Waikato Management School’s (WMS) purpose focuses on empowering people to grow so they can have a positive impact through their lives and on the world.
In support of our purpose we established the WMS Leadership Academy to foster the growth in capability, confidence, and character of ambitious and self-motivated Year 13 students.
Participants come from diverse leadership backgrounds, illustrating our commitment to nurturing leadership potential.
The programme is ideal for students who demonstrate leadership capability, whether through formal or informal roles within their school or community. It includes a first-year UniStart paper, offering an opportunity for students to explore university study while engaging with world-class leadership training.
Students engage with leadership concepts and training and explore how to find their own unique voice and clarify their own values. They will be able to apply these skills in their schools and communities and help others develop as leaders.
The 2025 WMS Leadership Academy - Registrations Open!
The 2025 programme - watch this space! The 2025 Leadership Academy programme will be available to view soon.
Contact us: For more information, please email leadership_academy@waikato.ac.nz
Leadership Academy Video
Watch the video to hear from some of the students and teachers who have taken part.
What does the programme involve?
Gain university credits in Leadership
Students will also complete one of Waikato Management School’s flagship first-year papers – 'Introduction to Leadership'.
Completing the paper means students will already have one paper (15 points credit) if they go on to university. The paper will be delivered as a UniStart paper and will include:
- A lesson based (rather than lecture-based) format with readings available every fortnight.
- A personal-best leadership project. Students select a project that involves starting something new or making changes in how something is being done, or both.
- Students explore leadership theory and their own definitions of leadership, as well as their own insights on themselves as leaders.
Student benefits
Throughout the programme there will be opportunities for leadership development, networking, self-reflection and exposure to influential leaders
By the end of the programme students will:
- Be stronger leaders who are better equipped to make a positive difference in their schools, in their future careers, and for their communities
- Have completed a first-year university paper
- Have connected with other rising leaders from different schools and backgrounds.
Commitment
For eligible domestic students, fees would be covered by the Unistart scholarship so there are no costs for students or your school.
A fee is required for international students, and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
There will be some travel involved, so there might be the need for car-pooling and travel to the locations where the cohorts meet locally, or to our Hamilton campus twice in the year.
The total time commitment for students will be approximately 150 hours. This is made up of the readings, assessments, on campus events, online tutorials and leadership activities that the students will already be involved in through school.
WMS Leadership Academy team
Jamie Fitzgerald – Leadership Academy Facilitator (BCS, University of Waikato)
Jamie is passionate about helping people realise their potential by co-creating an inspiring purpose, effective goal-setting and communication. Jamie is the CEO of his consultancy business, Inspiring Performance. and a Distinguished Alumnus of Waikato Management School. An avid adventurer, he has walked unaided to the South Pole and holds the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. In 2011, Jamie managed the design and delivery of training to 7000+ Rugby World Cup 2011 volunteers.
Hannah Hall - Divisional Manager Students, Waikato Management School
Hannah leads the charge in ensuring students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. With over a decade of experience in the education industry and a real passion for student success, Hannah is committed to making Waikato Management School the place to be for students to thrive and accomplish their goals. She can provide information, guidance and support to help ensure the students' success in the Leadership Academy.
Ros Elliott - Student Engagement Coordinator - Leadership Academy, Waikato Management School
Ros is the first point of contact for students in the Leadership Academy. With decades of experience in secondary and tertiary education, Ros brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her background as a careers advisor has fueled her passion for helping students realise their potential. Ros is dedicated to guiding and supporting students as they navigate their educational and career paths, encouraging them to succeed.
In the media
- 'BOP student leaders get jump start on university' - Sunlive, 21 June 2022
- 'Waikato Management School gives high school students taste of university at Leadership Academy' - NZ Herald, 25 June 2022
- 'Students leading the way to a new life' - Stuff.co.nz, 18 August 2022