Craig McCarthny

Craig is a Principal Mentor, working alongside principals in their 3rd – 6th year of principalship.

During Craig’s 33 years as a principal in state and state-integrated schools, he has led three schools through significant changes in New Zealand’s educational landscape. He was able to bring immediate and long-term positive change to those schools by providing clear, visionary and strong leadership. His last position, ending in 2021, was 19 years as principal of St Heliers School in Auckland.

Craig has been the president of two principal associations, been the lead principal for a Kahui Ako, a member local and national principal organisations and has mentored a number of first-time principals.

In 2017 Craig was awarded honorary membership of the Auckland East Rotary Club for services to the community.

His skills and strengths are in the areas of:

• professional leadership

• curriculum knowledge and management

• strategic leadership

• management skills

• communication and interpersonal skills

Craig is the proud poppa of two beautiful grandsons who he looks after one day a week. He is an avid sports fan, ranging from motorsports to American football but is main passion is rugby, supporting Auckland, the Blues and the All Blacks. Craig enjoys (trying) to keep fit, water sports and is learning to play golf.