Our people

The quality of a school is not just found in its programmes, awards, or learning spaces. It is found in the adults who know your child, notice what they need, and bring learning to life every day.

Our team is experienced, thoughtful, and deeply committed to children. Across classrooms, leadership, learning support, administration, and specialist roles, every person here plays a part in creating a school where children feel known, challenged, and cared for.

Leadership Team

Strong leadership does not have to mean distant leadership. At Waimairi, ours is visible, present, and part of the daily life of the school.

Chris Panther

Tumuaki | Principal

Lynley Cummack

Deputy Principal | Learning Support Coordinator

Kiri Anngow

Associate Principal | Kererū Teacher

Tina Dower

Ngā Puna River Leader | Ngā Puna Teacher

Anna Robertson

Ōtākaro River Leader | Literacy Lead | Īnaka Teacher

Katie Humphries

Wāirarapa River Leader | Cultural Lead | Tī Kōuka Teacher

Our Team

Our staff work in teams, not isolation — because no single adult should carry a child’s whole story alone.

Through our River System and Looping structure, children are known by more than one adult and supported across a longer learning journey. Staff plan together, notice patterns together, and share responsibility for every learner in their care.

Abbie Marsters

Pātiki Teacher

Ali Botherway

Structured Literacy Specialist

Amy Deverson

Release Teacher

Bronnie King

School Based Counsellor

Brooke Taylor

Learning Assistant

Courtney Laifa

Kānuka Teacher

Darren Clarke

Property Manager

Dave Atkinson

Learning Assistant

Debbie Gillett

Learning Assistant

Deirdre Hull

Music Lead | Tī Kōuka Teacher

Emma Stoddart

Specialist Literacy Teacher

Hamish Turner

ICT Lead | Kōtare Teacher

Jackie Pithie

International Director | Principal’s PA

Jana Perring

Tī Kōuka Teacher

Jess Newbitt

Release Teacher

Julie Colhoun

Learning Assistant

Kate Mitchell

Coaching Lead | Kererū Teacher

Kate Webster

Release Teacher

Katrina Burdett

Kererū 0.6 Teacher

Kirsty Hay

Pātiki Teacher

Kirsty Mitchell

Learning Assistant

Macushla Lunn

Kānuka Teacher

Marty Lukes

Release Teacher

Maryanne Bhatnagar

Learning Assistant

Matt Robinson

Librarian | Learning Assistant

Olivia Cameron

Release Teacher

Sandra Mahan

Finance Officer

Sarah Smith

Īnaka Teacher

Tania Stott

Ngā Puna Teacher

Tina Gullidge

Learning Assistant

Tracy Campbell

Release Teacher

Vanessa Donaldson

Barista

Vanessa Reynolds

Maths Lead | Kōtare Teacher

Victoria Chapman

ESOL Teacher (English as a Second Language)

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