Position Held:

Executive Director, Māori - Tumu Herenga

Centre:

Executive Office

“Motatau, Hikurangi tü te ao, tü te pö. Ngati Hine pukepukerau, he puke he rangatira, he puke he rangatira.”

Noted as a passionate and strategic leader committed to Māori development, Erima has tribal affiliations to Te Aupouri, Ngati Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua, Tainui, Te Atiawa, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Tuwharetoa.

Erima has had a long association with the public service having served in senior roles in The Department of Māori Affairs and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Deputy General Manager of the Iwi Transition Agency, and as Chief Executive Officer of the Māori Language Commission. Most recently he has been General Manager with the Ngati Hine Health Trust having returned home to the North at the request of his people. He currently sits on many local, regional and national boards, committees and organisations and has recently been appointed as the Māori Language Commissioner. He is also a Personal Advisor to the Māori King.

Piripi Rangihaeata

Position held:

Partnerships Manager

Centre:

Marketing Department

Whakatauki/ Whakatauaki:

Whaia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe mehe maunga teitei

Current function:

As Partnerships Manager, I primarily ensure that current contracts that the Open Polytechnic currently have with external organisations are maintained. Another function of this role is to seek new leads, covert these leads into opportunities, then into contracts as new business for the organisation.

Past experience:

I’ve been involved in the educational environment for approximately 10 years. I’ve worked at Wellington Polytechnic and Massey University as the Māori Liaison Officer, then as the Regional Coordinator at Te Wananga O Aotearoa, then moving into my current position. I also worked as a private contractor teaching Te Reo Māori in a variety of corporate and government departments in Wellington in which I have developed a vast network base which in turn has enabled current opportunities to develop.

In regards to qualifications gained, I completed my undergraduate qualification through Waikato University (Bachelor of Social Sciences), I then successfully completed my post graduate qualification through Massey University (Post Graduate Qualification Arts).

I enjoy kapa haka where I’m part of Whangara-mai-tawhiti, I competed at 7 national kapa haka festivals, I have travelled the world extensively for kapa haka where this year in April we travelled to Hawaii and USA to promote our country and culture to people of the world!

Contact:

If you have any questions, please fell free to contact me on (04) 913 5027.

Position held:

Kaiāraha Akoranga Māori

Centre:

The Learning Centre Te Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako

Current function:

I am the Learning Adviser for Māori and provide advice and support to students and tutors on aspects of learning and studying especially in the area of Māori education.

Past experience:

I have always been involved in the world of 'teaching', spending time in a number of areas e.g. many years in the compulsory sector; as an education adviser; working as an education resource publisher and as a Company Director of an Education Business.

My 'teaching' career has always been focused around Māori education and I am keenly interested in the factors that affect Māori learners. I have a passion for raising the achievement level of Mäori students.

My recent qualification was gained through Distance Learning and gave me an appreciation of learning in the distance mode.  At present I am completing a Postgraduate degree in Education.  I am keenly interested in educational policy and how it affects students, and in particular marginalised groups in New Zealand society. With that in mind, my postgraduate work at present is focused on the policy environment.

If you need guidance on course selection or you require information in context to Māori issues, or you just need someone to talk to...I am here for you!

Contact:

If you have any questions, please fell free to contact me on (04) 915 5821.