Ngā Tau Tuangahuru Team
Study Project Team - the project team works closely with study partners to design and implement the study.
Dr Fiona Cram
Māori Lead (Ngāti Pahauwera – Kahungunu) Katoa Ltd
Katoa Ltd is a Māori - Indigenous research organisation that undertakes Kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) research and evaluation, as well as offering a range of research and evaluation training. Katoa Ltd was established in 2003 by Dr Fiona Cram. Contact Fiona on: fionac@katoa.net.nz
Dr Tanya Samu
Pacific Lead (University of Auckland)
Tanya’s prior experiences include teaching and leadership in geography and social studies within secondary schools in Samoa and New Zealand; writing social studies textbooks, and national curriculum development. Tanya has just over twenty years experience in under-graduate and graduate teaching, including course development and coordination. Prior to the establishment of the Faculty of Education & Social Work in late 2004, Tanya’s experiences within the tertiary sector focused on teacher education and collaborative research projects in Pacific and Pasifika education – beginning with the former School of Education of the University of Auckland (1996-2000; 2002-2003), and then with the former Auckland College of Education (2004). In addition to her current research, teaching and service (as detailed in the profile below ), Tanya has contributed to international curriculum development and teacher capacity building education projects in Samoa, Tonga, Kyrgyzstan, Nauru and Myanmar (current). You can contact Tanya on: t.samu@auckland.ac.nz
Dr Reremoana Theodore
Longitudinal Advisor (National Centre for Lifecourse Research, University of Otago)
Dr Reremoana (Moana) Theodore is the Co-Director of the National Centre for Lifecourse Research (NCLR), and a member of the Royal Society Te Apārangi Council. Moana is an inaugural HRC Māori Health Research Emerging Leader Fellow. She is an Investigator on the Graduate Longitudinal Study NZ (GLSNZ) and Te Kura Mai i Tawhiti – a Māori community research programme. She is a Co-Investigator on the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study and an Associate Investigator in Brain Research New Zealand. Moana is a member of the University of Otago Te Poutama Māori (Māori academic staff caucus), an Associate Investigator on the University of Otago Poutama Ara Rau Research Theme and a member of the University of Otago Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre. Moana is a former HRC Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research interests include lifecourse research, Māori health and education, child health and development and the development of chronic disease. You can contact Moana on: moana.theodore@otago.ac.nz
Rachael Trotmon
Study Coordinator (Centre for Social Impact)
Rachael Trotman provides the Centre with research support, and specialist advice on understanding impact and evaluation. She is a social researcher and evaluator whose work includes facilitation, mentoring, writing and advisory work for a range of organisations, from grass roots community groups to philanthropic bodies and government agencies. Her passions are supporting people to know and show the difference they make and undertaking research and evaluative work that effects positive change in the world. Rachael holds an MA (Hons) and a post-graduate diploma in Human Ecology. You can contact Rachael on: Rachael.Trotman@csinz.org
Research Team - the research team members who interview the children, young people and their families taking part in the study were identified by and drawn from our five study partners.
Jaycee Tipene-Thomas
Te Kāpehu Whetu Interviewer
Kia ora Partner and mother to three wonderful children and from a humble rural community in Northland, I whakapapa to Ngati Hine within Ngapuhi, as well as Ngāti Kahungungu of the Hawkes Bay. Passionate about research and environmental science, I have a BA in applied science majoring in biodiversity management, a diploma in eco tourism and a diploma and certificate in conservation and environmental management. Research, both environmental and social is important. I believe, without a healthy functioning environment it is difficult to maintain a healthy society (and vice versa). Being a part of the research team and contributing to the study is extremely rewarding. Getting out into a variety of communities and meeting a wide range of people has been priceless.
