Owairoa Primary’s longest-serving principal and a decades-long Zonta stalwart recognised in King’s Birthday list
When Alan McIntyre became principal of Owairoa Primary School in 1990, the roll stood at 251 students.
It has since grown to 1,050 at its peak, and McIntyre has now been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said McIntyre’s career spanned more than 50 years delivering primary education.
“Education is the great equaliser, and I am pleased to highlight just some of the people across the country who exemplify its importance and impact,” Stanford said.
McIntyre’s official citation describes him as one of New Zealand’s longest-serving principals.
He pioneered international student programmes at the primary level, including a teaching exchange and a sister-school relationship with Chaotian Primary School in Guangzhou, established in 2015.
He also introduced the Digital Dream Lab, a classroom where pupils learn through 3D printing, virtual reality, drones and robotics, and the Super Start programme, which introduces children to the school before they turn five.
Barbara Astill, also recognised in this year’s honours list, has been a member of the Zonta Club of East Auckland since 1993 and has served multiple terms as president.
Astill received the King’s Service Medal for services to women, the community and governance.
She has led the club’s New Horizons for Women Trust scholarships, which provide what her citation calls “second chance” education for women overcoming hardship to study or retrain.
Astill has also held board roles at Radio New Zealand, Trust Bank New Zealand and Counties Manukau Netball, and chaired Totara Hospice South Auckland from 2016 to 2020.
She has been a Justice of the Peace since 2018.
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Full citations:
MCINTYRE, Mr Alan Stuart, JP
To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For services to education.
Mr Alan McIntyre has contributed to primary education for more than 50 years and has been Principal of Owairoa Primary School since 1990.
As one of New Zealand’s longest-serving principals, Mr McIntyre oversaw Owairoa School’s roll increasing from 251 students to 1,050 at its peak. He was an early pioneer of international student programmes at the primary level, which fostered global education partnerships for his school and other schools internationally. He implemented an international teaching exchange programme and created a sister school relationship with Chaotian Primary School in Guangzhou in 2015 to further increase Owairoa School’s global awareness. He introduced modern educational initiatives, including the Digital Dream Lab classroom, where students learn science and technology through 3D printing, VR headsets, drones, and robotics. He implemented the ‘Super Start’ programme to introduce children to the school prior to their fifth birthday, to help them settle more quickly into school life. He is a mentor and advisor to fellow principals and was an active member of the Te Ara Bucklands Beach Kāhui Ako (Community of Learning). He represented New Zealand’s education sector in a trilateral school partnership between Guangzhou, Los Angeles and Auckland. Mr McIntyre has been a Justice of the Peace for more than 35 years and served a three-year term as Manukau City Councillor.
ASTILL, Mrs Barbara Kay, JP
The King’s Service Medal
For services to women, the community and governance.
Mrs Barbara Astill has contributed voluntary service to community leadership, education and women’s advancement, drawing on her professional skills as a chartered accountant.
Mrs Astill held a range of Board roles in several New Zealand companies including Radio New Zealand, Trust Bank New Zealand, and Counties Manukau Netball. She has been a member of the Zonta Club of East Auckland since 1993, serving multiple terms as President. She has led the Club to deliver several initiatives supporting women’s education, safety and leadership. Most notably this has included the New Horizons for Women Trust scholarships, which provide ‘second chance’ education opportunities for women overcoming hardship to pursue tertiary education or retrain for employment. She has held national governance roles with Zonta New Zealand. She has chaired Tōtara Hospice South Auckland from 2016 to 2020, providing oversight during a period of growth and change in community palliative care services. She has been a Justice of the Peace since 2018. Mrs Astill was involved with the ACT Party establishment in 1994, remaining involved until 2014 with Board roles including time as Acting President.
