Contributions To Education Honoured
WELLINGTON –A group of outstanding educationalists, teachers, principals and school administrators were today honoured
by the country’s largest education union.
The awards were presented by the country’s largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, which has 42,000 members. It
represents teachers and principals in primary schools, teachers in early childhood education centres, support staff in
primary and secondary schools, special education staff in primary and secondary schools and advisers in the tertiary
sector.
They were presented by Bruce Adin, NZEI Te Riu Roa National President, at the opening of the union’s 120th Annual
Meeting in Wellington.
Sixteen members of the union were honoured along with three distinguished members of the education community.
Bruce Kelly, a former principal of Karori Normal School, and former NZEI Te Riu Roa National President, was given the
union’s highest honour, Life Membership.
Bruce Kelly has played a huge role in raising the professional status of teachers during his time as National President
of NZEI Te Riu Roa, from 1975-76, and as a National Executive Member in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
“He is a visionary who fought to enhance the professional status of primary teachers for many years. We have seen his
ideas culminate in the establishment of the New Zealand Teachers Council,” says NZEI Te Riu Roa National President,
Bruce Adin.
Dr Jocelyn Jesson, the director of research development at the Auckland College of Education, Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, the
former Chief Executive of the Kohanga Reo Trust, and Professor Timoti Karetu, a former Maori Language Commissioner, were
made Honorary Fellows of NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Dr Jocelyn Jesson is a highly regarded academic who taught in secondary schools from 1969 to 1988 before moving into the
tertiary sector and becoming a leading education researcher.
Iritana Tawhiwhirangi began her work as educator 55 years ago, as a primary teacher. She began work at the Department of
Maori Affairs in 1963 where she helped develop Tu Tangata, the Stand Tall, Maori development policy. This was the
vehicle for funding the kohanga reo movement, which Iritana helped create. In May this year she retired as chief
executive of the Kohanga Reo National Trust.
Professor Timoti Karetu began his career as a secondary school teacher and went on to establish the Maori Studies
Department at Waikato University. He was also the first Maori Langage Commissioner and has written more than 50 books
and other publications in Maori and on the teaching of Te Reo Maori.
Elizabeth Patara, a former National President, and Frances Nelson, a member of the National Executive, were made Fellows
of NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Elizabeth Patara is principal of Clyde Quay School in Wellington, and was National President of NZEI Te Riu Roa in
1998. She has a passion for Maori education and is widely respected for her knowledge of curriculum and assessment in
primary schools.
Frances Nelson is principal of Northcote Primary School and has been a member of the NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive
for five years. She is an advocate of life long learning and has been awarded two travel fellowships to study
educational developments overseas.
Thirteen other members were made Associates of NZEI Te Riu Roa.
Amanda Coulston, general manager, Wellington Region Free Kindgarten Association Janeve Green, deputy principal, Kuratau
Primary Angela Ham, teacher, Te Kohanga Reo o Rotokawa, Rotorua Tony Hamilton principal, Maungaturoto Primary School
Margaret Harness, head teacher, Titirangi Kindergarten, Auckland Kay Hines, teacher, Timaru West School, Timaru Denise
Hird, senior teacher, Insoll Avenue School, Hamilton Lyn Holder, assistant principal, Silverdale Normal School, Hamilton
Shirley Manahan, relieving teacher, West Auckland Kelly Plummer, principal, Te Aroho Primary School, Te Aroha Kelvin
Squire, principal Stratford Primary School, Stratford Keriana Tawhiwhirangi, principal/tumaki TeKura Reo Rua o
Waikirikiri, Gisborne Steve Zonnevylle, principal Winchester Primary School, Winchester, South Canterbury.
The awards ceremony is at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington, in the Ballroom on the 6th floor, starting at 1pm.