Fellows of NZEALS (FNZEALS)

Dr Richard Smith was awarded the 2010 NZEALS Fellowship at the NZEALS Conference in Christchurch

1. Service to NZEALS
   
   Richard joined NZEALS in 2000 and served on the Auckland NZEALS branch Executive committee from 2004 – 2006. He has been a Member at Large on the NZEALS National Council since 2004.
   
   He has been the editor of Leading Lights since 2005 and relinquished this role at the end of 2009.  Leading Lights has flourished under his editorship as an important means of communication and information for members of the Society.  Richard has been on the Editorial Board of the Association’s Journal and its unofficial book reviews’ editor since 2003.  In 2008 he took up the role of Associate Editor of The Journal of Educational Leadership, Policy and Practice.
   
   His strong commitment to the Society is further demonstrated by the fact that Richard has presented papers at each of the NZEALS Conferences since 2002.
   
   Richard has been profoundly loyal to the organisation and this has been shown in his willingness to step into roles and gaps when they have arisen.  His editorialship of Leading Lights was an example of this.  In quite a different context, his willingness to bravely address leadership concerns in the organisation several years ago is another example.  In the latter context he showed exceptional professionalism, honesty, and a level-headed approach in a difficult situation.  Richard has always had the organisation’s best interests as his only concern and his own needs have often been placed second to that.  He has promoted and supported NZEALS in an extensive way. This has included working to develop international links with Singapore and Hong Kong.
   
   On National Council particularly, Richard could always be relied upon to complete a job well.  He has never sought the limelight but always worked hard in the background.  Much of the work he has done has been unseen and therefore unrecognised.  It is timely for this to be addressed with recognition through a Fellowship.
   
   
2. Contribution to the development of quality educational leadership and administration in New Zealand and/or internationally; and
3. Contribution in theory, practice, and/or leadership in her/his profession.
   
   Richard has had senior positions in educational leadership and administration teaching at both Unitec and AUT and now holds an international assistant professorship.  He has worked in the New Zealand context closely with educational leaders in both  teaching and supervision.  This work has been responsible for shifts in his students that have, in turn, impacted upon the quality of education in NZ.
     
   Richard has extensive experience in postgraduate level teaching of senior leaders in school, early childhood and tertiary sectors. He has also both supervised and examined at this level. He is passionate about teaching and research and this is demonstrated in his enthusiasm and commitment. Richard is a thorough professional in whichever role he undertakes.
   There is no doubt that Richard’s writing (for example in Leading Lights) has influenced the thinking of educators.  His thoughtful reviews have provided inspiration and ideas for readers. He has published widely in national and international journals. In this respect, Richard has contributed significantly to the theory, practice and leadership of education.  His ability to lead and critique was particularly clear in the way he analysed the PBRF system in tertiary education. 
   
   Over and above the examples provided above, Richard is an outstanding colleague.  He has drawn around him a strong educational leadership community in New Zealand and has facilitated networking in a way which is quite rare in the current competitive