About This Role
Position: Principal | Tumuaki
Type: Full time, Permanent
Location: Westland High School, West Coast
The Role
The principal | tumuaki will lead Westland High School, working closely with the board, staff, rangatahi, whānau, mana whenua and the community.
This highly visible role requires a leader who:
- provides relational leadership across the kura and community
- strengthens authentic partnerships with Ngāti Waewae and Ngāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio
- establishes clear behaviour expectations for a safe, focused learning environment
- champions academic achievement alongside diverse pathways (vocational, cultural, outdoor education)
- empowers staff with high-trust leadership, building leadership capability.
This is an opportunity to lead with integrity, in a community where education is valued and leadership is highly visible.
A Principal Recruitment Allowance will be available for an eligible candidate.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead with integrity and purpose.
- Foster trust.
- Make your mark on the coast.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate profile, shaped by stakeholder voice, includes:
- proven secondary leadership experience
- strong relational and emotional intelligence
- commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- experience working with mana whenua
- strategic and operational capability (HR, finance, compliance)
- high trust and collaborative leadership style.
What We Offer
Westland High School, located in the heart of Hokitika, offers a broad and inclusive learning environment for rangatahi from Years 7–13. Our kura is deeply connected to the local community, with a proud West Coast | Te Tai Poutini identity. Surrounded by coastline, bush, and mountains, Hokitika offers a balanced lifestyle of connection, resilience and opportunity. Outdoor education is a key strength, with rangatahi engaging in place-based learning that builds confidence, resilience and teamwork. The bilingual unit enriches cultural identity and ensures access to the full curriculum. A 3-bedroom schoolhouse is available (on a rental basis) for the successful applicant.
Apply exclusively via the WhatSchool platform.