Team Leader

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19); Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) invites two Team Leaders to join the founding leadership team as the school opens in 2027. You will shape culture, systems, and learning programmes, while guiding staff through coaching and mentoring to deliver high-quality education for tamariki and rangatahi with complex needs.

The role requires extensive experience with high- and complex-need learners, strong communication, and a deep commitment to whānau, with NZ teacher registration and

Qualifications

• Must have current NZ teacher registration and relevant qualifications.
• Strong coaching and mentoring experience with teachers.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to supporting tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.

Responsibilities

• Shape culture, systems, teaching and learning programmes, and strategic direction for a new specialist school.
• Lead and coach teaching teams to raise practice and outcomes.
• Collaborate with staff to establish a high-performing, inclusive educational community.

Skills

Coaching & mentoring

Communication

Relationship-building

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

NZ Teacher Registration

Qualified teacher credentials

Job description

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19) – Wanganui, North Island

Secondary (Years 7–15) / wharekura, Other senior leadership

TeOhanui- Palmerston North Specialist School

Kia tupu, kiahua| To grow, to flourish

This is a rare opportunity for visionary educators to join the founding leadership team of Palmerston North's newest school.

Opening in Term 3, 2027,TeOhanui will be the first specialist schoolestablishedin Aotearoa New Zealand in 50 years. The purpose-built school will provide education for up to 125ākongaaged 5 to 21 with high and complex learning needs.

We are seekingtwo Team Leadersto help shape the culture, systems, teaching and learning programmes, and strategic direction of this new school.

Our vision is to create a learning community where everyākongais valued, enabled to flourish, and supported to live a life of dignity, purpose, and belonging. Team Leaders will work alongside staff to strengthen teaching practice through coaching, mentoring, and a strengths-based approach, while fostering an inclusive and high-performing school culture.

AtTeOhanui, we believe joy matters. Learning thrives when ākonga and kaiako feel connected, valued, and inspired. We are looking for leaders who can nurture environments where curiosity, positive relationships, belonging, and professional growth are part of everyday learning.

You will bring

• Extensive experience working withākongawith high and complex needs.
• Strength in coaching and mentoring teachers.
• Knowledge of The New Zealand Curriculum andTeTiritio Waitangi.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• A deep commitment to supportingtamariki,rangatahi, and whānau.
• Current New Zealand teacher registration and relevant qualifications.

Remuneration includes 2 permanent management units (PMUs) and one day of release time per week.

This is a career-defining opportunity to helpestablisha new specialist school and make a lasting contribution to specialist education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Vacancy reference #:1HAtqd

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19)NZ

Physical address:
374 Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North