Board of Trustees

Barbara Alaalatoa ONZM (Board Chair)

Barbara Alaalatoa ONZM (Board Chair)

Former Principal and Chairperson of the Education Council, Barbara believes, "O le ala i le pule o le tautua" – The pathway to leadership is through service. A long term champion of equity, excellence and leadership, Barbara recently earned the NZ Order of Merit for her services to education.

Dr Edmond Fehoko

Dr Edmond Fehoko

Dr Edmond Fehoko is a proud Tongan, born and raised in New Zealand. Edmond is an active Community Leader with a Ph.D. in Public Health, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at Otago University. Edmond has received numerous awards for his services in Pacific Education and Health Research.

Tony Caughey ONZM

Tony Caughey ONZM

Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to education and business, Tony has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and is an experienced CEO and company director. Tony is a past chair of the Young Enterprise Trust and current chair of the Play it Strange Trust.

Professor Jenny Lee Morgan

Professor Jenny Lee Morgan

Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan is an educator, author, and researcher who is currently the Managing Director of Pūrangakura. Undertaking tertiary leadership roles, producing high-quality research, and contributing to Māori education earned her the Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award (NZARE).

Nicola Ngarewa

Nicola Ngarewa

Nicola is the Principal at Spotswood College, Te Aho O Te Kura Pounamu Chair, a Toi Foundation board member and former Chair of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. She has taught in all education sectors and has received prestigious recognitions for her transformative work in education.

Dr Areti Metuamate

Dr Areti Metuamate

Areti (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Haua & Cook Islander) is CEO of Te Kupenga, the Catholic tertiary institute of New Zealand. He is a member of a number of boards in Australia and New Zealand and has held roles in Government in Wellington and Canberra.

Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan

With over 15 years of experience directing, consulting, and managing projects in various sectors, Chris is an expert in learning design, partner, and change management. A former teacher, he is the leader of business development at Springboard Trust and a trustee of the NZ Youth Mentoring Network.

How we were founded

Ako Mātātupu: Teach First NZ was founded in 2011.

The programme was the result of collaboration among a number of individuals and groups from across the political spectrum and from all sectors of society.

The establishment was led by Shaun Sutton, founding CEO, and Deborah George, founding Board chair, and both remain actively involved today.


The flagship programme has been supported by the Ministry of Education throughout this time, and the University of Auckland was the founding tertiary partner, delivering the academic element of the programme until 2018.


The programme was inspired by the Teach First programme that has operated in England and Wales since 2003, and created for the Aotearoa New Zealand context.


The organisation has significant gratitude for the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work, and in particular Dr Ngaire Hoben, Director of Secondary Initial Teacher Education, and Professor Graeme Aitken, Dean of Education until 2018, for their instrumental work in developing and delivering the academic programme from 2012 to 2018.

How we were founded

Meet the team

Liam Munday - Kaitiaki | CEO

Liam Munday - Kaitiaki | CEO

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Jono Smith - Te Mataiho | Deputy Chief Executive

Jono Smith - Te Mataiho | Deputy Chief Executive

Jono works to support the network of schools who employ Teach First NZ Programme participants, to effectively support participants to have a positive impact on students and school communities.

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Michelle Johansson - Te Tumu | Acting Director of Education

Michelle Johansson - Te Tumu | Acting Director of Education

Michelle is committed to holding courageous spaces for our teachers to step up and change the world. She is particularly interested in the spaces where Education and Equity meet for Pasifika peoples.

[email protected]

Billy Revell - Pule o le Nu’u | Community Lead

Billy Revell - Pule o le Nu’u | Community Lead

A firm believer of servant-leadership, Billy strives in his journey with us to create safe and creative spaces to allow others to tell their story whilst facilitating the growth of our village (Community).

[email protected]

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Charles Looker - Kaihautū | Te Awekura

Charles Looker - Kaihautū | Te Awekura

A Kaihautū is one who keeps the timing for paddlers on their voyage; so does Charles in ensuring that needs for Māori are met at every stage of the kaupapa, so that our paddlers have all that they need to continue their journey.

[email protected]

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Lee Devenish - Kāuru Uru Kahika | Director of Pre-Programme

Lee Devenish - Kāuru Uru Kahika | Director of Pre-Programme

Lee is passionate about ensuring all students in Aotearoa reach their potential. His role is to oversee the Pre-Programme journey for our participants from attraction and recruitment through to securing employment with one of our partner schools.

[email protected]

Nadeen Papali'i - Kāuru Oro | Programme Lead

Nadeen Papali'i - Kāuru Oro | Programme Lead

Why am I here?:
Supporting teachers on the frontline in the classroom is an effective and efficient way to reach the masses of students. I love playing my part.

[email protected]

Richard Watkinson - Aka Tuakana | Mentor Manager

Richard Watkinson - Aka Tuakana | Mentor Manager

Richard works to support our network of in-school mentors as they develop the teaching and leadership skills of our participants. He has led English and Media Studies departments in the UK and Aotearoa, and more recently worked as a PLD facilitator.

[email protected]

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Alysha Bentley - Taki Akatoro | Recruitment Lead

Alysha Bentley - Taki Akatoro | Recruitment Lead

Alysha’s role is all about connecting with people who want to become change makers in the education system. Alysha helps make this dream come true by supporting them through the application process to join the Ako Mātatupu whānau.

[email protected]

Adrienne Likatau - Te Rauora | Counsellor

Adrienne Likatau - Te Rauora | Counsellor

It is Adrienne's intention to hold a safe space for every brave soul who chooses to connect with her, and the stories they share. She hopes to facilitate therapeutic talanoa that offers hope, and reconnects people, with a healthy sense of wellbeing.