Tracey Sharp
Rise UP Trust Interviewer
Ni sa bula vinaka It is such a privilege to be involved in this research journey. Listening to the stories, dreams and aspirations of our whanau and students is a great inspiration, and a solid foundation for conversations about what success means, and how our Maori and Pacific students, families and communities can be supported to achieve that success in Aotearoa. I am a born and bred Aucklander of Fijian and Pakeha descent. I have a BA from Auckland University in politics and sociology, and an MA in sociology. I grew up in South Auckland, and currently live in the Titirangi bush with my husband and two wonderful sons. My sons inspire me daily to add my own small part to a bright future for our youth. At the heart of success and wellbeing are, I believe, strong relationships. I would like to thank the students, families and schools for welcoming our presence in their lives; the wonderful research team for their support and friendship; and Foundation North for this opportunity to deepen my understanding and to be a part of this very important conversation. He waka eke noa.
Monalisa Owen
Rise UP Trust Interviewer
Hi I’m Monalisa. I love seeing people, families and communities doing well. I think it’s neat when people define “doing well” on their own terms – and that looks different for all of us. Born and bred in New Zealand I consider myself to be a proud Kiwi and second generation Samoan. I’m living out my grandparents dreams who came to New Zealand in the 1950’s in hopes for a better life, good education, raising a family and having a love and appreciation for this country and its people. Married to the man of my dreams, we have two beautiful children and will continue to pass on this legacy to our kids, for them keep going forward and to do even greater things than we have been able to achieve. It’s been a real pleasure to meet so many different families as one of the Community Researchers and to gain insight into how each family defines success. Thank you for allowing me into your space and for your participation into this study. Thank you also to Foundation North for giving me the opportunity.
Darlene Cameron
Sylvia Park Interviewer
Kia Ora my name is Darlene Cameron (nee Matiu). I have been involved in education for 20 years within the community of Otahuhu. I trained as a student with Te Kura Takiura o Tamaki Makaurau, Kura Kaupapa Māori. I spent 15 years at Te Kura Takawaenga o Otahuhu (Otahuhu Intermediate School) which built the foundations of my career pathway and professionalism as a teacher in education. In 2011 I was offered the HOD Maori position at Otahuhu College I completed my Masters in Education in 2018. Since then I have been relieving at different schools and am currently at UNITEC supporting Māori students. Meeting and interviewing Māori and Pasifika whānau is a privilege and an inspiring experience. It allowed me to meet our whānau, listen to their stories and to share their aspirations for their whānau, tamariki and educational provider. A highlight is identifying commonalities about success, expectations, challenges and whānau insights to moving forward.
Ana Manu
Sylvia Park Interviewer
Malo e lelei I joined this team in 2018, interviewing families and children from Sylvia Park School. I became involved initially as part of Syvlia Park’s Mutukaora programme, which was supported by the Māori and Pacific Education Initiative of Foundation North. I was a Mum at Sylvia Park School and Mutukaroa really changed the lives of my children and myself (see www.foundationnorth.org.nz/stories/catalysts-for-change/sylvia-park-school/ for more on this). I became the HIPPY Coordinator at Sylvia Park School through Mutukaroa and I am passionate about supporting families to engage with their children’s learning. Interviewing families and children is humbling and rewarding. Sharing family journeys, dreams and experiences through this study is wonderful to be a part of.
Bronwyn Hetaraka
Oceania Careers Academy Interviewer
Tēnā koutou e te whānau Unlocking our purpose and following the plans of the lord has lead me to Holy Cross Catholic School in February 2016 where I am currently based. After fifteen years in the corporate sector I entered the profession of teaching with a desire to be a part of the resurgence in Te Reo Māori, hopeful to be an initiator and an agent of change within our schools. Holding a B.Ed specialising in Te Huarahi Māori (Māori pathway) my heart is to share our language Te Reo Māori me о̄na tikanga in an engaging way for all my learners. With strong tribal ties to Te Muriwhenua, the far north I am of Te Aupо̄uri, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Takato, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Tararā decent on my father's side, and Ngati Porou through my mother. My son Bailey, family, friends, church commitments and tutoring makes for a very active life.
Yayleen Hubbard
Manaiakalani Interviewer
Kia ora koutou – I am a researcher with the Manaiakalani families in the study. When I first joined the study in 2017 I was working for Manaiakalani Education Trust with families, supporting them to become ‘digital households’, access the Internet and support their children’s learning at home. When families engage with their children’s school and learning great things can happen, including positive changes for the adults in families. It is a privilege meeting with and talking to these families, and seeing how resourceful and strong they are.