Westland High School West Coast

Principal | Tumuaki

• Lead with integrity and purpose.
• Foster trust.
• Make your mark on the coast.

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.

About 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.

Skills and experience

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.

Watch a video about our kura and this role.