title: Young women and the co-construction of leadership

authors: McNae, Rachel Elizabeth

subjects: age groups

abstract: Purpose – Young women's leadership is an area frequently overlooked in educational leadership development. This paper aims to bring young women's voices into educational leadership conversations and illustrate an alternative approach to young women's leadership development. 
Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative action research study was located in an urban girls' high school in New Zealand. The researcher worked in partnership with 12 young women and used a process of co-construction to design a leadership development programme. The young women then participated in, evaluated and modified the programme before teaching it to another group of students. 
Findings – Co-construction was an effective way to develop a relevant and authentic leadership programme that met the needs of the young women, however, the process was extremely complex. The findings indicated that this approach challenged existing views of teaching and learning and was an active process that required significant efforts to balance input and share ownership between the researcher and the young women. 
Research limitations/implications – The findings highlighted the importance of including young women in decision-making processes related to their leadership learning. Future consideration in this area could relate to creating a sustainable leadership culture in schools by engaging this process across year levels. 
Originality/value – This paper outlines an alternative approach to leadership development in high schools that could be used in a number of contexts as these findings related to women's youth leadership development have implications on leadership development for women at all levels.

text: Young women and the co-construction of leadership Purpose – Young women's leadership is an area frequently overlooked in educational leadership development. This paper aims to bring young women's voices into educational leadership conversations and illustrate an alternative approach to young women's leadership development. 
Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative action research study was located in an urban girls' high school in New Zealand. The researcher worked in partnership with 12 young women and used a process of co-construction to design a leadership development programme. The young women then participated in, evaluated and modified the programme before teaching it to another group of students. 
Findings – Co-construction was an effective way to develop a relevant and authentic leadership programme that met the needs of the young women, however, the process was extremely complex. The findings indicated that this approach challenged existing views of teaching and learning and was an active process that required significant efforts to balance input and share ownership between the researcher and the young women. 
Research limitations/implications – The findings highlighted the importance of including young women in decision-making processes related to their leadership learning. Future consideration in this area could relate to creating a sustainable leadership culture in schools by engaging this process across year levels. 
Originality/value – This paper outlines an alternative approach to leadership development in high schools that could be used in a number of contexts as these findings related to women's youth leadership development have implications on leadership development for women at all levels.

year: 2010

title: Lake Rotoiti fieldwork and modelling to support considerations of Ohau Channel diversion from Lake Rotoiti

authors: Hamilton, David P.

abstract: A detailed assessment of the water quality effects of the Ohau Channel inflow to Lake Rotoiti was carried out using field and computer modelling analyses. The modelling assessment evaluates the effects on Lake Rotoiti of partial (50%) or complete (100%) diversion of the Ohau Channel. A comprehensive bathymetric survey of Lake Rotoiti and the eastern end of Lake Rotorua was also carried out to provide information for the application of a three-dimensional model run by NIWA, so that different diversion wall positions and designs might be tested prior to possible implementation. Field measurements based on temperature, conductivity and chlorophyll fluorescence carried out from February to May 2004 captured instances when the Ohau Channel entered Lake Rotoiti as a buoyant overflow. These data and historical records suggest that approximately 20% of the buoyant surface inflow enters the main basin of Lake Rotoiti, while the remainder is short-circuited through the Kaituna arm to the outflow.

text: Lake Rotoiti fieldwork and modelling to support considerations of Ohau Channel diversion from Lake Rotoiti A detailed assessment of the water quality effects of the Ohau Channel inflow to Lake Rotoiti was carried out using field and computer modelling analyses. The modelling assessment evaluates the effects on Lake Rotoiti of partial (50%) or complete (100%) diversion of the Ohau Channel. A comprehensive bathymetric survey of Lake Rotoiti and the eastern end of Lake Rotorua was also carried out to provide information for the application of a three-dimensional model run by NIWA, so that different diversion wall positions and designs might be tested prior to possible implementation. Field measurements based on temperature, conductivity and chlorophyll fluorescence carried out from February to May 2004 captured instances when the Ohau Channel entered Lake Rotoiti as a buoyant overflow. These data and historical records suggest that approximately 20% of the buoyant surface inflow enters the main basin of Lake Rotoiti, while the remainder is short-circuited through the Kaituna arm to the outflow.

year: 2005-03

title: Exploring the experiences of Māori Wāhine in a STEM project-based secondary classroom: A relational and intersectional perspective

authors: Cheryl, Mitchell

abstract: Using phenomenology, an intersectional lens, and the principles of Kaupapa Māori research, this study investigates how young Māori (Indigenous) wāhine (women) ākonga (students) experience interdisciplinary project-based STEM education. Historical educational policies in Aotearoa New Zealand required Māori to assimilate into a Pākehā (European) school system, contributing to persistent academic underperformance, particularly in science. Māori have been more likely to leave school early, and those who remain often opt out of science subjects, especially Māori wāhine. International literature suggests that transdisciplinary STEM education grounded in social justice and equity can improve engagement and outcomes for underrepresented learners. The study was guided by two questions: (1) how Māori wāhine experienced the STEM programme, and (2) what their challenges were to succeed in STEM.

In 2016, while teaching at a low-decile (socioeconomic disadvantaged), urban, co-educational English-medium high school, I trialled an integrated, interdisciplinary project-based STEM class that incorporated meaningful phenomena and culturally responsive pedagogy. The class’s success led to STEM becoming a core component of a broader school initiative. In 2018, the seven Māori wāhine ākonga enrolled in the Year 11 (age 15–16) STEM class were invited to become “Story Sharers” and reflect on their experiences. As a teacher-researcher (insider), I used reflexive practices and clear role delineation to leverage contextual knowledge while minimising bias. Narrative data were collected over two years (2018–2019) through six semi-structured discussion groups and one individual interview. Quantitative data included tracking attendance records, retention, and academic achievement.

