Captain's mum on new panel

Richie and Margaret McCaw.

Her own boy has done okay - but over a 35-year teaching career, Margaret McCaw has helped in the development of hundreds of other children.

The mother of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will now form part of a judging panel for a new annual initiative that aims to recognise some of New Zealand's 52,000 teachers.

Other judges include teacher and former netball star Bernice Mene and Colonel Paul King, director of leadership at Palmerston North Boys and deputy commander of the 1st NZ Brigade at Linton Army Camp.

The New Zealand's Most Inspiring Teachers campaign, created by Warehouse Stationery, will ask the public to nominate their favourite teachers. More than $40,000 in prizes will be awarded to those who receive the most votes.

Mrs McCaw, a teacher at St Mark's School in Opawa, Christchurch, has taught in primary and intermediate schools for three decades.

"One of the most rewarding aspects to the role is seeing the positive change that occurs when a student grows through education.

"I'm really looking forward to helping to recognise the great work some of my colleagues have been doing."

Mrs McCaw said her more than three decades of teaching experience had been a key factor in her selection as a judge.

"They said that I've been a teacher all these years. I haven't been a full-time teacher, but I've been a part-time teacher all these years."