Dr Kevin ShoreCEO
Kevin works with Proprietors of schools and diocesan bodies to ensure their interests are represented to the government and education sector agencies. Before joining NZCEO in 2020 Kevin was the Principal of St Peter’s College, Palmerston North, and prior to that was Principal of Cullinane College, Whanganui. He has a Doctorate of Education, a Masters in Educational Administration, a Post Graduate Diploma in Technology Education; and an NZ Civil Engineering Certificate (from a previous life!). His leadership has been in both state and state integrated schools over the past 25 years.

Contact details:

027 925 5233

k.shore@nzceo.org.nz

Rosalie ConnorsManager Special Character

NZCEO welcomed Rosalie Connors as the Manager, Special Character in 15 January 2020. Rosalie comes with excellent Catholic education teaching and leadership experience, having worked in Catholic primary and secondary schools, and at diocesan level.  Her most recent experience has been with the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa and prior to that as the Review and Development Advisor for the Diocese of Palmerston North.

Rosalie has worked at a national level on the revision of the Catholic Special Character Review document and the Catholic School Elaborations: Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Rosalie has a Masters in Religious Education and is currently completing an education doctorate with a focus on faith leadership in Catholic schools, both with the Australian Catholic University.

Contact details:

021 290 0118

r.connors@nzceo.org.nz

Heather Richardson, Bmath, CPA, CAChief Financial Officer
Heather joined NZCEO in 2016. She manages the strategic financial planning and financial administration for the Office and NZCEO Finance Ltd, including the National Attendance Dues and Capital Indebtedness Sharing Scheme and the Catholic Education Trust Fund. Heather has over twenty years experience in financial reporting and assurance including as a senior audit manager for Deloitte NZ, and as financial controller for a large Canadian public company.

Contact details:

04 496 1797

h.richardson@nzceo.org.nz

Karen RaittDeputy CEO, Manager, Operations, Governance
Karen Raitt is Deputy CEO of APIS and NZCEO, leading operations and governance, reporting to the NZCEO Board and APIS Executive. Karen oversees key relationships and processes with the Ministry of Education, including maximum roll increases, site plan updates, and changes to integration agreements, and played a central role in allocating $52.8 million in EPMP funding, with responsibility for risk, and accountability. She is an experienced project and business process manager, overseeing all major work programmes. She brings strong school governance experience, including seven years with the New Zealand School Trustees Association supporting boards and good governance practice, alongside a broad perspective on integrated schooling informed by her work with APIS and her experience as a Montessori primary school parent. Karen is an experienced director with over 18 years’ governance across education, sport, and the arts, and is an Independent Director of Rowing New Zealand, an Independent Director of the NZ Amateur Sport Association, and a board member of an independent school.

Contact details:

04 496 1763

k.raitt@nzceo.org.nz

Yvonne Campion-SmithExecutive Assistant and MoE Property Liaison
Yvonne joined us in May 2025 and has extensive experience as a senior administrator from a background working in the engineering and architectural consulting/contracting field. Yvonne’s role is providing executive administration support to the team, including minute taking for our board and APIS meetings and being responsible for the administration of supplementary agreements and maximum roll increases. Yvonne also maintains our network database and co-ordinates the production of publications and mailouts.

Contact details:

04 496 1729

yvonne@nzceo.org.nz

Jerry SparksAdministrator
Jerry joined NZCEO in June 2020. He looks after our social media account and produces Lighting New Fires, NZCEO’s monthly newsletter. He provides administrative support to NZCEO managers around event planning, website maintenance, and NZCEO Board meetings. He supports the CFO in financial administration.

Contact details:

04 496 1739

jerry@nzceo.org.nz