Our Team
Meet our
Whānau.
Together, we bring experience from classrooms, school leadership, community organisations, philanthropy and business. Guided by kaupapa Māori and partnership with whānau and communities, we grow great teachers and leaders who serve in places of highest need.
Our Board and executive team hold us to ambitious standards of impact, equity, and accountability. As an independent, locally led organisation learning with peers across the Teach For All network, we keep our eyes on long-term system change so that investments in education accelerate positive change for ākonga, their families, and their communities throughout Aotearoa.
Barbara Ala’alatoa
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. Barbara is long term champion of equity, excellence and leadership and holds a well earned NZ Order of Merit for her services to education.
Bridget Best
Bringing decades of leadership in philanthropy and governance, Bridget has been a founding influence at Ako Mātātupu, playing a pivotal role in HR strategy, fundraising, and partnerships. Her deep commitment continues to shape our kaupapa and support our people.
Chris Sullivan
With over 15 years 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.
Dr Edmond Fehoko
Dr Edmond Fehoko is a proud Tongan, born and raised in NZ. Dr Fehoko is an active community leader and currently a Senior Lecturer (Human Nutrition) and Associate Dean Pacific (Sciences) at the University of Otago. He has received numerous awards for his services to Pacific education and health research.
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 is an experienced governance leader and the Principal of Spotswood College. She has taught across all education sectors and is recognised for her transformative leadership and commitment to equitable, values-led education in Aotearoa.
Tony Caughey
Tony has been a director and chairman of a number of public and private companies, and has served as a trustee and chairman of two not-for-profit trusts in the education sector. In 2014 he was appointed an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to education and business.
Liam Munday
Liam has been part of Ako Mātātupu for over a decade, contributing to recruitment, strategy, operations and fundraising. Deeply rooted in Ako Mātātupu, Liam is driven by a commitment to support all young people in Aotearoa to realise their full
Jono Smith
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.
Bridget Best
Bringing decades of leadership in philanthropy and governance, Bridget has been a founding influence at Ako Mātātupu, playing a pivotal role in HR strategy, fundraising, and partnerships. Her deep commitment continues to shape our kaupapa and support our people.
Michelle Johansson
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.
Nadeen Papali’i
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.
Supported By
Billy Revell
A firm believer of servant leadership, Billy strives in his journey to create safe and creative spaces for others to tell their story whilst facilitating the growth of our village (community).
Charles Looker
A Kaihautū is one who keeps the timing for paddlers on their voyage; so does Charles in ensuring that the needs for Māori are met at every stage of the kaupapa, so that the paddlers have all that they need to continue their journey.
Nadeen Papali’i
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.
Christina Tatafu
I am a weaver of pathways,guiding the threads of our kaupapa into harmony.I carry manaaki like a soft cloak,laying it down so others may stand tall.I steady the flow of the mahi,holding space where wairua, learning, and people can breathe.
Richard Watkinson
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.
Adrienne Likatau
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.
Secondary School Programme
Nyra Marshall
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.
Brent Dunn
E rere ana taku aho toto mai te Norta, Hokianga whakapau karakia. I am a C16 kairapu and have returned to Ako Mātātupu to share my experiences as a kaiako to support our participants as they shape a better future for our tauira.
Kristina Te Whata
Krisitina 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.
Denyce Su’a
Dedicated to nurturing creative and brave learning spaces inside and outside our classes, Denyce also leads our Kairapu Network, working to ensure our alumni continue to feel connected with our kaupapa and supported in their next adventure.
Sam Siliasau
Ni sa bula vinaka! I am on secondment from Wesley College. One of the Kaihāpia and hope to positively contribute to such an exceptional movement
Janel Tolentino
Janel believes in the ripple effect. She is driven to contribute towards disrupting the flow of the educational landscape through empowerment and service. As a Kairapu (Ururoa – C20), Janel is honoured to work for and with Ako Mātātupu
David Ryan
Why am I here? It’s all about the next generation. Having been a participant and now part of the team, I am here to serve and do my part in order to give the next generation every opportunity to succeed.
Pate Fihaki
I believe kaiako bridge the gap between the powerful and the powerless. My role is to actively support our kaiako to ensure that education is truly accessible for all tauira.
Katie Poynter
After 16 years teaching and leading in Visual Arts, I’ve learned that curiosity, creativity and connectedness can drive great educators and create positive change. My drive is to support aspiring educational leaders to be the best they can be.
Primary School Programme
Linda Brown
John ‘Ofanoa
Born in Tonga, raised in South Auckland, I am passionate about creating meaningful change through education. I believe learning opens doors, shifts perspectives and strengthens communities. I hope to inspire change through service by equipping the next wave of teachers with the tools, confidence and mindset they need to make a lasting impact.
Recruitment Team
Billy Revell
A firm believer of servant leadership, Billy strives in his journey to create safe and creative spaces for others to tell their story whilst facilitating the growth of our village (community).
Anne Taefu
Anne helps lead recruitment operations at Ako Mātātupu, ensuring a smooth, values-led experience. With a background in academic support and bicultural practice, she creates mana-enhancing spaces where people feel seen, supported and purposeful.
Mike Nahu
An experienced secondary school teacher, Mike now supports our rangatahi as a recruiter for Ako Mātātupu. He believes equitable and nurturing learning spaces are vital for student growth and can only be created by informed and compassionate kaiako.
Miliama Setefano
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.
Keekah Lata
Rooted in culture and guided by tautua, our recruitment honours identities and journeys, helping people reach their potential to uplift, serve, and create lasting impact in our community.
Michelle Johansson
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.
Tony Patolo
Tony is committed to fostering safe spaces for young people to thrive as their authentic selves within our education system. He has experience teaching in both the Secondary and Tertiary sectors.
Billy Revell
A firm believer of servant leadership, Billy strives in his journey to create safe and creative spaces for others to tell their story whilst facilitating the growth of our village (community).
Jono Smith
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.
Donna Toailoa
Donna works to support the organisation in any way that ensures Ako Mātātupu works at its best.
Natalie Knight
Bina Mehta
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.
Lai Peteli
I am dedicated to walking alongside our participants on their Ako Mātātupu journey. I care deeply about how they experience their time with us and that they love being a part of this waka that champions transformative change.
Kahu Iupati
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.
Krishna Patel
Krishna is passionate about Aotearoa and its people and believes in education’s ability to uplift and grow capability. She brings her energy, heart and skills to Ako Mātātupu to serve the kaupapa. He aha te mea nui? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata!
