Lynne Harata Te-Aika
Chairperson
Lynne is a Trustee for Matapopore Charitable Trust and gives cultural advice for the Trust in Te Reo Māori, Tikanga Māori and Cultural Design. She is currently working as an education and cultural consultant and coordinating Te Ahu o Te Reo.
Lynne was the General Manager, Te Taumatua-Culture and Identity for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu 2016-2020. She looked after teams of staff in Te Reo Māori-Kotahi Mano Kāika; Tribal Archives, and Cultural Mapping, Whakapapa-Tribal Genealogy Register, and the Ngāi Tahu Funds which distributes out funds for Cultural Development.
She was also the former Head of School Aotahi: Māori & Indigenous Studies in the College of Arts at the University of Canterbury, and the former Head of School – Māori, Social & Cultural Studies, at the College of Education, also at the University of Canterbury. 2007-2015
Her passion is for te reo Māori language and cultural revitalisation and education leadership for Ngāi Tahu and Māori whānau, hapū and iwi.
Lynne is a Marae Trustee for Tuahiwi Marae and Chair of Ngāi Tūāhuriri Education. She was awarded the MNZM -Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for her contribution to te reo māori and education.
Nicole Manawatu-Brennan
Director
Nicole Manawatu-Brennan is a born and raised Tuahiwi Pā kid. Nicole has served as a member of the Tuahiwi Education Team for more than a decade and is passionate about Māori success in education and beyond.
Nicole is currently the Executive Director, Operations for the New Zealand Carbon Group and brings more than 20 years experience in both public and private sector and has successfully delivered technically challenging and socially significant projects including Working for families, KiwiSaver and Anchor projects for the Christchurch rebuild.
Nicole manages the Kaitoko Matauranga on behalf of the Education Team and leads the Ngāi Tahu Education Ambassadors Project.
Nicole is a member of the Institute of Directors and holds a number of directorships across Education, Health and Environment.
Melanie Taite-Pitama
Director
Melanie has been a longstanding member of the Tuahiwi Education team working to achieve the team's vision - Aroha ki te Tangata, kei tua o Rakiora. She has worked in the primary and secondary sectors (mainstream and Māori medium), tertiary and government with leadership responsibility across Aotearoa.
Mel is an experienced governor and was most recently the recently the Deputy Chair for The Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd. She holds a Masters in Māori and Indigenous Leadership Director of Inspire in Education and advisor to various school boards and leaders.
She was the former Tumuaki (Principal) leading Te Kura o Tuahiwi and has worked at The University of Canterbury as a curriculum designer and specialist in mathematics and iwi relationships. Melanie is currently working at the Ministry of Education as Pou Ārahi, a member of the Māori Senior Leadership Team in Wellington.
Mel's passion for education, Te Reo Māori and success for Māori learners is evident in her facilitation style. She is able to engage participants with her wealth of knowledge and skill and brings current education knowledge to the team.