Abstract The importance of the role of the principal in good schools is acknowledged by many sources. The preparation of new principals is therefore an important factor in ensuring children are educated in good schools. New Zealand does not have a formal system of principal preparation. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of pre-principalship preparation with the aim of discovering those activities and developments that were useful in assisting teachers to make the transition to successful principalship. The research question addressed in this study is,; What are the elements of pre-principalship preparation that are most useful for potential and aspiring principals in furthering their career aims? Using qualitative methodology, a group of people who had attended the Aspiring and Potential Principals' Pilot run by the School of Education at the University of Waikato, were questioned using semi structured interviews about their experiences. Five of the six were holding principal positions, the sixth was in a deputy principal's position and had some relieving principal experience. The results the research generated indicated that while there were varying needs for potential principals because of their varied backgrounds, there were six useful experiences for all identified. These included, attendance at some form of targeted principal preparation programme, a background of ongoing professional learning, developing networks, developing successful mentoring, experience of models of principalship and support of 'family'. Different people had different levels of benefit from these experiences but they were common to all. It is hoped that this research will give assistance to guiding professional development for the potential and aspiring principals of tomorrow.