Jeff Smith

Principal Advisor

Jeff is a principal advisor for beginning principals in the secondary sector in the Canterbury/Otago/Southland regions. He has had 25 years’ experience in secondary school senior leadership, thirteen of those as principal of Papanui High School in Christchurch.

Jeff has been involved in a range of organisations related to his role as principal including:

  • six years shared lead principal of the Tōtaranui Kāhui Ako

  • member of Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), including 2019 -23 as an Executive Member, the later 2 years as Vice President

  • member of the Executive of Canterbury West Coast Secondary Principals' Association (CWCSPA)

  • director on the Board of Outdoor Education New Zealand (ODENZ).

Jeff has strengths and interest in strategic planning, distributive leadership, developing leadership capability, working collaboratively, and building relational trust.

Jeff is married to Samantha (a teacher) and they have one adult son. He enjoys playing masters touch and is keen on general fitness and the outdoors.