The Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (PSCI Act) of 1975 in New Zealand reinvigorated a Catholic education system, on the verge of financial collapse. This enacted legislation required Catholic authorities to develop and maintain the "Special Character" of the school. Financial or State aid is dependent on each school's ability to do this. The PSCI Act (1975) established the position of Director of Religious Studies (DRS) with a key responsibility to ensure the structural transmission of Special Character. After 40 years the challenges and demands on DRSs to transmit Special Character mean their position needs to be reconceptualized for contemporary leadership.