At the centre of the web: The role of the New Zealand primary school principal within a decentralized education system

This is a report on a study exploring changes in the role of the primary principal since the New Zealand education reforms began in 1989. It looked at principals' own perceptions of their role, in the context of their schools, their work with boards, their experience of the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office, their own professional development and support, and their workloads.

The report shows that the central role of leadership had shifted to providing direction, encouragement, and integration of the school's work. It also suggests what would help to reduce principals' increasing workloads and support them better.