Unitec Institute of Technology

New Zealand Action Research and Review Centre

The New Zealand Action Research and Review Centre (NZARRC) at Unitec is involved in a vast range of research and consultancy in the areas of action research and review, including appraisal and evaluation.

The NZARRC facilitates a number of courses on action research, educational leadership and aspects of management, both nationally and internationally. Some of these workshops may also be credited towards the Master of Education or the Graduate Certificate in Educational Middle Management at Unitec.

Staff at the centre are regularly contracted as consultant researchers for many projects including the national BRANZ learning styles action research approach, the evaluation of the special education professional development contract and board training (in association with the Multi Serve Education Trust).

The NZARRC has developed an action research model for appraisal review that is designed to go beyond a quick-fix approach and establish a process that leads to deep and sustained improvement.  To achieve this, an expert facilitator engages a review group within the school to follow the action research steps for improvement to their appraisal system.

The centre is also involved in a year-long certification programme for appraisers of principals that is partially funded by the Ministry of Education. To date, staff of the NZARRC have facilitated over 100 principal appraisals, using an approach that combines an emphasis on both development and accountability.

The NZARRC holds Ministry of Education contracts in evaluation of professional development and is jointly contracted with the Multi Serve Education Trust as process adviser and evaluator of the Board of Trustee Training in Auckland and Northland.

If you want to find out any more about the NZARRC, please contact:
Associate Professor Eileen Piggot-Irvine
Director
Email: epiggotirvine@unitec.ac.nz