Chris Heald

Kia ora whānau,

Originally from Yorkshire, I have been calling Tāhuna, Queenstown home since 2018. Like most who visit this beautiful whenua, I instantly loved the active lifestyle, friendly people, and opportunities to get out into the backcountry. During my time here, I have connected with our awesome community through various hobbies and teaching the valuable life skill, swimming. After completing my teacher training in 2023, I am very excited to start my career at Shotover Primary School which played a vital role in my studies. The school values of "1% better" and "growth mindset" align perfectly with the culture I hope to foster in the classroom. 

Being dyslexic, I am very passionate about connecting with tamariki to understand how each individual learns, ensuring they feel fully supported on their own journey. Whanaungatanga is at the heart of my practice and I am excited to get to know the ākonga in Kawarau as we learn and grow together. Teaching for me is about celebrating each student's successes and helping them see the mana-enhancing potential in working together. In my free time you will likely find me on the golf course, tramping, swimming, or playing cricket.