Waihi School has officially welcomed its eighth headmaster in the school’s 117-year history.
Gareth Wood was welcomed to the Winchester-based school on Monday with a pōwhiri — replacing outgoing headmaster Allan Short who had held the position for the last 13 years.
Mr Wood stepped into the role having been the deputy headmaster of Huntley School in Marton for the last 11 years as well as teaching at various preparatory schools, including in the United Kingdom.
He was welcomed to the school with a karanga by Bianca Sheed and Vanessa Neho followed by a waikorero from Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua ūpoko Tewera King and assistant headmaster Nathan Morland.
Waihi pupils then sung several waiata and after addressing those in attendance Mr Wood was presented with a korowai.
After a haka and hongi, the pōwhiri concluded with the sharing of kai.
Mr Wood said he believed Waihi School was a good fit for him.
"I’ve come from Huntley School which is very similar to Waihi.
"Independent, small, a largely rural community and a lot of boarders.
He said the school was a good fit for him.
"We always had a strong relationship with Waihi School even though we were such a distance apart.
"When the role became available, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t have turned down."
Having come from the Manawatū-Whanganui region, he said his welcome to South Canterbury had been fantastic.
"The pōwhiri was lovely, but the people in the community have been great and have rallied around me.
"The Waihi staff reached out to me before coming down and really threw their support behind me, which was heartening."
He said it was great privilege and responsibility to have been appointed the new headmaster.
"Waihi is a great school.
"I want to continue the legacy they have already created and build on the co-education they went to four years ago.
"I've always been very collaborative with my staff, so working alongside them to understand everyone's strengths and weaknesses and then working towards a shared vision or shared goal is something I will bring to the role."
He said he had always led with humility and care, and that was not going to change.
"I look forward to getting to know the students, staff, parents and other stakeholders involved in helping to create such a unique and special school."
