Angela Hodgkinson
Angela I am thrilled to present this year’s president’s award to you. I have loved our conversations around drama and you are always supportive of kaiako and their students. You understand the complexities of the drama space and are always endeavouring to create equitable teaching and learning around assessments. Your PLD is always informative, practical and professional. Kia kaha Angela and congratulations.
- President Annette Thomson
Personal responses:
““No one else in Aotearoa has seen so many clips of NCEA and Unit Standard drama performances from around the motu. No one else is so experienced and fair in holding judgements about teacher assessments of senior drama students’ work. Angela is a stalwart of NZQA’s system. However, she has not succumbed to its rigidity, by clearly advocating for change when needed, and by managing to honour originality, commitment and pleasure in what drama students achieve, despite group work hassles - and the time constraints of school interruptions to classroom practice. Thank you, Angela, for your approachable charm as a consistent human presence within NZQA. You have stayed true to honouring criteria and the work of both drama students and teachers - over decades! This is a formidable achievement. You are so deserving of the President’s Award 2026! Congratulations, Angela!” ~Hilari Anderson”
“I first met this incredible woman a few years ago at the Drama Australia Conference, and I’ve been inspired by her ever since. She is a poet, academic, mother, nana, and friend—a truly multifaceted force. Her deep empathy, keen attention to detail, and outstanding presentation skills make her a standout in any room. As a scholar, she brings both rigour and heart to her work, and as a person, she radiates warmth, wisdom, and generosity.
At both Whakaari Aotearoa Drama NZ and Drama Australia conferences, her presentations are nothing short of exceptional. She captivates her audience with a dynamic presence and content that is both intellectually rich and deeply human. Her ability to connect with people, provoke thought, and share knowledge in such an engaging way is a testament to her skill as both a communicator and a creative academic.
She serves as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Waikato and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theatre and Education. Her doctoral research delves into how drama education can foster a sense of belonging within ensembles, highlighting her commitment to creating inclusive and empathetic learning environments. Beyond academia, her poetry has been publicly showcased across Aotearoa, reflecting her creative prowess and dedication to the arts. I’m proud to call her my friend, she is a truly special human being and very deserving of this award.”
“It is a true pleasure to acknowledge Angela Hodgkinson and her contribution to Drama education in Aotearoa New Zealand. For many years, Angela has served as a Drama moderator at NZQA, bringing not only deep expertise but also a genuine warmth and care for students that sits at the heart of all she does. She approaches her work with generosity and integrity, always willing to listen, to unpack complex ideas, and to offer guidance that is both clear and constructive. Her advice is thoughtful and firm, yet always empowering, helping teachers move forward with confidence and clarity. Angela has been a steadfast champion of Drama as a subject and an unwavering supporter of our community of teachers. Her advocacy has strengthened the place of Drama in our schools. On a personal note, I have deeply valued Angela’s collegiality and friendship across the different roles I have held throughout my career. Her support, insight, and kindness have made a lasting impression. Angela’s dedication, leadership, and generosity of spirit make her a truly deserving recipient of this President’s Award. Her recognition by Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand is both fitting and richly deserved.”
“Angela is a dear old friend who I knew when I was at teacher’s college in Wellington and we performed The Web in the Wellington Fringe Festival! What strikes me most about Angela is her tenacity - what a wonderful role model for wāhine - never give up - you CAN achieve your dreams. In the education realm, Angela will always advocate for the underprivileged to have equal access to opportunities. Angela’s non-judgemental outlook on people promotes inclusivity with multiple communication methods being championed through the Arts. Angela embraces respectful disagreements at high levels to advocate for people who otherwise struggle to be heard. The positive knock on effects of Angela’s mahi are infinite as she opens so many doors by affirming unique points of view. Always operating from a place of aroha, Angela radiates a gorgeous an infectious energy, encapsulated in her cheeky ‘yes we can’, sparkly smile!!”
“Angela has been fully supportive of drama teachers over the time I have been a teacher. From running informative, focused, and practical Best Practice Workshops to encouraging teachers to ask questions of her, and engage in discussion regarding gnarly decisions about marking. She has championed diversity and exploration of Te Ao Māori and Pacific Peoples’ work, and reached out to applaud and exemplify good practice in teaching and learning. She has a commitment to NZ Theatre and theatremakers. Working alongside her as moderator, I have seen how focused she is on equity and inclusion, fighting for assessments that enable all students to achieve. She is a skilled communicator and works hard to build a common understanding so that teachers and moderators see through the same lens. We have been lucky to have Angela fighting for Drama as a subject, and for equitable ways of assessing drama. She is a straight talker, focused, and hardworking, and she well deserves this accolade.”
“Angela has been a beacon of light in what can sometimes feel like very stormy waters. From the outset, Ang has worked to shift moderation away from being something punitive and towards something that is genuinely supportive. She understands that showing your classroom practice can feel exposing, and she has consistently led with empathy to reduce the anxiety and stress that so often comes with it. Her knowledge is vast, but it is her way with people that is her real power. Ang leads with kindness, humour, and a deep respect for the humans at the centre of the work. She knows her stuff, absolutely, but she also knows when she does not know everything, and that honesty has only strengthened the trust people have in her. There is not a drama teacher who has worked with Ang who does not speak of her with huge respect and gratitude. Her generosity of time and spirit is unmatched, and she has supported more of us than she will probably ever realise. She has made the whole system feel more human, more manageable, and a lot less scary. She really is the best.”