research and papers – FUTUREMAKERS

Derek’s Blog, launched in 2003, serves as a platform for sharing thoughts and reflections related to his work. It offers over 20 years of searchable posts, categorized by the tags below. Feel free to comment, as your feedback contributes to ongoing reflection and future posts.

Curriculum Digital Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Environmental Open, Distance & Flexible Education Learner Agency Learning Ecosystems Learning Environments New Measures of Success Open, Distance & Flexible Education Pedagogy research and papers

Education Environment Scan 2026

April 30, 2026

About This Report The 2026 Education Environment Scan is the second edition of a resource first published by FutureMakers in 2022. It is designed to help educational leaders, policymakers, and […]

Curriculum Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Pedagogy research and papers

What if the most important skill we’re not teaching is how to think?

March 11, 2026

Last week I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr Rosemary Hipkins – emeritus researcher at NZCER, former science teacher, teacher educator, and one of the sharpest minds I […]

Educational Transformation research and papers

Building System Coherence: Lessons from the Past, Hope for the Future

December 21, 2025

A conversation with Cathy Wylie on what New Zealand education needs to thrive In the latest episode of our “conversations about the future of education” series, I had the privilege […]

Digital Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems research and papers

Making Sense of TALIS 2024: What It Means for NZ Education

December 11, 2025

The latest TALIS country report for New Zealand has just landed, and it’s given me a lot to think about. As someone who’s watched our education system evolve over the […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation research and papers

Patterns of Reform Failure – Thought Piece

March 13, 2025

Over the past week or so I’ve been re-working some of the material in my recent blogs into a Thought Piece that I’ve titled Patterns of Reform Failure. Our education […]

Digital Diary entry Digital Pedagogy News & current events research and papers

Navigating the Impact of Mobile Phone Bans in Schools

July 6, 2024

“On average across OECD countries, students were less likely to report getting distracted using digital devices when the use of cell phones on school premises is banned. (OECD, 2024) Recently I’ve […]

News & current events Open, Distance & Flexible Education research and papers

New Report: The State of Distance Learning In NZ Schools

July 1, 2024

This report is the fruition of our attempts over the past decade to better understand the overall landscape of distance learning in the NZ schools sector Report Introduction, Page 1 […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation research and papers

Improving Quality and Equity in NZ Schools

May 12, 2024

New Zealand has a deep pool of highly talented and motivated teaching individuals, but the system is performing below potential. Introduction: Ensuring the tide lifts all boats (OECD) The New […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learner Agency Open, Distance & Flexible Education Pedagogy research and papers Learning Environments

Science of Learning

February 3, 2024

The science of learning and development (SoLD) refers to the growing body of research from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and other developmental and learning sciences, which tells an optimistic […]

Digital Educational Transformation research and papers

Making sense of the data – PISA22

December 9, 2023

PISA has helped policy makers lower the cost of political action by backing difficult decisions with evidence – but it has also raised the political cost of inaction by exposing […]

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek - to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College

April 30, 2026

March 11, 2026

December 21, 2025

December 11, 2025

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July 6, 2024

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December 9, 2023

What others say

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