Each fortnight we have been profiling our 'New to Nayland' teachers and today we meet and farewell our final recruit. Whaearua Ross-Hotene has spent the last year covering for one of our Te Reo Māori teachers who was awarded study leave. We wish Whaearua all the best as she takes up her new teaching position in Wellington!

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Born and grew up in Lower Hutt.

Where else have you lived besides Nelson?

Lived in Wellington.

Why did you decide to be a teacher and what drew towards becoming a Science teacher in particular?

Because I love working with young people and love te reo Māori so thought teaching would be a good way to work with both.

What do you like about teaching, and teaching at Nayland specifically?

Nayland College is very welcoming and the students are so full of energy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like going to the gym and playing soccer.

What were you like as a student at school?

I wasn’t always a very good student but I got all my credits and made it to the end!

What are your passions and areas of expertise?

I have a passion for te reo Māori and its revitalisation in Aotearoa.

Describe yourself with three words:

Live, laugh, love.

What did you do for a living before you became a teacher at Nayland College?

While I was studying I worked as a bartender and a te reo Māori tutor.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing and why?

If I wasn’t a teacher I would be a youth worker because I would still be supporting our rangatahi and youth workers have lots of fun.

Question from Simon Patel: What is one book everyone should read?

“Imagining Decolonisation” – Bianca Elkington, Moana Jackson, Rebecca Kiddle, Ocean Ripeka Mercier, Mike Ross, Jennie Smeaton, Amanda Thomas.