Mrs Taute said she loved learning and after completing a teaching degree at Canterbury University she completed a post-grad and masters of education at Waikato University.
"I then went on to specialise in maths at Massey University and studied te reo at Te Wananga o Aotearoa," she said.
Since graduating in 2003 Mrs Taute has been teaching at Rotorua Intermediate School.
"It's been fantastic, I've had some fantastic mentors," she said.
New Whakarewarewa School principal Hinei Taute. Photo/Stephen Parker
Mrs Taute said working under Wai Morrison she learned traditionally, but she learnt the right way.
"To learn the nuts and bolts from someone with that much experience was amazing," she said.
"I will be sad to leave Rotorua Intermediate behind but [Rotorua Intermediate principal] Garry de Thierry has always challenged me, questioned me and encouraged me to take risks."
When she isn't in the classroom Mrs Taute said she was either with her children Tristan, 18, Siobhan, 16, Kahurangi, 9 and Tauroa, 6 or participating in sports.
"I am an athlete, I have represent New Zealand in touch and rugby league," she said.
"I still play competitive netball and do waka ama, I'm out on the water with my waka ama team three times a week."
Mrs Taute said being on the water was her out, her moment of peace.
When it comes to her goals for Whakarewarewa School Mrs Taute said the sky was the limit.
"That's where we wanna be, what's that going to look like, how are we going to get there," she said.
"My aspiration for the students would be most importantly that they have a sense of belonging. Pride in themselves, and in their kura. I'll always encourage them to take risks, and try something new."
Mrs Taute said she was excited to cross that bridge into the school and meet the needs of the Whakarewarewa whanau.
