National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Nominations Are Open
For three decades, the NEiTA Foundation has awarded professional grants and prizes to New Zealand and Australia’s best educators. It’s the longest-standing community-driven awards program dedicated to recognising teaching excellence in Australia and New Zealand.
How You Can Nominate Exceptional Educators
The Foundation encourages parents, students, principals, and schools to identify and nominate exceptional teachers who have displayed extraordinary enthusiasm, commitment, and creativity for a prestigious National Excellence in Teaching Award.
NEiTA’s Impact on Education
Supported by Futurity Investment Group, the NEiTA has recognised more than 1,110 exceptional educators in both New Zealand and Australia and gifted more than $1.4m in professional development grants and prizes.
Celebrating Excellence in Education
NEiTA Foundation Chair, Catherine O’Sullivan, said the 2025 awards will recognise educators and school leaders who embody excellence. “NEiTA nominees are inspirational, talented, committed, and engaging teachers who are dedicated to their students, schools, and the community.
“Teachers and principals show our children what is possible. They inspire both from within and outside the classroom. A NEiTA nomination is the perfect way for parents and students to reward teacher quality and to recognise inspirational educators, teachers, and school principals.”
Last Year’s Apple Award Winner Reflects on the Importance of Recognition
Maria Kroonenberg, the whānau leader senior school, Year 6 leader, and English curriculum leader at Three Kings School in Auckland, won an Apple Award at last year’s gala event.
“A National Excellence in Teaching Award means a lot,” Mrs Kroonenberg said. “Teaching is undervalued, but NEiTA Foundation clearly values what I do and values what my team does.
“My National Excellence in Teaching Award celebrated all of the educators at my school. It raised everybody up. The best thing you can do is nominate a brilliant educator for a National Excellence in Teaching Award. Even if they don’t win, just being recognised is a celebration.”
Key Award Categories and Deadlines
Nominations are open until 27 June 2025. To name two, the Apple Award recognises Australian and New Zealand primary and secondary teachers who exceed expectations, with the winners receiving a $5,000 professional development grant. The Leadership Award honours outstanding leadership by a principal or school leader, awarding a $10,000 grant for advancing educational excellence. For more information, visit www.neita.com.
