Welcome to Governance & Management Solutions. We provide governance training and support, appraisal and leadership coaching, support with senior leadership appointments, leadership training and help with strategic planning. We work with schools and in the NGO sector.
See our pages below for more information.
Enhance your school or organisation's performance with our expert appraisal services. Appraisal is a critical part of leadership development while also providing assurance for boards and line managers that the organisation is being well led. With a background in human resources and leadership, Dave has spent the past fifteen years working with principals, senior leaders and managers providing coaching and engaging in challenging conversations. The appraisal process is founded on forming a positive and constructive relationship and is strengths based. We provide thorough and constructive feedback to support the professional growth of your principal and senior leadership teams. We provide comprehensive appraisal documents at the end of each appraisal cycle that support leadership development as well as providing guidance for the next steps in professional growth.
Appointing the right person to lead your school or organisation is the most critical role facing boards and you need a consultant who can provide the right level of support and guidance so they can make the right decision. My background in human resources and years observing school leadership has given me the skills you need to make the best appointment for your organisation. We handle every step of the process to ensure you find the perfect fit.
Unlock the potential of your leaders. Coaching and mentoring is still underutilised in organisations and schools. We live in an increasingly complex world and what worked twenty years ago may not work now. Employees have increasingly diverse needs and expectations, while pressures on leadership come from every direction. It is important leaders can talk through issues that are causing them concern. My background in policing, social work, youth development, mental health, governance and various senior leadership roles provides me with the depth and breadth of experience that can support you and your staff. I provide the support and guidance needed to excel.
The need for leadership development is everpresent. Whether it be first time leaders looking for the basics in leading others, or experienced leaders looking to advance their skills, effective leadership is the only way to progress your organisation. Equip your team with the skills they need through our dynamic leadership training sessions. We offer practical strategies for effective leadership.
Sound governance is at the cornerstone of effective school functioning. Get it right and the school and and its principal have a clear direction and boundaries in which to lead the school. The community demands no less. Get it wrong and government intervention looms. No one wants that. Dave has years of experience as a board member and presiding member at a primary school, board member of a high school, eleven years on the board of a large early childhood provider, and on a NGO to call on, in addition to membership of the Institute of Directors. He has provided training on behalf of the New Zealand Boards Association in addition to that offered directly to schools. He has the experience and qualifications you need to help develop your board.
"Tamaki College has been privileged to work with Dave White of Governance & Management Solutions over the last several years. During this time, Dave has been the appraiser of our six-member Senior Leadership Team. As well as performance appraisal, this process has involved mentoring and coaching which all members have found to be highly beneficial.
Dave brings a myriad of qualities to his work. He is a sounding board par excellence, and facilitates deeper reflection by team members' on their processional practice through the promotion of open and honest discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement".
Soana Pamaka, Principal, Tamaki College, Auckland
"One of the most important jobs of a Board of Trustees is supporting the Principal and when the time comes, appointing a new Principal. When we had to appoint a new Principal, David managed the process. He worked with us to ensure we had all of our documentation, advised us through the recruitment process, and sat on our panel. It's an incredibly important decision and having David's experience and knowledge to support making the right selection was invaluable".
Heather Geddes, Presiding Member, Gleniti School, Timaru
"Dave is a star. For a small organisation that requires both governance and management support, I can't recommend him highly enough. He has provided us with both strategic and business support as well as a wide range of support in many aspects of our organisation. Instead of having to go to a numebr of different places for a wide range of support, I can rely on Dave in almost all areas. He knows me, my team and our organisation which saves us having to start from scratch"
Hilary Karaitiana, Number Twelve, Te Kuiti
Throughout my long career, possibly one thing has stood out above all others - the willingness of managers to allow poor performance to go on too long. Sometimes it is not the work performance but the toxicity that is the problem. The reasons for allowing it to continue are numerous.
At one point in my career I was working in the health sector and my boss was a former psychiatric nurse. The previous couple of years had been tought. I had gone through some serious cancer treatment, been through redundancy process, sold my house and moved towns, and my father-in-law had died suddenly in front of me. I hadn't been feeling right and thought I should inform her. She didn't say much, and I ultimately didn't need time off, just some medication to right the ship. A few months later I applied for a promotion and missed out. It turned out she told one of her line managers that "He is mad". Lesson learned. Even the health sector is not immune from those that are judgemental about mental health. If you want to confide in someone about personal issues, be very sure that information will not be used against you at a later stage. A very discrete colleague or someone external of the organisation is always best. We all have a tipping point with our mental health. Do you know your early warning signs that you are becoming overly stressed?
Without doubt, the past few years have been the most challenging for any principal. COVID, floods, violence, challenging student and parent behaviours, difficulties with recruitment and coping with the relentless changes implemented by the MoE have been overwhelming for many. NZCER research published in 2025 found principals facing high stress and burnout, driven by excessive workloads. 40% of principals reported high or extreme high stress levels with many considering leaving the profession. Don't wait until you have reached your tipping point. Trust me I know. Before I left the police, I was unaware of my early warning signs and thought I was fine, until it was too late.
