We are excited to introduce our new Te Ara Whakamana facilitators! They bring a wealth of knowledge across the education and social services sectors, and a strong committment to the Te Ara Whakamana kaupapa.
Simone Poi
Ngati Porou, Ngapuhi
BA Leisure Studies (University of Waikato) Post Graduate Diploma in Sports and Leisure Studies (University of Waikato) National Certificate in Adult Education (Level 5) New Zealand Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (Level 5) New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Aquatics) (Level 4)
Simone has enjoyed working in Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education, offering skills and knowledge in Sports, Outdoor Recreation, Kapa Haka and Te Ao Māori. Privileged to work with and represent whanau, hapu, hapori Maori, and Iwi within a Maori Health organisation and a Iwi organisation. Has been working with rangatahi at Matapuna Training Centre since 2014, as a tutor, a lead tutor and part-time tutor reliever. Also works part-time for the Bush Kura as a Senior Instructor and Project Operations Administrator.
Simone has implemented Te Ara Whakamana since 2015 with various age groups from diverse backgrounds within education and outside of an education environment, with rich and rewarding outcomes for participants and myself as an educator. The learning that comes from implementing Te Ara Whakamana is humbling, encourages one to be reflective of practice, participant centred, culturally appropriate, inclusive to all, rewarding, provides solution focused strategies for participants that can be used over their lifetime.
Shenita Prasad
Post Graduate Diploma in Education Leadership, Bachelor of Arts, (University of Auckland) Diploma in Teaching and Teacher-Librarianship (Auckland College of Education)
Shenita’s education career spans 29 years, including 21 years at Arahoe School where she has also served as part of the senior leadership team. During her time at Arahoe School, she has led Curriculum design and coordination, including working collaboratively on acceleration learning initiatives and reviewing school charter, and strategic vision.
Shenita is a proud Pasifika woman, educator and Wayfinder, and her Fijian-Indian-Tongan whakapapa allows her to walk in many worlds. She is a student-centred leader who places akonga at the heart and centre of learning conversations and decision-making. She is passionate about social justice and creating equity for vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Since the introduction of Te Ara Whakamana to her kura in 2017, Shenita has viewed this relationship-based kaupapa through the lens of curriculum. Her leadership with curriculum has had her integrate Te Ara Whakamana into the design and plan of culturally responsive programming. She believes it is critical that akonga are reflected in, and that akonga can see themselves, a school’s curriculum.
Olivia Martin
Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu kī te Wairoa
Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy)
Masters in Māori and Indigenous Studies (in progress)
Olivia has worked as a researcher with Ihi Research for two years, and has worked with a range of different services and agencies in the Health, Social, Education and Justice systems. Previously Olivia worked in therapeutic care and Education for Stand for Children. She has recently began as a facilitator for Te Ara Whakamana, and is passionate about increasing knowledge and visibility of pre-colonial understandings of Education, ways of being and Parenting.
Rochelle Burns
Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)
BSc Microbiology
Rochelle has been teaching in the Wellington area for 19 years, both in Porirua and Te Awakairangi ki Uta. As he tangata Tiriti, Rochelle works to ensure tikanga, Te Reo and kaupapa Māori are uplifted in her classroom and in the professional spaces she supports. Te Ara Whakamana has played a major part in guiding this cultural lens. Rochelle has been strengthening her knowledge and understanding of this kaupapa since 2020 and is able to provide a practical classroom approach to establishing the model.