Mrs Carter was brought to tears during the rousing powhiri, which also served as a farewell.
Staff and pupils from her old school, Rotorua Girls' High School, where she was deputy principal, also performed.
Mrs Carter, originally from Timaru, told a packed hall, which included her friends and family, she was ''overwhelmed and excited'' about taking on the role.
''I look forward to meeting every one of you - students, staff, whanau - in the coming week.
''I am very passionate ... about girls' education and achievement,'' she said.
Earlier, Rotorua Girls' High School principal Ally Gibbons said the powhiri signalled the beginning of a partnership between the two schools.
''We hold this school in high regard,'' Mrs Gibbons said.
Mrs Carter was highly regarded at Rotorua Girls', she said.
''Di's philosophy on education is driven by the belief that every student counts.''
