Hon Kelvin Davis is an educator and a former school principal, Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. His career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for learners, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Before entering Parliament, he spent more than 20 years in education as a teacher and principal, including leading Kaitaia Intermediate School, where he was recognised for driving significant improvements in student engagement, achievement and school performance.  

Of Ngāpuhi descent, Kelvin has been a longstanding advocate for education, Māori development and social equity. He served as a Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2011 and 2014 to 2024, including as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 2017 to 2023.  

During his ministerial career, he held several senior portfolios, including Minister for Children, Minister of Corrections, Minister for Māori-Crown Relations, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Education, where he contributed to policies and initiatives aimed at improving educational achievement and wellbeing, particularly for Māori learners and communities.  

Following his parliamentary career, Kelvin has continued to contribute to education and public service. In 2026, he was appointed to the Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group, bringing his extensive experience in education, leadership and community engagement to support improved outcomes for Māori learners across the education system.   

Kelvin brings to the EAG a unique combination of classroom teaching experience, school leadership expertise and system-level policy knowledge. His commitment to educational excellence, equity and culturally responsive practice provides valuable insight into the development of teaching standards that support high-quality outcomes for all learners in Aotearoa. 

Scott Haines JP is principal of Burnside High School, one of New Zealand’s largest secondary schools, and a highly respected educational leader with extensive experience across the schooling sector. 

Over a career spanning senior leadership and principalship roles, he has led Burnside High School, Motueka High School and Waimea College, building a strong reputation for educational excellence, student achievement and community engagement.  

Scott has made significant contributions to education at a national level through his service as Vice-President of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), membership of the Professional Advisory Group for NCEA, participation in a Ministerial Forum on Raising Student Achievement, and involvement with NZQA advisory panels.  

His work has focused on strengthening teaching and learning, improving student outcomes, and supporting effective education policy and practice.

A Justice of the Peace and recently appointed member of the Tertiary Education Commission Board, Scott brings deep expertise in school leadership, curriculum, assessment and the transition between secondary and tertiary education.  

Professor Lorraine Hammond CF AM is currently Professor of Early Years Literacy at The University of Notre Dame Australia and has held academic and research positions for more than 2 decades. She is one of Australasia’s leading experts in literacy education, teacher development and evidence-based instructional practice. 

A highly respected academic, researcher and former classroom teacher, she has dedicated her career to improving educational outcomes for children through effective teaching, with a particular focus on early literacy, learning difficulties, explicit instruction and instructional coaching.

Professor Hammond is internationally recognised for her work in translating educational research into practical teaching approaches that improve student achievement. 

Her research has focused on early reading development, literacy instruction, classroom practice and teacher capability, and she has published extensively in these fields. She has worked with schools across Australia to strengthen teaching practice through professional learning and instructional coaching, helping educators implement evidence-based approaches that support learner success. 

A passionate advocate for ensuring every child learns to read successfully, Professor Hammond has led significant literacy improvement initiatives, including the Kimberley Schools Project, which supports evidence-based literacy instruction in regional and remote schools. 

Her work has influenced teacher education programmes, literacy policy and classroom practice, contributing to improved outcomes for students, particularly those experiencing educational disadvantage.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education and the community, Professor Hammond was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and has been inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Her expertise in teacher effectiveness, professional learning, literacy development and evidence-based teaching brings a valuable international perspective to the EAG. 

Dr Nina Hood is a leading New Zealand education researcher, policy adviser, and social entrepreneur with extensive expertise in curriculum, teaching quality, evidence-informed practice, and teacher development. 

Dr Hood is the founder of The Education Hub, a not-for-profit organisation established to bridge the gap between educational research and classroom practice, and the co-founder of The Teachers’ Institute, which focuses on strengthening teacher preparation and professional learning. 

A trained secondary school teacher, Dr Hood holds a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Education and an Master of Science in Learning and Technology from the University of Oxford. She previously served as a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, where her research focused on knowledge mobilisation, evidence-informed teaching and the science of learning. 

