Role

Erin is the Regional Education Leader for Te Whanganui-a-Tara. In her role as Regional Education Leader she manages the takiwā ako, as a central contact point for tauira in the Wellington Region. She provides pastoral care and networking opportunities through her connections with students, kaiako, liaison kaiako in early childhood centres. She also teaches in the BTch ECE programme in the kaiako side of this role.

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Education Background

Erin has worked for almost 30 years as an early childhood kaiako and centre leader, in a range of community and private centre structures and spent many years in Kaupapa Māori centres. Most recently she worked for three years at the Ministry of Education.

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Research Background

Erin’s research interests include reo acquisition and successful kaupapa Māori initiatives and innovations in education. She has begun to explore the conditions for success of Māori and Pacific tauira to achieve educational success in centres, schools and tertiary education environments. This interest began through study and work regarding cultural responsivity in education settings and pedagogy.

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Teaching Interests

Erin has a passion for te reo Māori revitalization, indigenous knowledge and ways of being, and developing cultural responsiveness in education that is pertinent to the people of Aotearoa. She believes connecting with people, places and things brings about an inner wellbeing, health and sense of belonging that we as human beings need.

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