Findings indicate that the Story Sharers valued co-constructed topics and tasks, a supportive whānau (family/community) class format, and authentic project work undertaken over extended learning periods. They consistently identified strengthened relationships, particularly among peers as central to engagement, wellbeing, motivation to learn, and as the most salient indicator of success. Academic performance increased relative to prior Year-10 e-asTTle (Electronic Assessment Tool for Teaching and Learning in mathematics, reading, and writing) benchmarks, alongside improved STEM class attendance, retention in school, and intentions to continue in STEM.

Interpretive thematic analysis using an intersectional lens revealed that racism, stereotyping, and impacts on wellbeing were significant barriers to learning. These discriminatory experiences were pervasive across school, community, and online spaces and were compounded by gendered and intergenerational dynamics. The Story Sharers described complex, fluid, and intersecting identities shaped by lived experiences, including witnessing discrimination against Māori wāhine in their whānau and the legacy of colonial schooling practices such as the suppression of te reo Māori.

In this study, STEM project-based learning was shaped by two interwoven design elements: relational pedagogy and relational thinking. Relational pedagogy prioritised relationships and co-construction within a whānau-formatted classroom. Relational thinking described the interdisciplinary logic of the programme itself, connecting disciplinary knowledge to place, context, and community so that learning is organised around meaningful phenomena rather than siloed subjects. Together, these elements functioned as a counterspace that fostered inclusive engagement, affirmed identities, and supported belonging for Māori wāhine. Grounded in culturally responsive and whānau-based approaches, this model enabled learners to challenge deficit narratives and engage meaningfully in STEM. The outcomes offer assurance that integrated, project-based STEM education, underpinned by these relational frameworks, can improve outcomes for learners whose identities and experiences have been marginalised in traditional schooling. However, policymakers must remain attentive to historical policy barriers and intersectional factors that continue to perpetuate inequities within the education system.

text: Exploring the experiences of Māori Wāhine in a STEM project-based secondary classroom: A relational and intersectional perspective Using phenomenology, an intersectional lens, and the principles of Kaupapa Māori research, this study investigates how young Māori (Indigenous) wāhine (women) ākonga (students) experience interdisciplinary project-based STEM education. Historical educational policies in Aotearoa New Zealand required Māori to assimilate into a Pākehā (European) school system, contributing to persistent academic underperformance, particularly in science. Māori have been more likely to leave school early, and those who remain often opt out of science subjects, especially Māori wāhine. International literature suggests that transdisciplinary STEM education grounded in social justice and equity can improve engagement and outcomes for underrepresented learners. The study was guided by two questions: (1) how Māori wāhine experienced the STEM programme, and (2) what their challenges were to succeed in STEM.

In 2016, while teaching at a low-decile (socioeconomic disadvantaged), urban, co-educational English-medium high school, I trialled an integrated, interdisciplinary project-based STEM class that incorporated meaningful phenomena and culturally responsive pedagogy. The class’s success led to STEM becoming a core component of a broader school initiative. In 2018, the seven Māori wāhine ākonga enrolled in the Year 11 (age 15–16) STEM class were invited to become “Story Sharers” and reflect on their experiences. As a teacher-researcher (insider), I used reflexive practices and clear role delineation to leverage contextual knowledge while minimising bias. Narrative data were collected over two years (2018–2019) through six semi-structured discussion groups and one individual interview. Quantitative data included tracking attendance records, retention, and academic achievement.

Findings indicate that the Story Sharers valued co-constructed topics and tasks, a supportive whānau (family/community) class format, and authentic project work undertaken over extended learning periods. They consistently identified strengthened relationships, particularly among peers as central to engagement, wellbeing, motivation to learn, and as the most salient indicator of success. Academic performance increased relative to prior Year-10 e-asTTle (Electronic Assessment Tool for Teaching and Learning in mathematics, reading, and writing) benchmarks, alongside improved STEM class attendance, retention in school, and intentions to continue in STEM.

Interpretive thematic analysis using an intersectional lens revealed that racism, stereotyping, and impacts on wellbeing were significant barriers to learning. These discriminatory experiences were pervasive across school, community, and online spaces and were compounded by gendered and intergenerational dynamics. The Story Sharers described complex, fluid, and intersecting identities shaped by lived experiences, including witnessing discrimination against Māori wāhine in their whānau and the legacy of colonial schooling practices such as the suppression of te reo Māori.

In this study, STEM project-based learning was shaped by two interwoven design elements: relational pedagogy and relational thinking. Relational pedagogy prioritised relationships and co-construction within a whānau-formatted classroom. Relational thinking described the interdisciplinary logic of the programme itself, connecting disciplinary knowledge to place, context, and community so that learning is organised around meaningful phenomena rather than siloed subjects. Together, these elements functioned as a counterspace that fostered inclusive engagement, affirmed identities, and supported belonging for Māori wāhine. Grounded in culturally responsive and whānau-based approaches, this model enabled learners to challenge deficit narratives and engage meaningfully in STEM. The outcomes offer assurance that integrated, project-based STEM education, underpinned by these relational frameworks, can improve outcomes for learners whose identities and experiences have been marginalised in traditional schooling. However, policymakers must remain attentive to historical policy barriers and intersectional factors that continue to perpetuate inequities within the education system.

year: 2025-10-17