Principal / Tumuaki

Whareorino School; Taranaki; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Whareorino School in a rural coastal community of North Taranaki invites applications for a Principal to lead our U1 full primary, currently a small teaching team with eight students. The role is based at Waikawau, about thirty minutes from Mōkau and an hour from Piopio, in a setting renowned for its bush, rivers and coastline.

The successful candidate will be a people person who can form caring relationships with staff, students and the wider community, champion an engaging place-based

Qualifications

• Lead a small rural primary school with a hands-on leadership approach.
• Strong communication and community engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Whareorino School as Principal in Years 1–8.
• Foster relationships with staff, students and the wider community; drive the place-based curriculum.

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi, Principal

A wonderful opportunity to lead our well loved school in the heart of a King Country (but within the Taranaki MOE region) rural and seaside community at Waikawau has become available. Whareorino School is located thirty minutes from Mōkau and one hour from Piopio. The surrounding countryside, bush, rivers and beautiful coast create an idyllic setting for our school. The area is home to the Nuku Walk, stunning scenery, the Waikawau Beach Tunnel and great fishing and hunting. We will soon be celebrating our school centennial and we are now seeking a new principal to confidently take our school into its next century of education and service to our community.

Whareorino School is a U1 full primary school with a roll of 8 students. Our team is made up of a 0.3 release teacher, a 0.2 LSC teacher, an admin / teacher aide, a Ka Ora Ka Ako cook and grounds / cleaner role. Whareorino School is part of the ‘Tainui Cluster’ of schools who collaborate for staff professional learning and rich experiences for our students in the arts, culture and sport.

Whareorino School is known for living our Vision Statement ‘Stand Tall, Grow Strong, Reach High’. Our vision for our learners is underpinned by our school values; ‘relationships, resilience and reflection’. If you are a visionary teacher and leader, who values connection, collaboration, growth, the success of tamariki and delivering an engaging place based curriculum- we invite you to apply. Our new principal will be a people person who can form caring and supportive relationships with the staff, students and wider community. A school house can be made available for the successful candidate.

Visits is welcome before the Term 3 holidays or feel free to visit the school and look around during the holidays.

Mike Dowd - Mike Dowd Consulting
**********@gmail.com
027 355 5382

Whareorino SchoolNZ

Physical address:
8 Waikawau Beach Road, Awakino, North Taranaki