Ōwhiro Bay Kindergarten - Permanent Fulltime Teacher

At He Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (WMK), we're proud to support over 135 kindergartens across the regions of Taranaki, Whanganui, Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Porirua, Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt, Wairarapa and South Otago. We also offer a unique home-based service, Etu Ao, in Porirua and Levin, with a special focus on Pasific families.

We believe that high quality early childhood education is a powerful force—for children, their whānau, their communities, and for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be a national leader in early childhood education, setting the standard and advocating for excellence and access across the country.

At the heart of everything we do are our values:
· Nurturing the mana of the child - Honouring each child's unique identity and potential
· Kounga | Quality - Striving for excellence in every aspect of our services
· Pono | Integrity - Acting with honesty, respect, and transparency
· Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship and sustainability
· Mahi Tahi | Partnership - Working together with whānau and communities

Today, more than 6,000 children are part of the Whānau Manaaki kindergarten family, with an additional 150 children enrolled in our Etu Ao home-based programme. Together, we're building strong foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Community Description:

Ōwhiro Bay and stream are named after the navigator Whiro, who landed the waka Nukutere there, and has been historically settled by the Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Ira and Ngāi Tara tribes. Our kindergarten is on site at Ōwhiro Bay School to create one learning community where the school and kindergarten share knowledge in a partnership that is beneficial to children and families.

Our child-led programme is strongly supported by our environment. Our close links to the school, the community gardens, the stream and the beach are celebrated. Through connecting children with nature, we help to deepen their learning experience and create a lasting sense of place. This respect for nature is part of our bi-cultural programme.
Our purpose-built building allows us to cater for children aged 6 months to 5 years of age. Children are encouraged to become active explorers of their environment, to learn through participation both individually and alongside their peers.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced ECE kaiako who:

• A solution focused kaiako - thrives off a busy and evolving learning environment
• Has an interest in developing their own leadership
• Is able to respond with current theory and practice to diverse learners
• Enacts a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in everyday teaching practices
• Has an evaluative lens on practice, processes and their own learning.

To apply for this position, you need to address the key skills or abilities listed above. We ask that you talk about these in your covering letter, giving examples of how you have demonstrated these skills/abilities in previous roles. Please remember to attach your covering letter, resume and other relevant information as listed in the Application Requirements on our website.


Applications close on: Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 11.45pm