Dr Hood has contributed extensively to education policy and system improvement in Aotearoa New Zealand, including work with the Ministry of Education on curriculum reform, teacher education, and school improvement initiatives. 

She is widely recognised for her ability to translate research into practical strategies that support high-quality teaching and improved learner outcomes. 

In recognition of her services to education, Dr Hood was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). She is a respected national and international voice on education, regularly contributing to policy discussions and advisory groups focused on strengthening teaching, learning, and educational excellence. 

Dr Hood brings valuable expertise to the Teaching Standards Expert Advisory Group, particularly in the areas of teaching quality, professional practice, curriculum design and the use of research evidence to support effective educational outcomes.

Dr Kevin Knight MNZM, JP is a respected educator, educational psychologist and teacher educator whose career has spanned school leadership, teacher education, professional learning and educational governance. 

Beginning his career as a secondary mathematics teacher, he has taught in New Zealand and Australia, served as a secondary school principal, practised as an educational psychologist, and worked as a lecturer in teacher education. 

He is also a former member of the New Zealand Teachers Council, bringing extensive expertise in teaching quality, professional standards and educator development. 

Dr Knight is a founding director and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Graduate School of Education (NZGSE), which he helped establish in 1995 to provide high-quality, practice-focused teacher education. 

Through NZGSE and its school improvement initiatives, he has played a significant role in preparing and supporting teachers and school leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on effective teaching practice, behaviour management, professional learning and school improvement. 

Dr Knight is the developer of the 8People model of teacher practice, a model that includes measurable standards for a set of essential skills for teachers.

Holding advanced qualifications in education, educational psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education, Dr Knight has contributed extensively to the development of teaching capability and educational leadership. 

In recognition of his services to education, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours. 

His deep knowledge of teacher preparation, professional practice and educational effectiveness provides valuable expertise to the Teaching Standards Expert Advisory Group.

Professor Joce Nuttall is Executive Dean of Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education at the University of Canterbury and a distinguished educational leader, researcher and teacher educator with more than 4 decades of experience across primary, early childhood and tertiary education. 

Her career has spanned leadership, teaching, research and policy roles in both New Zealand and Australia, with a longstanding focus on strengthening educational practice, developing teacher capability and improving outcomes for learners. Professor Nuttall is internationally recognised for her expertise in teacher education, educational leadership, early childhood curriculum policy and workforce development. 

Prior to joining the University of Canterbury, she held senior leadership positions at Australian Catholic University and Monash University, including Research Director – Teacher Education and associate dean roles. 

Her research has focused on the initial and ongoing education of teachers and educational leaders, the development of high-quality professional practice, and system-level approaches to building workforce capability. 

A leading contributor to curriculum and policy development, Professor Nuttall chaired the Advisory Group on Early Learning that reviewed the implementation of Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, and has extensive experience in the design and evaluation of teacher education programmes. 

She has also served on the Board of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority and was a Governor-General’s appointee to the Board of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. 

Professor Nuttall holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education and is a Fellow of the Australian Teacher Education Association. She is widely published in the fields of teacher education, professional learning, leadership and curriculum, and is recognised for her contributions to educational research and policy across Australasia.

Professor Damon Salesa is Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology (AUT), where he leads a university of more than 26,000 students and 4,000 staff, one of the largest and most diverse in Aotearoa New Zealand. He is also Chair of Universities New Zealand’s International Committee.

A Rhodes Scholar and award-winning historian, Professor Salesa specialises in the histories, societies and politics of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. 

He holds a Master of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Oxford. He has held senior academic and leadership roles at the University of Michigan, the University of Auckland and AUT.
Professor Salesa is the first Pacific person to serve as Vice-Chancellor of a New Zealand university. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and a Fellow of Oriel College, University of Oxford. 

