Our Principal – Chris Herlihy

Tēnā koutou katoa,

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

E mihi ana au ki Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe.
Ka mihi hoki au ki ngā tohu o te rohe nei.

Ko Chris Herlihy tōku ingoa.
Ko au te Tumuaki o Te Uho o te Nikau Primary School.

I tipu ake au ki Kirikiriroa,
Ā, kei Tāmaki Makaurau ahau e noho ana.

Tēnei te mihi nui ki a koutou katoa, ngā whānau, ngā tauira, ngā kaiako, me ngā kaimahi katoa.
I roto i tēnei kura, ka whai tikanga tātou ki te whakamana i ngā whakaaro rerekē, te whakarato i ngā wāhi haumaru, me te whakakotahi i te hapori.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Warm greetings to everyone,

What is the most important thing in the world?

It is people, it is people, it is people.

I wish to acknowledge Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the local iwi and custodians of this area.

I also recognise the significant landmarks of this region.

My name is Chris Herlihy.

I am the Principal of Te Uho o te Nikau Primary School.

I grew up in Hamilton,

and I now reside in Auckland.

I extend a heartfelt welcome to all families, students, teachers, and staff members.

At our school, we are committed to valuing diverse perspectives, ensuring safe spaces, and fostering a unified community.

My sincere thanks to each and every one of you,

Greetings, greetings, greetings to us all.

It is with great enthusiasm and humility that I begin my journey as the principal of Te Uho o te Nikau School. I am deeply honoured to join a school with such a vibrant spirit and a strong commitment to fostering the growth of each and every student.

I come to you with nine years of experience as the principal of Glen Taylor School, where I had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team to create a thriving learning environment. I was also fortunate to be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed me to complete my Masters in Arts – Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators at the University of Delaware, USA. I am eager to bring the insights and knowledge I gained from these experiences to Te Uho o te Nikau.

As we embark on this new chapter together, I am excited to build upon the excellent foundations that have already been laid. Our school values of Growth, Trust, Membership, Security and Ownership will remain at the core of everything we do. We will continue to nurture an environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their learning.

I am eager to get to know our students, staff, whānau and the wider community. I believe that strong partnerships are essential for creating a vibrant and successful school. Together, we will create a learning community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is inspired to reach their full potential.

Outside of school, I have a passion for golf, travel, horse racing, and spending quality time with my friends and family.

The future of Te Uho o te Nikau is bright. As our school grows, we will embrace new opportunities while remaining true to our values. I look forward to working alongside all of you to further enhance our school and ensure that every student thrives.

Ngā mihi nui,

Chris Herlihy

Principal Te Uho o te Nikau School

chris@tenikau.school.nz