About Us

Tena koutou katoa
I have the great privilege of leading learning here at Kaikōura Primary School. I am passionate about ensuring high expectations for all our learners and maintaining our caring and inclusive school culture, where everyone belongs. On a personal note, I live on a dairy farm with my husband and our five children and I really enjoy helping out on the farm in my spare time.

I have lived in beautiful Kaikōura since 2003 and have worked for Kaikōura Primary School for nearly 18 years.   I feel very privileged to work at KPS, where everyone is valued and included. When I’m not at school or our business, I love reading, gardening, the outdoors, and travelling to spend time with our adult children and young grandchildren.

Kia ora koutou!

I have the pleasure of working with fantastic tamariki across schools in Kaikōura. I have a background in Speech and Language Therapy and am passionate about oral language, reading and writing. 

I whakapapa to Kaikōura and am immensely grateful to be raising my two children with my husband in this beautiful part of Aotearoa. In my spare time I love reading, music and enjoying the outdoors with my whānau.

Ngā mihi nui

I believe teaching and learning are things we all do every day of our lives.  As a teacher, it is my privilege to find teachable moments where I can use the children’s passion to build their knowledge and confidence. 
We have a busy family, our children are almost all grown up and we have 2 precious granddaughters.  I love animals and have horses and dogs with who I share a very outdoors life.

Kia ora koutou
Ko Willie Manuel toku ingoa
No Kaikōura ahau
I enjoy fishing, surfing and rugby. I am a father of two and grandfather of 3.  I have been teaching for over 20 years. Before that, I worked at Whale Watch Kaikōura and was a fisherman employed by Virgo Fisheries in Kaikōura. My favourite subjects to teach are Mathematics, Kapahaka, and The Arts.
Naku noa

I am originally from the South West of the UK but am proud to call Kaikōura my home. Kaikōura Primary School is an amazing place to teach,  the open spaces and sea views make for an excellent learning environment. I am passionate about the outdoors and the arts which I integrate into my lessons wherever possible. Mānuka class is a kind, diligent, and fun place to learn, with every child experiencing success (in some shape or form) every day. I strongly believe that children should be active participants, not placid recipients of their education, and my work with Mānuka class is underpinned by this belief. 

Kia ora I’m Gwen
I moved to Kaikōura almost 32 years ago. I have been at Kaikōura Primary for 27 years as a Learning Assistant and I still love everything about my job! I work with individuals and groups and I have good rapport with all the children.  I believe that school should feel like a fun, safe place to be.

I have been the caretaker for going on 5 years in November 2022 and both my children attended KPS. I have a long history with the school from my time working as a local builder and being on the BOT during the rebuild of our school. I enjoy my work here because it is so varied and on a fine day you couldn’t ask for a better office because of our location.