“Leadership is about influence with purpose. It is about taking people and ideas to new places. It is the practice of mobilising people to tackle tough challenges and thrive. It involves establishing and maintaining a culture that enables people to adapt, thrive, and undertake collective work that has a positive impact in terms of an agreed vision and purpose.” 

Te Rautaki Kaihautū mō te Umanga Whakaakoranga o Aotearoa, The Leadership Strategy for the teaching profession of Aotearoa New Zealand

Approaches to leadership are diverse and vary between early learning services and leaders. Effective leadership can take many forms. For example, shared, transformative, authentic, and values-based.  

“Effective leadership practice acknowledges there are many important participants, learners, whānau, iwi, educators, Māori communities, and government working together to maximise success for Māori. Each has a positive contribution to make and a range of skills, knowledge, and resources that are important to support and deliver quality outcomes for all learners.” 

Tū Rangatira: Māori medium educational leadership

The above quote highlights the crucial place of reciprocal relationships in effective leadership. Taking the time to build authentic relationships is a key role of leadership. 

It is crucial to understand how leadership influences and engages Pacific children within culturally relevant pedagogy. Hence, the importance of respecting cultural values, family, and community contribution. Leaders have a responsibility to create space and opportunity for Pacific ‘aiga to engage with and contribute meaningfully to their children's learning experiences. 

Leadership for learning 

An important aspect of effective leadership in early childhood services is leadership for learning and a commitment to ongoing growth.  

Leadership for learning encompasses a broad definition of leadership that involves shared collective responsibility. This means that all kaiako need to have a clear focus on how they lead learning for all children, lead the learning of other kaiako, and, by implication, whānau too.