Staff
Our Dedicated Staff
Our school is led by our Senior Leadership Team (SLT), who provide strategic direction and oversight.
Our dedicated teaching staff are known as Kaitiaki—the guardians of our students’ learning journey. Each Kaitiaki takes care of a specific rōpū (year group), providing a nurturing and consistent environment. They are experts in their fields, delivering curriculum based on their specialty curriculum areas.
Kaitiaki are also responsible for running essential conditioning sessions and offering exciting extra-curricular activities such as sports and kapa haka, ensuring a balanced and engaging school experience for every student.

Tuhoea J Watene
Tainui, Ngaati Maru, Ngaati Wairere
Site Leader/Deputy Principal Ruakura
Kaitiaki: Creative Industries
tuhoea.watene@taiwananga.co.nz

Wiki Papa
Iwi affiliations:
Tainui, Ngaati Koroki-Kahukura
SLT
Future pathways coordinator
Kaupapa maori: Waiata, Haka
w.papa@taiwananga.co.nz

Krystal Harris
Iwi affiliations: Ngaa Puhi
Haapuu: Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kuri ki Aupouri
SLT
Literacy Lead
English Teacher
krystal.harris@taiwananga.co.nz

Noema Watene
Iwi affiliations:
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi
SLT
National Teaching and Learning
Principals Nominee
n.watene@taiwananga.co.nz

Joshua Moore
Iwi affiliations: Whakatōhea, Ngāti Pikiao
Year 11 Roopu
Physical Education
Junior Science
j.moore@taiwananga.co.nz

Jordan Harris
Ngāti Kahungunu
Mathematics
Computer Science / Digital Technology
Jordan.Harris@taiwananga.co.nz

Jordan Rakena

Rosemarie Theunisz
Kaitiaki of:
Year 12 Roopuu
Science
Senior Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Earth and Space
Maths
Numeracy Lead
rose.theunisz@taiwananga.co.nz

Brad Hills
Kaitiaki of:
Year 10 Roopu
Junior Science
Senior Social Science
Conditioning Coordinator
brad.hills@taiwananga.co.nz

Te Waimarie Ngatai-Callaghan
Te Whanau-a-Apanui
Ngaati Whakaue
Tainui
Kaitiaki o Te Reo Māori me Te Ao Haka

Rākai-Hakeke Whauwhau
Iwi affiliations: Ngāti Hauā
Ngāti Kahungunu
Ngāti Apakura
Position at Ruakura
Pūoro
Te Reo Māori
raakai.whauwhau@taiwananga.co.nz

Shinehah Chalmers
Alofi & Hakupu
Teacher Aide

Dearnne Tamaki
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura
Office Manager
Sports Co-ordinator
d.tamaki@taiwananga.co.nz

Cheyenne Tamaki
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura
Administration
Attendance Officer
c.tamaki@taiwananga.co.nz

Paea Clothier
Iwi Affiliations: Kawhia
Teacher Aide

Jardean King
Chef
Iwi Affiliations: Ngati Maniapoto
Ngati Raukawa
Ngati Mahuta

Nicole Rakena
Kaitiaki Year 10
English, Manaaki Kai
n.rakena@taiwananga.co.nz

Tipene Waihi
Ngāti Konohi
Deputy Principal/Site Leader
Tū Toa
Kaitiaki: Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Haka, PE
t.waihi@taiwananga.co.nz

Te Ana Waihi
Ngāti Kahungunu
SLT Tū Toa
Leader of Sport & Conditioning
Kaitiaki: Maths, PE
teana.waihi@taiwananga.co.nz

Lana Delamere
Te Whanau-a-Apanui; Whakatohea; Te Arawa; Ngai Tahu, Ngati Weera.
SLT Tū Toa
Leader of Curriculum
Kaitiaki: Maths, English, Manaaki Kai
l.delamere@taiwananga.co.nz

Scott Southwood
Tū Toa
Kaitiaki: Innovations
s.southwood@taiwananga.co.nz

Devianne Griffiths
Iwi affiliations: Raukawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa
Position at Tū Toa:
Administrator & Finance
d.tamaki@taiwananga.co.nz

Nikole Waaka
Iwi affiliations: Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu
Position at Tū Toa:
Admin, Trainer, Attendance
n.waaka@taiwananga.co.nz

Helena King
Iwi affiliations: Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui
Position at Tū Toa:
Chef

Mariana Te Pania
Iwi affiliations: Te Rarawa/Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa Samoan
Position at Tū Toa:
Teacher Aide