Welcome to: Liz Koni, Deputy Principal - Culture and Relationships

A mihi whakatau is a form of welcome similar to pōwhiri, but less formal. It removes the tapu (restrictions) on the manuhiri (visitors), making them one with the tangata whenua (hosts). Liz's family attended and handed her over to us.

We're excited to have Liz join our community and contribute to the change journey we have initiated. She brings an impressive wealth of experience and passion for education and supporting young people to thrive. As Liz shared in her speech at the end of the mihi whakatau, she was drawn to John McGlashan College due to the alignment of her values with our school's values.

Liz will oversee the Culture and Relationships areas of our school, with a particular focus on embedding our refreshed values, developing character education, student leadership, and strengthening our pastoral processes and restorative practices.

Liz has had a busy week meeting staff, visiting classrooms, and spending time with the students. She has even relieved a few classes, by request! The best person to tell you about Liz, is Liz. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions to share here with the community:

What first inspired you to get into education, and what keeps you passionate about it today?

I've always been drawn to working with young people and helping them discover what they're capable of. Early in my career I realised that education is about far more than academic achievement - it's about helping young people build confidence, resilience, character, and a sense of purpose.

What continues to inspire me is seeing young people grow and thrive. Every day brings opportunities to make a positive difference, whether that's supporting a student through a challenge, helping a teacher develop their practice, or contributing to a school culture where people feel they belong. The impact schools can have on a young person's life is incredibly powerful, and I still feel privileged to be part of that work.

When you look at our school community, what are you most excited to dive into or be a part of?

One of the things that attracted me to John McGlashan College was its strong sense of community and its commitment to developing young men of character. There is a clear set of values that underpin school life, and I am excited to be part of a community where relationships, service, and personal growth are as highly regarded as academic achievement.

I'm looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, and families, listening to their stories, and understanding what makes the school special. I also hope to contribute to strengthening the systems, opportunities, and culture that help young people flourish. Being part of a community that is focused not only on achievement but also on preparing young men to lead meaningful and purposeful lives is going to be rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about working with boys, and how do you approach helping them thrive both inside and outside the classroom?

Boys bring a tremendous amount of energy, humour, curiosity, and potential. What I enjoy most is helping them recognise their strengths and encouraging them to step beyond what they think they're capable of.

I believe young people thrive when they feel known, valued, and challenged. Strong relationships are at the heart of that. My approach is to set high expectations while also providing the support and encouragement needed to meet them. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, in leadership roles, or through service opportunities, I think it's important that boys have opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a sense of responsibility for others.

Outside of the school day, how do you like to spend your time or recharge your batteries?

Outside of work, family time is always the priority. This usually involves a lot of taxiing kids to and from sports practices and games, or watching from the sidelines. I'm definitely an active relaxer, so I love being outdoors and involved in anything that gets me moving, and that usually involves kids in tow too.

When I do slow down, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, and learning about topics related to leadership, wellbeing, and education. Family time, physical activity, and discovering something new are what help me recharge and return to work feeling refreshed and energised.