Education leader receives national honour, new role

Sandy Pasley was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to education.

On April 8, Bishop Steve Lowe announced the appointment of Mrs Pasley as Vicar for Education for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. She takes up the role on July 20.

Mrs Pasley said she is “looking forward to working with Bishop Steve and colleagues across the Diocese to continue strengthening our excellent Catholic education system, which supports young people to grow in faith and lead positive, fulfilled lives as active contributors to our community”.

The current Vicar for Education, Catherine Ryan, will continue in the role until Mrs Pasley starts in the position, and will be assistant to the vicar until the end of 2026, to assist with the transition.

Mrs Pasley is a leader in secondary education, with more than 20 years’ experience as principal during her 40-year career.

She retired as principal of Baradene College in 2025, a role she held from 2011. Under her leadership, Baradene saw a significant improvement across all results, and is now within the top 10 schools in New Zealand, with close to 100 per cent achievement in NCEA.

She was the first lay principal at St Mary’s College in Auckland from 2002 to 2011, also lifting academic achievement during her leadership there.

Throughout her career, she has volunteered her time and expertise to various boards and advisory panels.

A long-time executive of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand, in 2015 she was the first female president to be elected and became a life member in 2017.

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Facebook (Office of the Governor-General)

New Year Honours List 2026 – Citations for Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DPMC)

Facebook (Catholic Diocese of Auckland)