NZEI awards five new associates
26 September, 2016
NZEI Te Riu Roa has announced five new associates in recognition of their work for NZEI, for quality public education
and for the communities in which they live.
NZEI president Louise Green said the awards recognised the high regard in which the members are held and in recognition
of the excellent relationships they have built with colleagues, NZEI Te Riu Roa members and other members of the
education community.
The associates for 2016 are:
• Barbara Curran, South Canterbury
• Sharon Jane, Wairoa
• Carole McConkey, Wanganui
• Liam Rutherford, Manawatu
• Jo Vaughan, Tākitimu
Barb Curran has held many positions for NZEI at both branch and area council level. She has represented members on the
primary teacher bargaining team in collective agreement negotiations. She has an ex officio role on NZEI National
Executive and is held in high regard by her teacher colleagues, parents and children. She teaches at Pleasant Point
Primary School in Timaru.
Sharon Jane is a long standing office holder on the Wairoa branch of NZEI Te Riu Roa. She is a teacher at Wairoa Primary
School and a passionate member of her community, including organising support for locked-out AFFCO workers and their
families during the long-running dispute. In her NZEI role, she is an effective networker and organises professional
development and local meetings.
Carole McConkey is an active and effective support staff representative and advocate. She is dedicated to public
education and is well respected in her Wanganui branch and beyond. She is currently Wanganui branch secretary and is a
passionate lobbyist and organiser of activities and meetings.
Liam Rutherford is a teacher at Ross Intermediate in Palmerston North and has been involved in NZEI since he was a
student at Massey University. He has been president of the Manawatu branch and has been a Young Member’s Network
representative. He is currently on the NZEI national executive and has been on several working groups. He is a
passionate community activist and foster parent.
Jo Vaughan is a support staff member and teacher aide. She has been a passionate advocate and leader of support staff in
her region and in Invercargill and has been team leader in Support Staff Collective Agreement negotiations. She has
built and maintained good relationships with all areas of the education sector and is well-respected both nationally and
locally.
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