Lindy Marr, the head of learning support at Rongotai College, in Wellington, will assume the position next year.
It will be the first time a woman has held one of the most senior administrative positions - rector, deputy principal or assistant principal - at one of New Zealand's oldest high schools.
School rector Clive Rennie said Mrs Marr, who has a considerable background in boys' education, had been selected for the range of skills, including in literacy work, she would bring to the school.
"It's just going to be so exciting," Mrs Marr said about her new job, which she will take up at the start of next year.
She noted that Rongotai College was a boys' school and said she was looking forward to continuing her involvement with boys' education.
She was born in Dunedin but, having lived away from the city for 30 years, was keen to return.
"Every time I come back to Dunedin, it's like putting on your old overcoat.
"It's so comfortable. I love it."
Mrs Marr (nee Dickson) grew up in the city, attending Bayfield High School.
She gained qualifications from the then Dunedin Teachers College as well from the University of Otago, including a master of education degree in professional development from the latter.
Professional development involved "empowering teachers to be even better teachers", she said.
Mrs Marr succeeds Dan Reddiex, an assistant principal at Otago Boys, who was recently appointed principal at Kings High School.
Her sister, Ngila Dickson, is a Dunedin-born film costume designer who won, with Richard Taylor, an Academy Award for costume design for The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings in 2001, and this year won an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award.
