James Cook High School is a large decile 1 secondary school in Manurewa in South Auckland that has the largest number of Maori students in New Zealand and a significant number of Pasifika students on its roll.
She said trustees were impressed with Mr Green's vision for school leadership as well as the way he had articulated his educational philosophy of how schools can be positive "change agents" in the lives of young people.
As well as commitment to his work, Mr Green also competes in triathlons, writes poetry, and is a keen home renovator and film-maker.
Mr Green said he was "delighted" to have been selected to lead Makoura College as principal.
"The time is right for me to step up to the role of principal and Makoura College's mission, motto and tikanga resonates with me both personally and professionally."
Mr Hullena took the reins at Makoura College in 2009 after the school board resigned and a commissioner was appointed.
Trustees had blamed a falling roll and reduced funding for their recommendation the school close, although they reversed their decision in the face of a groundswell of community support.
The roll count in August at the decile 3 college was about 350 students, including the Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit, which was a 30 per cent increase on the 220 students enrolled the day Mr Hullena started.
The school had been this year ranked decile 3 from decile 2 last year.
Mr Hullena congratulated trustees on the appointment and said he was keen to work with Mr Green "to ensure a smooth transition into this new chapter of Makoura's story".
