MEDIA RELEASE
New directions for Director Education and Māori Development
Kuku Wawatai (Ngati Porou), Director Education and Māori Development at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, resigned his position
last week leaving behind a legacy of commitment and passion for education, specifically in improving Māori participation
and success and engaging disconnected youth.
Mr Wawatai has most recently been at the forefront of leading the Polytechnic’s Youth Guarantee programme, a government
initiative to help at risk young people into job training. His innovative and highly successful methods of reconnecting
with disadvantaged youth has seen the Polytechnic lead the ITP sector in Youth Guarantee success and completions.
Dr Alan Hampton, Polytechnic Chief Executive, said Mr Wawatai had made a significant contribution to the Polytechnic’s
development and performance. “Kuku has made the whole institution really think about how we fulfil our role as an
education provider, understanding and responding to the learning styles of our students from a cultural and individual
perspective. This has seen the institution make significant improvements in our success and completion rates across the
whole institution.”
The institution’s commitment to the principles of Te Waka Hourua, the twin hulled waka, exemplify the impact of Mr
Wawatai’s initiatives in influencing how the Polytechnic goes about its business regardless of race or creed. Te Waka
Hourua is a philosophy which encompasses taking all people on their learning journey together to the same place,
providing the leadership, direction, resources, initiatives and passion to support all learners in their quest to reach
their full potential.
With a career balanced heavily to working with both Māori and non-Māori disadvantaged youth, Mr Wawatai has also held
positions with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, and the Gisborne District Council and the Manukau City Council. He also
has previous experience with current affairs having worked as a TV presenter and talkback host on Radio Aotearoa making
him a natural with engaging with people from all walks of life.
Mr Wawatai grew up in the small town of Tikitiki in Waiapu Valley near Gisborne. His maunga is Hikurangi and his awa is
Waiapu. He steps down from his position after eight years with the Polytechnic and is looking forward to taking on fresh
projects with Ngati Ranginui in areas of health and wellbeing.
Ends.