The association that helps school trustees has declined to investigate a complaint against its Northland adviser. In early November, the New Zealand Principals Federation sent a complaint to the New Zealand School Trustees Association about Eric Woodward, the region's industrial relations adviser. One of the concerns raised was that Mr Woodward was acting informally when he could be following formal processes.

However, the trustees association said it had full confidence in Mr Woodward and would not be investigating because the complaint was not specific enough. Principals federation president Denise Torrey said Mr Woodward was involved in 71 per cent of all the serious matters dealt with by the federation throughout New Zealand.

But school trustees association president Lorraine Kerr said she had full confidence in him. His role involved advising school boards of trustees and principals, including disciplinary inquiries and dismissals affecting school staff.

"NZSTA is very concerned that its Northland adviser is clearly being unfairly targeted for doing his job," Ms Kerr said. "Our Northland industrial relations adviser [Mr Woodward] has experienced a very high workload, and with a disproportionate number of complaints/concerns regarding principals."

At the time of the complaint the association was made aware of concerns from a federation member and member of the Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association. Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association president Pat Newman said he had been aware of the issue for at least two years.

- Northern Advocate

By Jessica Roden