Westland High School principal Trevor Jones is to be replaced six months after teaching staff took a vote of no confidence in him.
Ministry of Education limited statutory manager Liz Clark said Mr Jones had not been "stood down", but was on leave.
In a short statement released on Saturday, Ms Clark said employment matters were private.
"However, I can confirm that Trevor Jones is currently on leave for personal reasons."
The school has two deputy principals, Linda Hutt and Chris Manuel, but a relieving principal would be appointed to lead the school, Ms Clark said.
"I will be appointing an experienced relieving principal as acting principal during the leave period. This will enable the deputy principals to continue to focus on their portfolios."
She did not say how long the leave period would last.
Mr Jones did not return phone calls.
The Ministry of Education said it could not comment on the employments status of staff, as it was not responsible for employment at the school.
In March this year, the ministry appointed a limited statutory manager to take over all staff and financial functions from the board of trustees, following the vote of no confidence by union members of the Post Primary Teacher Association, representing most teachers at the school, and ongoing reports of low staff morale.
Senior students also brought tensions to light recently in an open letter to the board about staff stress and the effect it was having on student achievement.
Those concerns were backed up in the recent Education Review office (ERO) report, which highlighted "significant shortcomings" in the school leadership, management and governance.
Ms Clark said that "positive" changes were being made and would be announced to the school community early this week.
- By Janna Sherman of the Hokitika Guardian
