Head Teacher/Kaiako Kaiārahi Te Pārekereke o Te Kī

Nau mai, haere mai! Te Pārekereke o Te Kī is looking for a passionate Kaiako Kaiārahi / Head Teacher to lead our warm, kaupapa-driven bilingual early learning centre in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Founded by Kāi Tahu and supported by the Otago University Childcare Association (OUCA), we are proud to be the only bilingual ECE centre in Ōtepoti. Here, te reo me ōna tikaka Māori guide everything we do for our 31 tamariki (including up to 12 under two). We are currently embarking on an exciting journey to become a Puna Reo—requiring at least 51% te reo Māori immersion across the day—recognizing the depth of te reo and cultural expertise our kaiako bring.

About the role Leading a close-knit, passionate team of seven kaiako you will:

Inspire and support your team in bringing our kaupapa to life.

Nurture warm relationships with tamariki, whānau, and our wider community.

Champion te reo me ōna tikaka Māori

You’ll have plenty of support along the way from really passionate whānau, the OUCA Manager, Administrator, and a friendly network of Head Teachers across our five centres.

Who we’re looking for

A qualified, registered ECE or Primary teacher with leadership experience.

A high level of fluency in te reo Māori and a deep understanding of tikaka Māori to lead an immersive environment.

A warm heart and a genuine passion for kaupapa Māori education.

What we offer

Full pay parity (+ waha rumaki allowance once licensed as a Puna Reo).

10+ hours of non-contact time every week.

Relocation support (available for the right candidate moving within Aotearoa).

A supportive, vibrant workplace in beautiful Ōtepoti Dunedin, known for its strong community, beaches, and wildlife.

Come help us shape the future of bilingual early learning in Te Wai Pounamu!