Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning – Ko Taku Reo | Deaf Education New Zealand

Location: National scope (base negotiable - Auckland or Christchurch)

Tenure: Full-time, permanent

Lead excellence in teaching and learning. Champion bilingual, inclusive education.

Ko Taku Reo | Deaf Education New Zealand is the national provider of education services for Deaf and hard of hearing learners. Guided by our values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and ako, we are committed to celebrating Deaf culture, advancing bilingualism in NZSL, Te Reo Māori and English, and ensuring equitable learning outcomes for all learners.

We are seeking a strategic, dynamic, and values-led leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning – a pivotal role that ensures excellence, consistency, and innovation across all Ko Taku Reo teaching provisions.

About the role | Te tūranga

The Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning provides strategic and operational leadership across teaching, learning, assessment, and school improvement. This includes oversight of both the Enrolled and Outreach Schools, ensuring quality, cohesion, and innovation across all settings.

Reporting to the Executive Principal, this role leads the Teaching and Learning Leadership Team, driving improvement in teaching and learning quality, outcomes, and practice. The focus is on building a cohesive national teaching and learning network where excellence in bilingual and bicultural education is embedded and celebrated.

Your leadership will champion:

• Excellence in teaching and learning practice, data-informed decision making and assessment knowledge
• School improvement and quality assurance frameworks
• Collaboration across all enrolled and outreach environments
• A culture of reflection, innovation, and continuous improvement

About you | Mōu ake

You are a highly capable educational leader with a deep commitment to inclusive, bilingual, and bicultural education. You bring strong experience in leading teaching and learning systems, a passion for empowering others, and an evidence-based approach to improving outcomes. 

You will bring:

• Proven senior educational leadership, ideally in Deaf or specialist education
• Strength in teaching and learning quality, assessment, and school improvement
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to bicultural practice
• Understanding of Deaf culture, NZSL, and bilingual education principles
• Strong relational leadership and the ability to lead high-performing teams
• Strategic thinking, communication excellence, and a collaborative mindset

Why join us | He aha ai mātou?

At Ko Taku Reo, you’ll join a passionate national organisation dedicated to Deaf education excellence. Working alongside skilled educators and community leaders, you’ll help shape the future of learning for Deaf and hard of hearing students across Aotearoa.

This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to lead change that empowers learners through language, culture, and identity.

Join us | Me tono mai

If you are a strategic educational leader who believes in the transformative power of inclusive, bilingual education – we invite you to apply. We may choose to interview before the closing date so apply now. 

Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 10 December 2025.