The Waikato Management School Leadership Academy was established with a clear purpose: Supercharging impact and careers through leadership.
The Leadership Academy is an engaging and supportive environment which fosters the growth in capability, confidence, and character of ambitious and self-motivated Year 13 students.
Participants come from diverse leadership backgrounds, illustrating our commitment to nurturing leadership potential.
Whether you're a school prefect, a quiet changemaker, or someone simply curious about growing as a leader, this programme is for you. We welcome students from all walks of leadership, including those who haven’t held formal roles but show the spark and potential to lead.
Through a first-year UniStart paper, you’ll get a taste of university life while building real-world leadership skills that can shape your future, wherever it leads.
Students engage with leadership concepts and training and explore how to find their own unique voice and clarify their own values. They will be able to apply these skills in their schools and communities and help others develop as leaders.
The WMS Leadership Academy – Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
2026 Registrations open now! Select your preferred programme below to register
LEAD Connect
March to June. Each year the programme launches with an in-person event during term one. Early in term two, cohorts join through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions at our Hamilton campus.
LEAD Online
March to June. A flexible, learning experience with one-on-one tutorials, remote access, self-nomination, and a tailored final assessment. Ideal for students balancing other commitments or studying from different locations.
Commitment
For eligible domestic students, fees would be covered by the Unistart scholarship so there are no costs for students or your school.
A fee is required for international students, and we will be happy to discuss this with you prior to enrolment.
For LEAD Connect students there will be some travel involved, so there might be the need for car-pooling and travel to the locations where the cohorts meet locally, or to our Hamilton campus twice in the year.
The total time commitment for students will be approximately 150 hours. This is made up of the readings, assessments, on campus events for LEAD Connect, online tutorials and leadership activities that the students will already be involved in through school.
The Leadership Academy - what's it all about?
Hear from some of the students and teachers who have taken part in The Leadership Academy.
WMS Leadership Academy team
Jamie Fitzgerald
Executive Leadership Fellow (BCS, University of Waikato)
Jamie is passionate about helping people realise their potential by co-creating an inspiring purpose, effective goal-setting and communication. Jamie is the CEO of his consultancy business, Inspiring Performance. and a Distinguished Alumnus of Waikato Management School. An avid adventurer, he has walked unaided to the South Pole and holds the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2011, Jamie managed the design and delivery of training to 7000+ Rugby World Cup 2011 volunteers.
Tui MacDonald
Leadership Academy Paper Convenor MMgt (Dist)
Shaping our future leaders is something Tui is passionate about. Leadership comes in many forms and Tui is excited to share knowledge on this important topic. The Leadership Academy is a wonderful opportunity for students to build their skills and apply them to support their communities.
Tui is a lecturer in Leadership and PhD candidate at the Waikato Management School. Prior to her role at the university, she was the Director of her corporate communications, media management, and marketing consultancy.
Tui has whakapapa to Ngāti Ranginui, Ngā Puhi, Te Atiawa and Ngāti Pāoa.
Hannah Hall
Divisional Manager - Students, Waikato Management School
Hannah leads the charge in ensuring students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. With over a decade of experience in the education industry and a real passion for student success, Hannah is committed to making Waikato Management School the place to be for students to thrive and accomplish their goals. She can provide information, guidance and support to help ensure the students' success in the Leadership Academy.
Ros Elliott
Student Engagement Coordinator, Waikato Management School
Ros is the first point of contact for students in the Leadership Academy. With decades of experience in secondary and tertiary education, Ros brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her background as a careers advisor has fueled her passion for helping students realise their potential. Ros is dedicated to guiding and supporting students as they navigate their educational and career paths, encouraging them to succeed.
Schools involved in the Leadership Academy
Howick College
Pukekohe High School
Wesley College
Aquinas College, Tauranga
John Paul College, Rotorua
Katikati College
Mount Maunganui College
Ōtūmoetai College
Pāpāmoa College
Reporoa College
Rotorua Boys' High School
Rotorua Girls' High School
Tauranga Boys’ College
Tauranga Girls' College
Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai
Trident High School, Whakatane
Waihi College
Western Heights High School, Rotorua
Whakatane High School
New Plymouth Girls’ High School
Spotswood College, New Plymouth
Cambridge High School
Forest View High School, Hamilton
Hamilton Boys’ High School
Hamilton Christian School
Hauraki Plains College
Hillcrest High School, Hamilton
Mangakōtukutuku College, Hamilton
Matamata College
Morrinsville College
Onewhero Area School, Tuakau
Ōtorohanga College
Raglan Area School
Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Hamilton
St John’s College, Hamilton
St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton
St Peter’s School, Cambridge
Te Aroha College
Te Awamutu College
Te Wharekura o Maniapoto
Tokoroa High School
Waikato Diocesan School For Girls
Aotea College, Porirua
Kāpiti College, Paraparumu
Newlands College, Wellington
Paraparaumu College, Kāpiti Coast
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, Wellington
St Bernard’s College, Wellington
St Mary’s College, Wellington
Wairarapa College, Masterton
Wellington Girls' College
In the media
- BOP student leaders get jump start on university – Sunlive, 21 June 2022
- Waikato Management School gives high school students taste of university at Leadership Academy – NZ Herald, 25 June 2022
- Students leading the way to a new life – Stuff.co.nz, 18 August 2022