Sport Waikato’s’ mahi is guided by our North Star – Shaping Better Lives Through Movement.
Our work spans the Waikato, from the Coromandel to Tūrangi, Waihi to Kāwhia, and everywhere in between. We work alongside schools, kura, communities and partner organisations to create environments where people can move more and experience the lifelong benefits of physical activity. We are passionate, innovative, and driven by a desire to see communities thrive through movement.
Our workplace is people-centred, supportive, and collaborative. We are committed to creating an environment where learning and growth are encouraged. We value different perspectives, encourage new ideas and believe good mahi happens when people feel safe to ask questions, challenge thinking and be themselves.
We are also committed to our ongoing cultural journey - deepening our understanding of Te Ao Māori, strengthening our use of Te Reo Māori and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi throughout the way we work.
The opportunity
We are looking for an experienced primary educator to join our team as a Professional Learning Partner.
This is an exciting opportunity to step beyond the classroom and use your knowledge, experience, and passion to influence change across schools and kura.
You will work alongside primary and intermediate schools to strengthen the systems, environments and teaching practices that support quality physical activity, hauora, and the Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Rather than arriving with all the answers, you will listen, ask good questions and work with each school to develop approaches that reflect its tamariki, staff and community.
A core component of this work is Healthy Active Learning which is a collaborative joint agency well-being initiative between Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education. Healthy Active Learning supports schools and kura across Aotearoa to improve the well-being of tamariki and Rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking, and quality physical activity, including a focus on the Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
Sport Waikato has taken the opportunity to work with key regional partners to ‘super-charge’ Healthy Active Learning to focus on a connected, targeted, integrated, and holistic system build approach to improve well-being for our young people.
** While our Head Office is located in Hamilton the role is regionally focused and with some travel involved. The successful candidate will be assigned to specific schools within the Greater Waikato region with the specific details discussed at interview.
What you’ll do
As a Professional Learning Partner, you will:
Build trusted relationships with school leaders, teachers, boards, and communities, working alongside them to understand their strengths, needs, and opportunities.
Support leaders and teachers to strengthen Health and Physical Education, hauora and quality physical activity through engaging professional learning, practical support and ongoing capability building.
Facilitate conversations that encourage schools to reflect on their current systems and practices, explore new possibilities, and create sustainable change.
Use evidence, data, and the voices of tamariki and teachers to support good planning and decision-making.
Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations, while bringing your own ideas, experience, and strengths to our collective mahi.
About you
To shine in this role, you will be a registered teacher with a current practising certificate and relevant New Zealand primary or intermediate school experience.
You understand the realities of working in schools and know that meaningful change comes through strong relationships, trust, and collaboration.
Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who:
Connects naturally with people, can read a room, and adapts their approach to different people, communities, and settings.
Is confident facilitating professional learning and can respectfully challenge thinking while bringing people with them.
Is curious, reflective, and open-minded — comfortable asking questions, receiving feedback, and exploring different ways of working.
Can work independently, manage a varied workload, and actively contribute to a positive, supportive team.
Brings a strong commitment to culturally responsive practice and improving outcomes for all tamariki.
Brings positive energy, flexibility, and a sense of humour, and is willing to travel throughout the Waikato as required. You do not need to be a sports expert or have all the answers. A belief in the value of movement and physical activity is important, but we are more interested in your ability to connect with people, facilitate learning, think critically, and help schools create sustainable change.
If you are an experienced educator who is ready for something different, and you want to use your skills to make an impact across the Waikato, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter through SEEK.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early.
If you would like a confidential conversation about the position, please contact Nikki Willis – Regional Manager Primary and Intermediate on 021 658 598 or at nikkiw@sportwaikato.org.nz
Please submit all applications through SEEK rather than sending them directly to the contact person.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 11th October 2026
Sport Waikato is committed to child protection and safeguarding children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete Police vetting and other relevant pre-employment checks.