Petone Kindergarten Permanent Full-time Teacher

Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens; Wellington; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens in Wellington is seeking an enthusiastic ECE kaiako to join a supportive, play‑led learning environment. You will work with four teachers to care for up to 40 children and weave te reo Māori and Te Tiriti principles into daily practice.

You will build strong whānau partnerships, contribute to Enviro-schools, and support Pasifika families with a culturally responsive approach.

Qualifications

• Experience in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and weaving te reo Māori into teaching.
• Relational, collaborative approach with strong communication.
• Ability to plan, assess, and engage in internal evaluation.
• Respect for diversity and culture of tamariki and whānau.
• Commitment to sustainability and tamariki-led learning.

Responsibilities

• Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with a team of four teachers to support up to 40 children.
• Plan, assess, and participate in internal evaluation.
• Engage with whānau and community partnerships.
• Contribute to Enviro-schools and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Reo Māori weaving

Relational collaboration

Planning & assessment

Internal evaluation

Education

ECE teaching qualification

Registered teacher

Job description

• Teaching
• Wellington
• Permanent / Full Time

3/11/2026

AtHe Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (WMK), we're proud to support over135 kindergartensacross the regions ofTaranaki, Whanganui, Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Porirua, Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt,Wairarapa andSouth Otago. We also offer a uniquehome-based service, Etu Ao, inPoriruaandLevin, with a special focus onPasific families.

We believe thathigh-quality early childhood educationis a powerful force—for children, their whānau, their communities, and for the future ofAotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be anational leaderin early childhood education, setting the standard and advocating for excellence and access across the country.

At the heart of everything we do are our values:

• Nurturing the mana of the child- Honouring each child's unique identity and potential
• Kounga | Quality- Striving for excellence in every aspect of our services
• Pono | Integrity- Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency
• Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship and sustainability
• Mahi Tahi | Partnership- Working together with whānau and communities

Today, more than6,000 childrenare part of the Whānau Manaaki kindergarten family, with an additional150 childrenenrolled in ourEtu Aohome-based programme. Together, we're building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Community Description:

We are located just moments away from the vibrant Petone community of cafés and beach.Our kindergarten is a warm reflection of the diverse heritage and rich culture of our local community. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do; we value strong whānau partnerships that creates a genuine sense of belonging for all.

We engage in the Enviro-schools programme, we are committed to sustainability and a child-led curriculum that empowers our tamariki to explore and grow. You will be joining a supportive and passionate team of four teachers, caring for up to 40 children who attend for six hours daily. If you value connection, heritage, and a play-led approach to learning, we would love to welcome you to our team!

We are looking for an enthusiastic ECE kaiako who has:

• Strong, experienced practice in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, weaving te reo Māori, tikanga, and care for Papatūānuku into everyday teaching and learning.
• Relational skills that foster a genuinely collaborative environment, using clear communication and strong initiative to guide, empower, and support the teaching team in getting things done.
• A proactive approach to taking shared responsibility for the systems that keep our team organized, including planning, assessment and internal evaluation.
• Deep respect and confidence in celebrating the unique identity, language, culture, and diversity of every tamaiti and whānau.
• A strong understanding of internal evaluation, with proven experience in recognizing the impact of teaching practice and continuously improving learning outcomes for tamariki.

Applications close on:

Tuesday 24th November 2026 at 11.00pm