Mr Ian Poulter, of Kaiapoi, MNZM for services to education
Mr Ian Poulter was founding Principal of Bluestone School in Timaru, setting a national example by adopting the Human Rights in Education framework, championing bilingual education, leading a major redevelopment for safe and inspiring learning spaces, and shaping a te reo Māori and tikanga Maori pathway at the school. He oversaw the construction and governance of the Timaru Technology Education Centre. He played a key role in the establishment of Timaru North and South Kāhui Ako, working as joint Lead Principal to foster collaboration among the schools. Mr Poulter was Principal of Pītau-Allenvale School in Christchurch, a specialist school supporting neurodiverse learners and students with complex needs.