Principal - Tumuaki

Cromwell College; Otago; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Cromwell College in Central Otago seeks a dynamic Tumuaki/Principal to lead a growing state secondary school (Years 7–13). You will collaborate with the Board to set strategic direction, strengthen student engagement, achievement and wellbeing, and drive inclusive, culturally responsive practice across the community.

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience in a secondary or composite school, oversee staffing and facilities growth, and provide strong financial

Qualifications

• Substantial senior leadership experience in a secondary or composite school.
• Ability to lead growth with scalable systems and delegation.
• Strong financial, property and capital leadership.
• Visible, approachable leadership that builds trust across the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, educational and operational leadership across Cromwell College in partnership with the Board.
• Shape the school's direction and foster an inclusive learning community.
• Lead planning for growth: staffing, structures and facilities to scale the school.
• Strengthen culturally responsive practice, including engagement with Te Ao Māori and te reo Māori.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Financial management

Te Ao Māori engagement

Education

NZ Teaching Council practising certificate

Job description

Secondary (Years 7–15) / wharekura, Principal
English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts

• Lead Cromwell College through an exciting era of growth.
• Genuine engagement with Te Ao Māori and a vibrant, diverse community.
• Based in Cromwell, Central Otago — lakeside, mountains on your doorstep.

Cromwell College is a state secondary school for Years 7–13, with a roll of around 691 students growing towards 1,000. Its motto, Whāia te taumata - pursue the highest peaks - reflects a culture built on Manaaki, Māia and Rawe: respect, courage and personal excellence.

Based in Central Otago, the school offers a broad, holistic education — academic, vocational and outdoor — within a close-knit, increasingly diverse community.

As Principal | Tumuaki, you will provide strategic, educational and operational leadership across Cromwell College, working in partnership with the Board to shape the school's direction. You will lead an inclusive learning community that lifts student engagement, achievement and wellbeing, while strengthening culturally responsive practice.

The school is in an exciting growth phase, and you will lead the planning this requires - staffing, structures and facilities - building a school that thrives at scale.

The Board is seeking a Tumuaki who:

• has substantial senior leadership experience in a secondary or composite school
• has led an organisation through sustained growth, building the systems and delegation to make it work at scale
• brings strong financial, property and capital leadership
• sets clear expectations and holds people to account, fairly and consistently
• is visible, approachable and warm, with the presence to build trust across the community
• genuinely engaged with Te Ao Māori, te reo Māori, and a growing multicultural community
• holds a current NZ Teaching Council practising certificate.