Karen Pewhairangi - Kaiako Te Tairāwhiti

Karen has worked extensively with Kura Kaupapa Māori, Wharekura, Kura Reo, Puna Reo and Early Childhood Education centres in Te Tairawhiti for the past 20 years. In 2001, Karen was appointed as the Maths advisers for Te Tairawhiti. The following year she was appointed as the National Coordinator for Pangarau. Her key responsibilities were to develop a National Pangarau facilitator team and develop teaching and learning resources.

In 2006, Karen returned home to Ngati Porou to project manage the development of the Ngati Porou Curriculum for Ngati Porou learning centres. In this role her key responsibilities were to facilitate and support professional development for Ngati Porou learning centres to work with Ngati Porou whanau, hapu and marae communities. From 2012-2016, Karen worked closely with Ngati Porou whanau, hapu, and marae communities, the Pa Wananga a Ruataupare was developed from this initiative. Karen was invited by Marty to participate in the Kōkiri programme, to accelerate the aspirations of Pākirikiri Wānanga (Karen’s vehicle for Māori education in Te Tairawhiti) and support Papa Taiao develop their Wānanga approach delivered in some areas.

Karen holds a Tohu Whakaako mo nga Kura Kaupapa Maori i Aotearoa, a Masters in Matauranga Maori, and holds several Governance positions on Whanau and Hapu land and marae trusts. Karen is fluent in te reo Maori and passionate about the retention, preservation and maintenance of Matauranga Maori.