is Principal of Papanui High School in Christchurch. His welcome message frames the school around high expectations and genuine belonging, while describing learning pathways designed for different student needs. That combination makes his work relevant to leaders thinking about how a school's culture and curriculum support each other.

Papanui High School's public introduction describes accelerated learning, low sensory classes and Te Whatukura, a Kaupapa Māori curriculum pathway. Gilbert's LinkedIn profile shows recent education-related activity, so readers can follow a leader whose public school context includes inclusive learning design as well as achievement.

3. Greg Thornton

Principal, Rangitoto College

Greg Thornton is Principal of Rangitoto College in Auckland. The school's leadership page says he returned to Rangitoto after seven years as Principal of Cambridge High School. That background gives readers a useful perspective on leading through change across large secondary-school settings.

Thornton's LinkedIn appointment post reflects on returning to lead the school where he studied and began teaching. His 2026 principal report also focuses on opportunity, participation and connection across the school community.

What these principals show us about school leadership

These examples point to a simple pattern: leadership becomes more useful when it is expressed in the language of a real community. The public material here speaks about belonging, pathways, opportunity and participation. Those are not interchangeable ideas, but they all become meaningful when a school shows how they shape daily learning.

There is also value in following leaders beyond your immediate setting. A principal at a large secondary school, a leader working through public policy questions and a principal explaining inclusive learning pathways will each bring a different lens. The goal is not agreement on every issue. It is better questions and a wider professional view.

How to use this list

Start by following one person and reading a few recent posts or school updates. Notice the themes that recur. Are they about curriculum, student voice, staff culture, community partnership or something else? Save one idea that feels relevant, then discuss it with a colleague in the context of your own school.

Keep the learning practical. A useful follow should lead to a clearer question, a better conversation or a small experiment that fits your community. Avoid treating a polished post as a complete model. The most valuable part is the reflection it prompts about your own learners, staff and whānau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why follow school principals on LinkedIn?

Following principals can expose you to current conversations about education, leadership and school communities. The practical value comes from comparing ideas with your own context, rather than assuming that a practice from another school will transfer unchanged.

Are these the only principals worth following in New Zealand?

No. New Zealand has many thoughtful school leaders. This directory is intentionally small, built around three principals whose public thinking offers a genuinely useful starting point rather than a complete map of the profession.

Can teachers use this list too?

Yes. Teachers, board members, aspiring leaders and education partners can use it as a starting point for professional learning. Read with curiosity and connect any useful idea back to the needs of your own learners and community.

What should I look for in a useful leadership post?

Look for clear thinking that helps you ask a better question about practice. Posts about learner experience, belonging, curriculum or community can be useful when they are specific enough to prompt reflection without pretending every school has the same conditions.

Conclusion

The best professional follows do not give you a script. They give you a sharper way to notice your own work. Claire Amos, Robert Gilbert and Greg Thornton each offer a current, public view into different parts of school leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Choose one person from this directory, read a recent post or school update, and write down one question it raises for your own setting. Then use that question in a real conversation with a colleague or leadership team.

Related Reading

33 Inspiring School Leaders Building Staff Culture explores practical approaches to school culture. 25 Proven Ways to Build a Coaching Culture in School offers ideas for leadership teams seeking stronger professional learning conversations.

Support for school leadership teams

If your school leadership team wants a practical workshop on collaboration, culture or difficult conversations, Jonno White can support a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.

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.