[email protected]

Jayden Matchitt - Kāuru Whakairoiro | Information and Systems Manager

Jayden Matchitt - Kāuru Whakairoiro | Information and Systems Manager

Jayden aims to serve at Ako Mātātupu by ensuring the systems and processes reflect best practice and that participants are well cared for and resourced to succeed in their teaching journey.

[email protected]

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Anne Taefu - Paruauru | Community of Care Coordinator

Anne Taefu - Paruauru | Community of Care Coordinator

Anne embodies 'Tausi le Vā' as a nurturer of relationships, offering both pastoral and academic support to participants in the Te Māra Pre-programme space. She helps develop their postgraduate skills, preparing them for their learning journey ahead.

[email protected]

Mike Nahu - Te Torotoro | Recruiter

Mike Nahu - Te Torotoro | Recruiter

An experienced secondary school teacher, Mike now supports our rangatahi as a recruiter at Ako Mātātupu. He believes equitable and nurturing learning spaces are vital for student growth and can only be created by informed and compassionate kaiako.

[email protected]

Miliama Setefano - Te Torotoro | Recruiter

Miliama Setefano - Te Torotoro | Recruiter

Miliama is passionate about authentic storytelling . She aims to listen to your lived experiences, hopes and dreams and translates those precious gems to awhi you during the application process.

[email protected]

Nyra Marshall - Kaihautū / Kaihāpai / Pouhāpai/ Rauhāpai | Kaihautū & Teacher Educator

Nyra Marshall - Kaihautū / Kaihāpai / Pouhāpai/ Rauhāpai | Kaihautū & Teacher Educator

A descendant of Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu, Nyra believes that education is the key platform to advance Māori success. She belongs to C15, is part of the Kairapu network, and taught at Aorere College for five years.

[email protected]

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Kristina Te Whata - Kaihautū me Kaihāpai | Kaihautū & Teacher Educator

Kristina Te Whata - Kaihautū me Kaihāpai | Kaihautū & Teacher Educator

Tēnā koutou, he maramara nō Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui me Ateria e mihi atu ana. Kristina is a C14 Kairapu who taught te reo Māori for 10 years and advocates for education as a space for critical consciousness and empowering rangatahi.

[email protected]

Brent Dunn | Kaihapāi and Kaihautū

Brent Dunn | Kaihapāi and Kaihautū

E rere ana taku aho toto mai te Norta, Hokianga whakapau karakia, kia ora Ko Brent Dunn tōku ingoa. I am a C16 kairapu, I have come back to Ako Matātupu to share my experiences as a Kaiako and support you as you shape a better future for our tauira.

[email protected]

Penisimani Tapueluelu - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Penisimani Tapueluelu - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Mālō e lelei! With a decade of experience, Peni believes in creating a safe and positive environment before any learning happens. He brings his practical knowledge in dealing with mainly Pasifika learners as a whole and a community.

[email protected]

Denyce Su'a - Kaihāpai |  Teacher Educator

Denyce Su'a - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Dedicated to nurturing creative and brave learning spaces inside and outside our classrooms, Denyce also leads our Kairapu Network, working to ensure our alumni continue to feel connected with our kaupapa and supported in their next adventure.

[email protected]

Sam Siliasau - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Sam Siliasau - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Ni sa bula vinaka! I am on secondment from Wesley College for 2022. One of the Kaihāpai | Programme Manager and hope to positively contribute to such an exceptional movement.

[email protected]

Elmerie Lafaele - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Elmerie Lafaele - Kaihāpai | Teacher Educator

Elmerie is passionate about guiding teachers in developing their unique teaching styles to best serve learners. With nearly 10 years of classroom experience, she believes strong, collaborative relationships are key to student engagement and success.

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Christina Tatafu - Kairuruku | Programme Coordinator

Christina Tatafu - Kairuruku | Programme Coordinator

Christina (Dinah) works to support the Teacher Education team.

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Kahu Iupati - Kāuru Tupurawa me te Pae Korokī | Fundraising & Communications Manager

Kahu Iupati - Kāuru Tupurawa me te Pae Korokī | Fundraising & Communications Manager

Kahu is passionate about Māori and Pasifika success and comes with a wealth of experience within the not-for-profit space. Her goal is to utilize her skills to support the growth & sustainability of Ako Mātātupu.

[email protected]

Natalie Knight - Kāuru Ahurawa | Finance Manager

Natalie Knight - Kāuru Ahurawa | Finance Manager

Finance Manager of Ako Mātātupu

[email protected]

Bina Mehta - Rauwhiti Puna | Payroll and Accounts Manager

Bina Mehta - Rauwhiti Puna | Payroll and Accounts Manager

Bina is passionate about education and the impact it has on young people. She joined the Ako Mātātupu team in 2015, and supports the organisation to keep our accounts and finances in order.

[email protected]

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Donna Toailoa - Te Rauwhiti Ako Mātātupu | Ako Mātātupu Administrator

Donna Toailoa - Te Rauwhiti Ako Mātātupu | Ako Mātātupu Administrator

Donna works to support the organisation in any way that ensures Ako Mātātupu works at its best.

[email protected]

Take our eligibility quiz

Are you eligible to join our flagship programme? Our quiz will help you understand whether you meet our eligibility criteria as well as what subjects you may be able to teach.

Take the eligibility quiz!

Request an info pack

If you would like to find out more about our programme, how it works and who we are looking for, we have created an information pack just for you!

Request an info pack!