Professor Reynold Macpherson

Reynold Macpherson

Retired researcher, consultant and capacity builder in organizations.
Family historian to the Sinclair Macphersons.

Professor Reynold Macpherson

Reynold Macpherson

Retired researcher, consultant and capacity builder in organizations.
Family historian to the Sinclair Macphersons.

Download CV

About Me

Kia ora. Welcome. This website provides quick access to my academic, family and political research. Questions and feedback are welcome. Please contact me by email at reynold@reynoldmacpherson.ac.nz for confidential exchanges. Thanks.

I was born in Kaitaia in the Far North of New Zealand. My family is linked to Ngai Takoto and Te Rarawa. I was educated at Kaitaia College, trained as a primary school teacher and taught three years in Northland. I enlisted in 3RNZIR and then volunteered for National Service. I then went overseas to graduate in and teach mathematics. I helped lead large schools. I ended 12 years part-time service as Major, OC Sp Coy 10(V) Para, after serving with 1 Para on UN duty in Cyprus.

I spent 15 years in Australia doing my masters and PhD by research into leadership, teaching and leading research projects and programs before returning to New Zealand as a professor at Auckland University. After 5 years there I was invited to Rotorua to “turn round” the Waiariki Institute of Technology as CEO. My next challenge was to establish a new university in Abu Dhabi as Foundation Chancellor and CEO. Since then I have offered evaluation and reform consultancies to institutions, large organizations and systems around the world.

For example, I was commissioned to evaluate aid programs in four African countries. I served as Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University to help reform the Educational Leadership program. I was invited to conduct a National Review of the Preparation and Succession of Educational Leaders in New Zealand. I was embedded in the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education in Timor Leste to advise on capacity building.

From 2009-2019 I helped guide the School-based Integrated Health Centres Project in Cornwall with evaluations. The project was designed to monitor the impact of integrating in-school health centres on the mental, sexual and physical health and well being of students and their academic achievements. The results have led to seven SBIHCs being developed.

Clicking on Publications will take you to the abstracts and pdf versions of research papers published in the last decade. The theme of my publications is “educative leadership”. My full CV is available above.

My Family History research has been accumulating over decades. Having traveled extensively, visited relatives, scanned photographs, analysed documents and searched online, I plan to post chapters, as time permits, to tell our family story as I understand it. Family members are warmly invited to contribute and should expect the chapters to be revised as more information comes to light. Thank you.

From 2014 I helped lead the Rotorua District Pro-Democracy Society and the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers (RDRR) with a view to restoring democracy, the rule of law, financial prudence, and power to elected members on the Rotorua District Council. Current political issues are still being debated at my personal Facebook page. An account of RDRR’s campaigns is available in my book Still Approaching my Prime: An Autobiography. Since 2024 I have switched my attention back to moral philosophy related to educative leadership with 22 articles published, a book entitled AI and the Educative Leader in press with Palgrave Macmillan, and another three in the pipeline. There will be time enough to rest when I am dead. Inquiries by email please to reynold@reynoldmacpherson.ac.nz

Special thanks to Ewan Macpherson who designed and maintains this website.

Recent Publications

Educative Leadership as a Moral Craft
Macpherson, R.J.S. () — New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies
Journal Article
Te Arawa 2050: Who Decides, Who Pays, and Who Is Accountable?
Macpherson, Reynold () — Breaking News Blog
Review / Blog
AI and the Educative Leader: Ethics, Governance, and Moral Praxis in the Digital Age
Macpherson, R.J.S. () — Palgrave Macmillan
Book
Rethinking Ethics in Educative Leadership: Towards a Non-Foundational Epistemology for Western Leadership Theories
Macpherson, R.J.S. () — International Journal of Educational Administration and Leadership: Theory and Practice
Journal Article
Letter to Minister of Local Government 4 Feb: Request for Ministerial Advice on Rotorua Lakes Council's Co-Governance Initiatives
Macpherson, Reynold () — Breaking News Blog
Review / Blog