Kaiako Matua – Maniototo

Maniototo Kindergarten is a purpose-built kindergarten with generous indoor and outdoor spaces designed to inspire learning in and through the natural world. The well-established outdoor environment reflects the surrounding rural landscape and invites tamariki to explore, wonder, take physical risks and develop working theories about the world around them. Tamariki are supported to see themselves as kaitiaki, actively caring for and respecting their environment.

Strong community connections are central to the kindergarten, with regular walks to the local library and close proximity to Maniototo Area School. Families and whānau highly value kindergarten education and demonstrate strong commitment to their tamariki’s learning.

Set across a vast, elevated landscape in Central Otago, the Maniatoto Plain is a striking and distinctive place to live and work. Framed by mountain ranges and wide open skies, the region offers a powerful sense of space, calm and connection to nature. Its dramatic seasons, from crisp winter frosts to warm summer days, shape a resilient and close‑knit rural community.

With small town centres at its heart and farming as a way of life, Maniototo offers a unique lifestyle grounded in simplicity, strength and strong community values.

Maniototo Kindergarten is a well‑resourced, four teacher service currently operating at a roll of 20/20, offering strong foundations and genuine opportunities to grow alongside the evolving needs of the local community.

Start Date/Hours of Work

Duties to commence beginning of term 3, 2026

This position is  40 hours each week, worked as follows:

Contact hours:
9.00am – 3.00pm Monday – Friday
With an additional 12 hours and 30 minutes professional time each week.

Job Description & Person Specification

Job Description & Person Specification – Kaiako Matua Maniototo Kindergarten

When applying for the position, the application form below will ask you to describe your overall suitability for the position, focusing on the first 4 key attributes from the job description and person specification. For this position, the 4 key attributes are;

1. The successful Head Teacher will need to be able to lead and work as part of a small collaborative teaching team effectively developing a culture of relational trust so as to establish a shared vision to meet the learning needs of this unique community.
2. The ability to establish strong professional, reciprocal relationships with whānau, children and the wider learning community.
3. The Head Teacher will be able to lead an internal evaluation process that critiques the current practices, gathers information and ideas from a broad range of sources and effects change that results in improved learning outcomes for children.
4. The successful applicant will have a strong understanding of intentional teaching that supports progression of learning and the ability to lead planning for learning, both individual and group planning.

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Remuneration

The terms and conditions, including base salary, for this position is set by the relevant collective agreement. The K2, Head Teacher salary is $107,664 per annum.

Apply Now

Please complete the below Head Teacher/Teacher Application Form prior to the closing date of 4.00pm Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Please note: All referee reports must also be completed and submitted prior to the closing date.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Hold a current practicing certificate with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa
• Have a level 7 or higher teaching qualification endorsed in Early Childhood Education or Primary (or have had your international qualifications assessed by NZQA to meet this requirement)
• Must be living in and legally entitled to work in New Zealand – NZ / Aust Citizenship, NZ Permanent Residency or Open Work Visa. Please do not apply if you are out of NZ or if seeking visa sponsorship.
• Have a current first aid certificate or be able to obtain one prior to beginning the role.