Primary School Principal

Taupo School; Waikato; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Taupō Primary School invites applications for a Principal to lead teaching and learning across primary and intermediate settings (Years 1–8), in a kura tuatahi setting.

You will build culturally responsive relationships with the school community, promote Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ensure strong governance, finances, and safety. The successful applicant will commence on 27 January 2027 and guide a school with ~480 students.

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced Principal with a passion for leading teaching and learning in a primary/intermediate setting.
• Innovative, strategic, forward-thinking approach to curriculum development.

Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning across primary and intermediate settings (Years 1–8).
• Build positive, culturally responsive relationships with staff, students, and whānau.
• Promote Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all school practices and governance.
• Manage finances, property, health & safety, and essential systems.
• Provide calm, steady leadership in challenging situations and support ongoing professional growth.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Relationship building

Cultural responsiveness

Job description

Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi, Principal
English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts

Taupō Primary School is the oldest school in Taupō and has been a proud part of the community since 1894, providing innovative and engaging learning opportunities for approximately 480 students in Years 1 to 6.

At Taupō Primary School, our vision is simple — we want to Hook Students On Learning . We believe that when children are genuinely engaged, curious, and connected to their learning, they flourish. Our job is to create the conditions where that happens every single day. Everything we do is guided by four core values: Aroha, Manaakitanga, Kōtahitanga, and Whānaungatanga.

We are proud of the warm, inclusive environment our staff, students, and whānau have built together. Our teachers set high expectations and support learners to progress and succeed — academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally. Te reo Māori and Tūwharetoa te ao Māori are woven meaningfully throughout our curriculum, ensuring all students develop a strong sense of identity and place in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We would like our new Principal to:

• be an experienced Principal with a passion and commitment to leading teaching and learning in a primary school setting
• be innovative, strategic, forward thinking and focused on ensuring high quality learning opportunities through the ongoing development and implementation of an engaging curriculum
• be visible and present, building positive, culturally responsive relationships, with all members of the school community
• actively promote, model and enact the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• motivate staff and students through a learning focused culture of collaboration, trust, respect and effective communication
• model and have evidence of ongoing professional growth
• be up to date with educational thinking and legislative requirements
• develop and sustain positive working relationships with local schools, educational agencies and networks
• ensure effective systems for finance, property, health & safety
• provide calm and steadying leadership in challenging situations.

Ideally the successful applicant will commence on 27 January, 2027.

Physical address:
99 Tamamutu Street, Taupo

Postal Address:
99 Tamamutu Street, Taupo, 3330