Vera Hayward

Vera Annie Hayward (8 March 1902 – 12 November 1999) was a New Zealand teacher. She was one of New Zealand's first visiting teachers, and was the second woman to serve president of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Hayward was instrumental in setting up the New Zealand Kindergarten Teachers' Association, and was active in many community, education and civic organisations. In 1956, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services rendered in connection with educational and women's organisations.

Early life and teaching career Hayward was born in Dunedin on 8 March 1902, the eldest of four children of Annie and William Rowland Hayward, a businessman. She described her parents as very well-read, even though they had not attended secondary school, and they made sure all four of their children graduated university. She started her university degree, a Bachelor of Arts, part-time during her teacher-training, and then took a third year at the University of Otago, graduating in 1925. The scheme was a trial, with two teachers based in Auckland and Hayward in Otago. At the end of the trial, the scheme was made permanent, and Hayward then became one of the country's first visiting teachers. She was also a member of the Brains Trust on Home and Family Problems, through which she proposed pre-marital training in budgeting and other matters that she saw as common difficulties for young couples. Other positions she held include vice-president of the Dunedin United Nations Association, president for ten years of the Dunedin Business and Professional Women's Club, Hayward was a member of the executive of the Free Kindergarten Association, and was instrumental in the setting up of the New Zealand Kindergarten Teachers' Association. Hayward was an advocate for physiotherapy education in her role on the hospital board, and often hosted social events for physiotherapy students at her home. Hayward began hosting afternoon teas for soldiers, especially those with connections to the Dunedin Teachers' College, at her house. These gatherings then turned into events specifically for teachers, and later lunches for retired teachers, and were still continuing several times a year in 2017.

In 1951–1952, Hayward served as vice-president of the New Zealand Educational Institute, and the following year she became only the second woman to be elected president, following Margaret Magill in 1933. During her time as president, Hayward advocated for better working conditions and a fairer promotion scheme for teachers. Her great niece is political scientist Janine Hayward.

Honours and awards Hayward was made Dominion Life President of the kindergarten movement, and a life member of both the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association and the New Zealand Kindergarten Union. In 1953, Hayward received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. In 1971, she received a copy of the vote of thanks awarded to her by the Order of St John for her work.