1st PPTA Te Wehengarua National Secondary Education Leadership Summit (Biennial) 2022

PPTA Te Wehengarua Keynote speaker presentations

Hon Chris Hipkins

Chris Hipkins is Member of Parliament for Remutaka. He is Minister for COVID-19 Response, Minister of Education and Minister for the Public Service. He is also Leader of the House.

Chris passionately believes that every New Zealander deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in life. He is a staunch advocate for and defender of our public education system. Chris believes that a free, quality education is the right of every child.

Chris entered Parliament in 2008 and became the Spokesperson for Education at the beginning of 2013. He places a strong emphasis on social justice and believes that every New Zealander should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Dr. Sarb Johal

Topic: Find calm, stay calm, spread calm

Dr. Sarb Johal is a clinical psychologist, consultant and commentator who brings a psychological lens to the light, the dark and the intriguing aspects of the human experience. His videos, blogs and podcasts turn complex psychological theory into simple tools for solving everyday problems, helping people and organisations navigate tough times with greater wellbeing and equilibrium.

He is the author of three books written over the past two years, including Steady: A Guide to Better Mental Health Through and Beyond the Coronavirus Pandemic, The Little Book of Sleep, and most recently the best-selling Finding Calm: Managing Fear and Anxiety in an Uncertain World.

Sarb has a PhD from the School of Psychology at the University of Cardiff and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University College London.

Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo

Topic: Tamariki – our now, our legacy and possibilities

Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo is the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.

She is of Samoan descent and originally from the village of Vailima in Upolu, Samoa. Saunoamaali'i has a strong commitment to improving equal employment opportunities, particularly bringing a Pasifika perspective to human rights issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. For 20 years, Saunoamaali'i has worked as a public advisor and social worker, advocating for the interests of children, women, families, the rainbow community, social protection, youth employment, gender equality and an end to gender violence.

Saunoamaali'i holds qualifications in social work, social policy, mediation and science, including a PhD in public policy from AUT.

Rebecca Kitteridge

Rebecca Kitteridge was appointed Director-General of Security in May 2014. The agency she heads, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, has a key role in investigating, assessing and advising on national security threats, and provides protective security services across the New Zealand government.

Rebecca’s career has been varied. It began with nearly a decade as a private practice lawyer, but Rebecca’s interest in public law prompted her to move to the Cabinet Office as legal adviser at the start of 1997. This move coincided with the formation of the first coalition government under the MMP electoral system, giving her work a sharp constitutional focus.

In considering how best to counter these threats Rebecca brings her commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and social inclusion.

Rebecca lives in Wellington with her husband and daughter. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading and cycling

Neil McDonald

Topic: Tapestry of Culture

Neil McDonald is the Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Education Leadership Institute (QELi), an innovative not-for-profit institute committed to delivering excellence in leadership by supporting leaders and organisations to establish a strong vision, improve outcomes and lead change in their school or organisation. He has over 25 years of school system and leadership experience as a teacher, principal and Assistant Regional Director within the Department of Education. Under Neil’s leadership, QELi engages with leaders across all sectors in Australia and internationally, working closely with schools and systems to develop and deliver tailored leadership and capability professional development programs for driving collaboration and organisation improvement. Prior to commencing at QELi, Neil was Executive Director, Organisational Transformation and Capability, in the Department of Education and was instrumental in leading the Departments Teaching and School Leadership Program.

Hana O'Regan

Topic: Inequity by design - understanding the past environments that have served to shape the current challenges for Māori within education, and the leadership required to change

Dr Hana O’Regan has worked in the areas of language revitalisation, identity and cultural development, te reo Māori and education for over 25 years. Hana is a published author and composer and is recognised internationally for her work in indigenous language acquisition and revitalisation. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga – Institute of Excellence in Te Reo Māori, Hana is widely respected for her Māori language contribution, skills and advocacy. Hana’s passion for education and community, history and equity has resulted in a career committed to working with organisations, businesses and individuals to support and enhance positive outcomes for learners and whānau.

Hana has held many positions on national boards, review panels and committees across the areas of education, Māori development, national identity, Treaty rights and policies and health. In 2021 Hana was appointed as a member to The Waitangi Tribunal.

Tā Mark Solomon

Tā Mark Solomon is committed to the betterment of his iwi, kotahitanga for Māori and the wider well-being of people and the environment. He is a strong advocate for the Māori economy and was instrumental in setting up the Iwi Chairs Forum (2005). He was the elected Kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu from 1998 to December 2016 and represented his local Papatipu Rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura from 1995 to December 2016.

Tā Mark’s current directorships include Te Ohu Kaimoana, National Science Challenge Governance Boards for the Deep South and Sustainable Seas, Te Tapuae o Rehua and a trustee of Pure Advantage. He was an original member of the Minister for Māori Affairs Māori Economic Taskforce, established in 2009.

Tā Mark believes a true rangatira is a servant of the people, a fact underpinned by his core philosophy of ‘strength with humility’. Whilst the commercial success of Ngāi Tahu is acknowledged, Tā Mark is especially proud of the tribe’s achievements in education and the development of the Iwi’s savings scheme Whai Rawa. Tā Mark is a committed advocate for the sanctity of whānau and takes a strong stance against whānau violence. He is passionate about his people and is determined to facilitate both iwi and wider Māori success by unlocking the potential of the Māori economy for the good of all