Book Review: Effective Leadership in Early Childhood Services and Primary School Education in Aotearoa New Zealand

Edited by Tracey Carlyon and Rosina Merry (2024)
Reviewed by Raewyn Penman
Published by NZCER Press | NZ$45.00

This edited volume offers a timely and insightful exploration of leadership across early childhood and primary education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Carlyon and Merry bring together a diverse range of contributors—researchers, practitioners, and leaders—who collectively illuminate the complexities and contextual nuances of educational leadership in bicultural and increasingly multicultural settings.

The book is thoughtfully structured into three parts: leadership within cultures and contexts, leadership within the early childhood sector, and leadership within the primary sector. Each section blends empirical research with practical experience, offering readers a rich and grounded understanding of effective leadership practice.

Throughout the volume, readers will find a range of tools and strategies that can be readily adapted to diverse educational contexts. The opening chapter by Tui Summers and Sandra Tuhakaraina provides a valuable framework linking mātauranga Māori principles and values to leadership practice. The final chapter by Anthony Fisher reinforces the importance of relational leadership for principals, offering a reflective and compelling conclusion. Importantly, the contributors do not shy away from the tensions inherent in leading within a system shaped by colonial legacies and the ongoing pursuit of equity and partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

While primarily aimed at professionals in early childhood and primary education, this book also holds relevance for those working in secondary and tertiary education, initial teacher education, vocational training, and policy development. It is a valuable addition to any educational leader’s library—offering inspiration, insight, and practical ideas to enhance leadership across the sector.