" \u003cdiv class=\"ja-job-details\"\u003e \u003ch2 class=\"title\"\u003eDoris Nicholson Kindergarten - Permanent Fulltime Head Teacher\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"meta\"\u003e \u003cul class=\"classifications\"\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"5309\"\u003e Teaching \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"5311\"\u003e Upper Hutt \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"5312\"\u003e Permanent / Full Time \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cp class=\"date-posted\"\u003e 3/11/2026 \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003eAt\u0026nbsp;He Wh\u0026#257;nau Manaaki Kindergartens (WMK), we\u0027re proud to support\u0026nbsp;136 kindergartens\u0026nbsp;across the regions of\u0026nbsp;Taranaki, Whanganui, Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Manawat\u0026#363;, K\u0026#257;piti, Porirua, Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt,\u0026nbsp;Wairarapa and Otago. We also offer a unique\u0026nbsp;home-based service, Etu Ao, in\u0026nbsp;Porirua\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Levin, with a special focus on\u0026nbsp;Pacific families.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003eWe believe that\u0026nbsp;high-quality early childhood education\u0026nbsp;is a powerful force\u0026mdash;for children, their wh\u0026#257;nau, their communities, and for the future of\u0026nbsp;Aotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be a\u0026nbsp;national leader\u0026nbsp;in early childhood education, setting the standard and advocating for excellence and access across the country.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003eAt the heart of everything we do are our values:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u0026middot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Nurturing the mana of the child\u0026nbsp;- Honouring each child\u0027s unique identity\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; and potential\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u0026middot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kounga | Quality\u0026nbsp;- Striving for excellence in every aspect of our services\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u0026middot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Pono | Integrity\u0026nbsp;- Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u0026middot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship and sustainability\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u0026middot;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Mahi Tahi | Partnership\u0026nbsp;- Working together with wh\u0026#257;nau and\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; communities\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003eToday, more than\u0026nbsp;6,000 children\u0026nbsp;are part of the Wh\u0026#257;nau Manaaki kindergarten family, with an additional\u0026nbsp;150 children\u0026nbsp;enrolled in our\u0026nbsp;Etu Ao\u0026nbsp;home-based programme. Together, we\u0027re building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration:underline\"\u003eCommunity Description:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Nestled at the north end of Upper Hutt in the Maoribank/Clouston Park community, our kindergarten is a warm and welcoming place where relationships are at the heart of learning. Our inviting, well-resourced environment encourages curiosity, creativity, exploration, and participation, supporting tamariki to lead their own learning through a strong commitment to a child-led curriculum. Kaiako value the unique strengths, interests, and ideas of each child, creating rich learning opportunities that are responsive, authentic, and engaging.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A special feature of our kindergarten is our commitment to \u003cem\u003ete taiao/environment \u003c/em\u003eand the belief that meaningful learning happens through connecting with the natural world. We embrace the gifts of Papat\u0026#363;\u0026#257;nuku and Ranginui, encouraging tamariki to spend time outdoors, develop a sense of wonder, and care for the environment. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTamariki also enjoy creating with loose parts, using open-ended resources to design, build, imagine, and problem-solve alongside their peers. Together with our strong partnerships with wh\u0026#257;nau, local schools, and the wider community, we create a nurturing environment where tamariki feel connected, valued, and inspired to grow as confident, capable learners.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWe have 30 children attending for 6 hours each day.\u0026nbsp; You will join our team of 3 other teachers. \u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u003cbr\u003eThis is a fulltime role - Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWe are looking for an enthusiastic ECE leader who:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides leadership in implementing a responsive, localised curriculum that reflects the strengths, interests, and aspirations of tamariki, wh\u0026#257;nau, and the community.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLeads the team with strong knowledge and experience in socio-cultural assessment for learning, effectively using processes such as noticing, recognising, and responding, and is confident in guiding evaluative practice that strengthens outcomes for tamariki.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eNurtures and sustains strong partnerships with wh\u0026#257;nau, supporting their meaningful participation and engagement in their child\u0027s learning journey and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the kindergarten community.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDemonstrates confidence and has experience in maintaining effective systems and processes, ensuring the kindergarten meets its operational and regulatory obligations, with the team actively engaged in and contributing to these practices.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eModels and strengthens the use of te reo M\u0026#257;ori, tikanga M\u0026#257;ori, and culturally responsive practice across all aspects of the learning programme. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cbr\u003e To apply for this position, you need to address the key skills or abilities listed above.\u0026nbsp; We ask that you talk about these in your covering letter, giving examples of how you have demonstrated these skills/abilities in previous roles.\u0026nbsp; Please remember to attach your covering letter, resume and other relevant information as listed in the Application Requirements on our website.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cspan style=\"text-align:justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplications close on:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Tuesday, 24th November at 11.00pm\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"apply\"\u003e \u003ca class=\"back-link\" href=\"#\" title=\"Back to search results\"\u003eBack to search results\u003c/a\u003e \u003cinput type=\"button\" class=\"ja-button\" data-job-id=\"1131116\" value=\"Apply Now\" title=\"Apply Now\" /\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "