Team Leader (Certificated) Hokitika

At Active Explorers Hokitika, relationships come first. Our centre is full of laughter, curiosity, and connection, creating a place where our Tamariki and their whānau feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.

We care for children aged 3 months to 6 years, and as the only centre in Hokitika with a nursery, we get the joy of supporting Tamariki right from their earliest days through to their confident next steps. We love seeing friendships form, confidence grow, and children move smoothly through each stage of their learning.

Our team works closely together, sharing ideas, supporting one another, and celebrating the wins — big and small. We’re passionate about creating a positive, inclusive learning environment where children feel encouraged to explore, and educators feel supported to do their best work.

We’re also an Enviroschools centre, which means muddy hands, outdoor learning, and caring for the environment are part of everyday life here. We value our local community and enjoy building learning experiences that reflect our people, our place, and the world around us.

We are now looking for a passionate and experienced Team Leader to join our team in a full-time role, working 40 hours per week across 5 days. This is a great opportunity for a confident leader who enjoys mentoring others, building strong team culture, and creating inspiring learning environments for tamariki.

As Team Leader, you’ll work closely with the Centre Manager to support the day-to-day running of the centre, guide and motivate your team, and help ensure high-quality teaching and learning practices are consistently delivered. You’ll lead with warmth, positivity, and professionalism, while fostering strong relationships with tamariki, whānau, and colleagues.

If you’re someone who brings enthusiasm, leadership, and a genuine passion for early childhood education, we’d love to hear from you.

Our offer to you:

• A warm, supportive team culture where everyone genuinely helps each other.
• A well-equipped centre with excellent resources for creativity and exploration.
• Leaders who prioritise your wellbeing and support your professional development.
• Competitive pay and a strong focus on work–life balance.
• Birthday leave to celebrate you.
• Access to the Evolve network of early childhood education professionals.
• Sufficient non-contact hours to ensure effective programme planning and leadership responsibilities.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A fun, inclusive environment where your ideas are welcomed.

What we're looking for in you:

• You are ECE qualified with a current Full or Provisional Teaching Registration.
• You have previous leadership experience or are ready to take the next step in your teaching career.
• You are passionate, nurturing, and dedicated to helping tamariki thrive.
• You enjoy mentoring and supporting other teachers to grow and succeed.
• You love delivering a play-based curriculum that supports exploration and growth.
• You’re confident in building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• You lead with positivity, initiative, and a collaborative approach.

Nau mai, haere mai — we welcome creative ideas, fresh energy, and passionate leaders to join our team.