His work as a scholar and leader has contributed to national and regional conversations on education, inequality, and opportunity, particularly for Māori and Pacific learners.

As Vice-Chancellor, he leads AUT’s work on education, innovation, and the future of learning, including chairing its AI task force and advancing the role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in teaching and learning.

Professor Salesa brings expertise in educational leadership, curriculum, pedagogy, and learner success, with a strong focus on equity, quality and outcomes across the education system.

Kelly Seaburg is an experienced education leader, governance practitioner and sector advocate with a strong background spanning early childhood education, adult education, research and policy. 

As Chair of Advocates for Early Learning Excellence, she works closely with educators, providers and government agencies to promote high-quality, evidence-informed learning outcomes for children and young people across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

She also represents the sector on the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Advisory Committee and has served on the Ministerial Advisory Group undertaking the review of New Zealand’s early childhood education funding model. 

Kelly brings a unique combination of practical educational leadership and research expertise, including current research with the University of Waikato into oral language and maths development in the early years and is a member of the AI in Education at Oxford University research hub. 

Her career has included ownership and leadership of early childhood education services, governance and strategic advisory roles, and the establishment of a nationwide training enterprise delivering literacy, numeracy and workplace capability programmes. 

Kelly’s work is characterised by a strong focus on evidence-based practice, data-informed decision-making, and improving educational outcomes through effective policy and system design. 

A passionate advocate for learning pathways that support success from early childhood through to adulthood, Kelly has contributed to national conversations on curriculum, literacy development, teaching quality and educational reform. 

Iain Taylor ONZM is one of New Zealand’s most respected school leaders, with more than 30 years’ experience as a principal and a distinguished record of educational leadership in New Zealand and internationally. 

He is principal of Manurewa Intermediate School, where he has led a sustained programme of school transformation since 2008, strengthening teaching and learning, improving student engagement and achievement, and helping establish the school as a high-performing learning community. 

Prior to his current role, Iain served as principal of Lake Rotoma School and Ponsonby Intermediate School and was the founding principal of the United World College of Southeast Asia Elementary School in Singapore. Across these roles, he has developed a reputation for innovative leadership, educational excellence and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for learners. 

Iain was the recipient of the 2019 Woolf Fisher fellowship for outstanding secondary school principals and teachers and is the author of 'All the time, Every time, All of us, Everywhere! The intentional transformation of a failing school'. 

In recognition of his outstanding services to education, Iain was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). Iain has made significant contributions to the profession beyond his school leadership roles. He has served in leadership positions within Auckland and national principals’ associations, including as President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation, and has represented the region as an executive member of the International Confederation of Principals. 

He has also been a member of a range of Ministry of Education advisory groups, contributing his expertise to curriculum, leadership and system improvement initiatives. 

Tony Ward is an experienced health practitioner, educator and professional leader with extensive expertise across nursing, paramedicine, clinical practice and health workforce development. He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Ngāti Hine Health Trust and has built a career spanning frontline healthcare, clinical leadership, tertiary education and professional training. 

As a registered nurse, critical and extended care paramedic, Tony brings a strong understanding in governance, professional standards, competency frameworks and workforce capability development. 

Tony has held senior academic and leadership roles in health professional education, including leading paramedicine and perioperative practice programmes at Auckland University of Technology. 

His work has focused on developing high-quality professional education pathways, supporting curriculum innovation, and preparing practitioners for complex and evolving healthcare environments. He has also taught extensively at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with interests in clinical practice, critical care, adult learning and professional competence. 

In 2025, Tony was appointed as a health practitioner member of the Nursing Council of New Zealand, the statutory body responsible for regulating the nursing profession and ensuring nurses are competent and fit to practise. 

Through his experience in professional regulation, education and workforce development, he brings valuable insights into professional standards, competency expectations and lifelong learning. His cross-sector perspective on practitioner preparation, assessment and professional accountability makes him a valuable member of the EAG.