After a four-month search, Maniototo Area School has appointed Joe Ferdinands as its new principal.
Mr Ferdinands is an Indian national who has lived in the Maniototo area for the past 12 years.
At present, he is the school's head of English and year 11 form teacher. His wife, Celine, teaches new entrants and year 1 pupils at the school.
Mr Ferdinands has taught extensively in Middle Eastern countries, and has been the principal of a school there.
Speaking on behalf of the board of trustees, acting principal Mike Corkery said the decision was announced to staff yesterday, and Mr Ferdinands was proving to be a popular choice with staff.
Mr Corkery said applications for the position closed at the end of February, and seven applicants from across the South Island were interviewed.
''The board is very pleased that the process is now over.''
The process started when the school's former principal, Patsy Inder, resigned last November and told the board she would be on leave for the rest of the year.
She was the school's first female principal and had been in the role for three years. The reason for her resignation remains unknown.
Mr Corkery, former John McGlashan College principal, has been acting principal since November last year.
Many challenges lie ahead for the Ranfurly school, including an $8million rebuild to take place over the next four or five years.
Board chairman Dave Hutton-Atkins said he was looking forward to working with Mr Ferdinands.
''We are very confident that he will guide us through the future of our rebuild and lead the school effectively.''
Mr Corkery will finish as acting principal at the end of this term, and Mr Ferdinands will take over at the start of term 2.
