Meet three of our board members, Dr Jamie Ataria (he gets shy about using the title), Mathew Sword (he is also a little shy about telling you he is a lawyer) and Kay-Lee Jones (who also will not tell you she is doing her PHD while lecturing at University). All great role models for our pononga.

Kay-Lee Jones

Ko Maungahaumi te Maunga
Ko Waipāoa te Awa
Ko Horouta te Waka
Takipū te Marae, tū tonu, tū tonu
Ko Te Aitanga a Māhaki te iwi
Ko Taupara te hapū
Mōkori anō ngā mihi ki a koutou
Ko Kay-Lee Jones tōku ingoa

My name is Kay-Lee Jones. I have three beautiful tamariki at Te Pā o Rākaihautū. Hawaiki, 2 years old at Nōku ki Te Pā (definitely the boss), Cina-Rose, 8 years old and in Puna Waimārie (my mini-me) and Wi-Xavier, 10 years old, in Puna Karikari (and taller than his mum). We have been a part of Te Pā o Rākaihautū since humble Richmond beginnings and love the philosophy of the pā wānanga. I work in education at the University of Canterbury and am also studying towards a doctorate in education. Whānau life keeps us busy with kid’s sports and other activities and my partner is a keen league-y- for the Linwood Keas, so āe, a busy life but full of fun. Feel free to come and say kia ora when you see me around the pā.

James (Jamie) Ataria

Nō Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu me Ngāti Raukawa ahau. Tokorua āku tamāhine - kei te Te Pā rāua e ako ana. Kei te Pā hoki taku hoa rangatira e mahi ana - he kaiārahi ia. He maha ngā runaruna-a-waho e kaingakautia ana e au. Heoi...kāore he mea i tua atu i tētahi pikitia pai - haerenga hī ika/ruku kaimoana rānei. He kairangahau pūtaiao, he kaiwhakawhanake rawa Māori-kaitiaki whenua Māori hoki ahau.

Tēnā koutou katoa.I have links to Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Raukawa tribes. I have two daughters who attend Te Pā, along with my wife who is a Kaiārahi there. I enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits but nothing beats a good movie or fishing/diving for kai. I am an environmental scientist by training and also work in Māori business development and environmental sustainability.

Mathew Sword - Muaūpoko

One of my stints as a lawyer was working as in-house counsel for the Ministry of Education. Once I left the Ministry I have been using my knowledge of the system to disrupt that system. Why? Because its broken, and has been broken for generations and continues to fail our Māori children. I am inspired and fortunate to be part of amazing kaupapa such as Te Pā that seeks to innovate and create Māori solutions that work!!