Our people

What we do

Meet our leadership team

Our Governing Council is supported by an organisation of about 100 employees led by a chief executive and leadership team.

Get to know our executive team.

Tom Gott | Interim Chief Executive

Tamahau Te Rau, Pou Kaiāwhā | Deputy Chief Executive

As Deputy Chief Executive (Whanganui, Taranaki Whānui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa), I’m honoured to help lead the Teaching Council in our journey as a Te Tiriti-led and values-based organisation.

Before joining the Council, my path was one of service - to my people as an iwi education leader, to culture as an advisor, to knowledge as a lecturer in Wānanga and universities, to wellbeing as a health worker, and most importantly, to education as a teacher. I’ve walked alongside learners in kōhanga reo, primary, kura kaupapa, and secondary schools, and those experiences continue to shape everything I do.

Each step has deepened my belief in the power of education, the strength of our heritage, and the responsibility we carry for the generations to come. I see teachers as the heart of our communities, trusted, skilled, and deeply committed, and I’m here to support and uplift the profession so that every kaiako feels valued and empowered.

Clive Jones , Pou Kaiāwhā | Deputy Chief Executive

As Deputy Chief Executive at the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, I am privileged to work alongside teachers, principals, and leaders across the motu to help strengthen the mana of teaching - so teachers can change lives. Every day, I see the expertise, care, and commitment that kaiako bring to their work, and I am driven by the Council’s purpose to support and uplift the profession.

My background spans over two decades in education and public service, including senior roles in higher education and at Education New Zealand. I have led teams through change, advocated for the profession, and worked to ensure our systems and standards reflect the realities of teaching today. At the Council, I focus on delivering services that are responsive, fair, and grounded in our values - whakamana, manaakitanga, pono, and whanaungatanga. I am committed to listening to the profession, building trust, and ensuring our mahi honours the vital role teachers play in shaping lives and communities.

I believe that when we work together - teachers, leaders, and the Council – we can create the conditions for every learner to thrive. My goal is to help ensure the profession is valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference, every day.

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