National Lead, At Risk Gateway Programmes | Wellington

Job Description

1x Position 

Fixed term (Start: September 2026 – December 2027) 

Full-Time 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)  

Location:   Wellington 

Ko wai mātou | About Us 

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) is New Zealand's largest school with a roll of up to 24,000 ākonga (students) at any point of time. We provide personalised and authentic learning programmes through distance education from early childhood to NCEA Level 3, including to young adult and adult learners. 

Our ākonga are at the centre of all we do. 

Our vision is to enable our ākonga to achieve their educational and personal goals, empowering them to become engaged and contributing members of their communities. Ki te tī, ki te tā, ki te katoa – Anytime, anywhere, anyone. 

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this position: 

The National Lead, At Risk Gateway Programmes is responsible for leading the development and implementation of national programmes, projects, and initiatives that strengthen Te Kura's approach to supporting wellbeing and engagement for ākonga enrolled via at risk gateways. 

This role provides centralised leadership to develop, establish and implement programmes which build trusting, culturally grounded relationships with ākonga and whānau, strengthen identity and emotional safety and develop the skills, supports, and conditions that empower sustained ākonga and whānau wellbeing outcomes, enduring engagement with learning and increase positive outcomes of further education, employment or training. 

The National Lead will lead specific programmes and initiatives which are whānau-centred and community-based to enable connections, belonging, wellbeing and engagement to be strengthened. 

Working collaboratively with the Ākonga Hauora team and closely with regional leaders and kaimahi, the role is focused on providing opportunities and reducing barriers to enable long term positive wellbeing and educational outcomes for these ākonga. 

The position plays a critical role in shaping how Te Kura is responding, supporting and enabling, embedding effective whānau and hāpori centric practice, and ensuring robust monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement. 

The National Lead reports to the DCE Ākonga Hauora and contributes to the broader Ākonga Hauora Wāhanga. 

Ko koe tēnei | About you 

 We are looking for someone with: 

• Understanding of and experience in ākonga development, wellbeing, and health and safety
• Leadership experience in a complex education, health, or social services environment
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to use data and research to inform successful implementation 
• Proven creative and innovative approach to delivery of outcomes 
• Leadership experience of planning, delivery, and evaluation of programmes and projects
• Understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application to wellbeing and equitable outcomes
• Proven exceptional stakeholder engagement skills across both internal and external stakeholders

Ngā Uara o Te Kura | Our Values  

At Te Kura, our values shape how we do things every day, guiding our decisions and actions to support not only ākonga but also the mahi and relationships that make this possible:  

• Manaaki | How We Show Up To manaaki is to uplift the mana of ourselves and others — showing respect, generosity, and care.  

• Whanaungatanga | How We Team Whanaungatanga is about building relationships through shared experiences and working together, creating a strong sense of belonging.  

• Tika | How We Practise Tika means being just, fair, and direct. We act truthfully and appropriately in all we do.  

• Ākonga at the Centre Our ākonga are always at the heart of our efforts, guiding our actions and decisions.  

Hei whakautu | In return 

Te Kura will provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment and work in a team that offers genuine work flexibility as part of an organisation that makes a difference to ākonga (students) across New Zealand.  

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply 

If you've nodded your head whilst reading this and thought ‘this is me!' click that apply button, we want to hear from you!    

Applications must be lodged via our career's portal, and you must have the right to reside or work in New Zealand.  

E hiahia mōhio anō ana koe? | Like to find out more?  

For more information, check out the position description, if you still have any additional questions, please contact jobs@tekura.school.nz  

For any issues with the application process, please contact jobs@tekura.school.nz. 

Applications close at 11:59pm on Monday 31 August 2026