Our People

Staff 

Nikki Irwin

Acting Principal 

principal@opaki.school.nz

James Smith

Deputy Principal/Aronui Teacher

Year 7/8

james@opaki.school.nz

Emma Berry

Currently on Maternity Leave

emma@opaki.school.nz

Jenny Stevens

Aronui Teacher

Year 7/8

jenny@opaki.school.nz

Lizzy McGovern

Tipu Teacher

Year 1 

Staff Board Representative

lizzy@opaki.school.nz

Rosemary Thorpe

Kahure Teacher

Year 5/6


rosemary@opaki.school.nz

Kate Hamill


Deputy Principal/Mahuri Teacher

Year 4/5/6

kate@opaki.school.nz


Ellie Francis


Currently on Maternity Leave


ellie@opaki.school.nz

Karen Wilson


Mahuri Teacher

Year 2/3/4

Jump Jam Coordinator

karen@opaki.school.nz

Rachel Kerr

Tipu Teacher

Year 1

Structured Literacy

rachel@opaki.school.nz

Carolyn Rattray

Release Teacher

Aronui/Kahure Syndicates

carolyn@opaki.school.nz

Bec Trafford

Mahuri Teacher

Year 2/3/4

bec@opaki.school.nz

Support Staff

Bonnie MacBeth

Office Administrator

office@opaki.school.nz

Sam Mitchell

Teacher Aide and Caretaker

sam@opaki.school.nz

Anne Topham

Caroline Warren

Allison Boyce

Learning Support Coordinator 

lsc@opaki.school.nz

Janne Finlayson

Support Teacher 

Mel Thawley

Board of Trustees

Jenny Maxwell

Chairperson

Boon Huxtable

Treasurer 

Troy Field

Health and Safety

Morgan Bunny

Community Liaison

Gemma Askew