Tumuaki | Principal

Tapawera Area School; Tapawera; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PRA up to $50,000

Job summary

Tapawera Area School is seeking a collaborative and strategic principal to lead our rural community through a new phase of growth. You will champion literacy and mathematics programmes, embed restorative practice, and work with our board to shape a community-driven strategic plan.

Commences Term 1 2027. The successful applicant may be eligible for the Principal Recruitment Allowance (PRA) of up to $50,000, reflecting our commitment to attracting strong leadership for this essential role.

Qualifications

• Experienced leader, ideally in a secondary or area school.
• Approachable, visible and relational leadership style.
• Excellent communicator with governance/board involvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead targeted literacy and maths programmes to lift achievement.
• Promote restorative practice in everyday school life.
• Develop and implement a new strategic plan with community input.
• Oversee planned property upgrades.
• Grow and manage partnership with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Job description

About us

Beside the Motueka River and on the doorstep of Kahurangi National Park, Tapawera Area School is the heart of a close-knit rural community. Around 150 ākonga from Year 1 to Year 13 enjoy the breadth of a full school with the warmth of a small one. Many whānau have been part of the kura for generations.

About the role

You’ll build on real momentum:

• targeted literacy and maths programmes that are lifting achievement
• restorative practice in everyday school life
• a new strategic plan shaped with our community
• planned property upgrades
• a growing partnership with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō

Our culture is grounded in the FIRE Way: Friendliness, Integrity, Respect and Effort. With a collaborative staff team and a committed board, you won’t lead alone.

Commences Term 1 2027.

The successful applicant may be eligible for the Principal Recruitment Allowance (PRA) of up to $50,000.

About you

We’re looking for a principal who is:

• approachable, visible and relational
• warm and caring towards every ākonga and kaimahi
• an excellent communicator
• firm, fair and consistent
• committed to sound processes and working constructively with the board
• an experienced leader, ideally in a secondary or area school.

At Tapawera, your leadership will be visible, your relationships will matter and your ideas will make a difference.