Our Trustees
Michele Whiting
MNZM (Chairperson)
Michele has had a lengthy career in education. She led the re-establishment of the Porirua East Group of Principals in 2009, coordinating professional development in literacy and moderation across schools, as well as setting up an across cluster project to improve attendance. This work became a strong foundation for the Porirua East Kāhui Ako aiming to build collaboration and consistency of high quality teaching and learning across schools. Enabling whānau to invest in and engage with their children’s digital education through the work of Te Mana o Kupe Trust has been a key focus for Michele in the last 5 years. There is growing evidence of improved student voice, agency and identity and achievement in writing in the participating schools. Michele has also been a first-time principal mentor and was actively involved in the School Libraries Association (SLANZA), preparing and presenting the SLANZA Submission to the Education and Science Select Committee on the Inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy in 2013. Since 2020 she has been involved in a number of projects for the Ministry of Education including participation in development the Aotearoa/New Zealand Histories curriculum and its place in the refreshed social sciences curriculum.
Geoff Hayward
Ngati Whakaue
Geoff is a recent addition to the Board. A resident of Titahi Bay, he is a former Co-Chair of the Titahi Bay Beach Festival, a former Secretary of the Titahi Bay Community Group as well as formerly on the boards of Te Ara Moana and the Porirua City Community IT Education Trust. Geoff still remembers his first computer, a second-hand laptop, and was old enough to see the birth of the World Wide Web into the mainstream. A graduate of both the University of Waikato (Master of Science) and Victoria University of Wellington (Graduate Diploma of Arts), Geoff’s connection with technology was founded as a child, tinkering in his Dad’s shed. Amongst his many pursuits, he likes to restore and up-cycle vintage valve radios. “The world of today relies upon a connection to our whenua and each other but also to modern technology, and that can be a barrier for many whanau. If we want to see tamariki thrive, then we need to make sure that they have the tools to connect and learn”.
Lealamanu’a Aiga Caroline Mareko
NZOM
Appointed to the board in 2016, Caroline has a strong education background, with nearly two decades teaching experience in Porirua primary schools. Caroline is a Senior Manager for Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens, and Chairperson of the Wellington Region Pasifika Services Board. She is Whānau Manaaki’s manager of communities and participation.She is involved with Kapiti Mana Pasifika Services Network. She has held many voluntary committee and board positions. She was a member of the National Executive of the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa and represented the Institute on the Council of Pacific Education Executive. She leads and organises events for pinkalicious, which promotes health and wellbeing for Pacific women. Caroline was the Central South region Pacific Education Coordinator at the Ministry of Education, overseeing the Pasifika Education Plan.
Don Rangi
Q.S.M
Ngati Porou ICANZ (now rebranded) [TA Retired] Born at the Waipiro Bay Hospital on the East coast. Educated at Waiomatatini Native School (1946-1950) and Tiki Tiki Maori District High School (1951-1958). Don moved to wellington in 1959 for employment prospects, commencing work as a public servant in the Treasury. He retired from treasury in 2013. He is chaplain at the Capital Coast District Health Board, Wellington and an Archdeacon of the Haahi Mihingare faith in the Poneke Rohe.
Rob McIntosh
Education and Public Policy Strategist
Rob currently works as an education consultant, providing advice for New Zealand entities and also doing some work internationally, including on education aid programmes in the Pacific. A particular focus for Rob through all his education work is how teaching and learning need to continue to change to meet the needs of every learner in a rapidly changing world. Prior to moving into consultancy, Rob was for fifteen years a Deputy Secretary in the New Zealand Ministry of Education, working on policy in both the schooling and tertiary education sectors as well as broader system strategy. In recent years he has also acted as the Chief Executive of the Education Review Office and the Director of the New Zealand Teachers Council.
Rhys McKinley
Principal of Windley School
Rhys is principal of Windley School and has represented the Te Mana o Kupe schools on the Trust since 2019. The Whānau Safe Online project was established at Windley and the successful engagement with whānau at the school has provided a model of how to work with families in the digital space for other schools in the area.
Our Admin Team
Jasmine Nichols
Office Administrator
Jasmine is our Officer Administrator for Te Mana o Kupe, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. Her attention to detail and commitment to efficiency helps us to operate effectively and maximise our resources. Jasmine is a true team player, always willing to lend a hand and support her colleagues in any way she can. Her exceptional organisational skills ensure that all our administrative tasks are handled smoothly and efficiently, allowing us to focus on our mission of making a difference in the lives of those we serve. With her positive attitude and excellent communication skills, Jasmine is an integral part of our team and a driving force behind our success.
Our Advisors
Tricia Walbridge
Founding Member
Tricia was a founding member of the Trust in 2013. In her professional life she was Executive Director of the Victoria University Foundation for over 20 years, focusing on fundraising for the University. She has been a trustee of the J R McKenzie Trust and of the Wellington Rotary Charitable Trust and is closely involved with Change Makers Refugee Forum and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. While Tricia has stepped down from trusteeship, she has remained involved in Te Mana o Kupe, giving her time to secretarial work and supporting grant applications.
