Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand (ECNZ) is an incorporated
society of members governed by a Council elected by members at Annual
General Meetings (AGM). The Council's role is that of a governance body,
overseeing ECNZ's policies and strategic direction. The Council meet
five times each year.
Council is responsible for:
- Consulting with members of ECNZ in a regular and systematic manner
- Developing the ECNZ’s strategic vision and direction and approving its strategic plan
- Employing and managing the performance of the Chief Executive.
ECNZ Council is comprised of a National President, and eight
members. Two member positions are reserved for Māori and one for
Pasifika. There is an elected staff representative on the Council.
I have been involved in ECE since the 1970s as a teacher, advocate, union activist and policy advisor. I believe every child has a right to access high quality ECE and have
championed and campaigned for universal access to quality ECE services,
the development of a qualified and progressive teaching workforce, and a
partnership with government that supports the growth of community-based
ECE services.
I have had 26 powerful years learning how I can be the best version of me and ignite children’s love for learning. While I have worked in various early childhood settings, tertiary education and government, I currently work at the Gisborne Kindergarten Association.
I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Education, University of Waikato. I have worked in early childhood education for over 35years, beginning my journey in te kohanga reo, and working in a number of professional development and tertiary education providers over the years.
I have been part of leadership teams and governance roles in the early childhood, tertiary and community spaces, advocating for children: in particular, equity for Pacific children and services. Appreciating the uniqueness of my culture has been foundational in navigating the educational terrain that many of our Pacific children travel.
I am a Chartered Accountant by profession and practised in Wellington city for more than 40 years with two different CA firms. I retired as a Partner from BDO Wellington in December 2011 after 32 years in that role.
I
have tribal affiliations with Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Mahaki, Ngāti
Horowai, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Rongowhakaata, Ngā Tāmanuhiri, Te
Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngāti Rakaipaaka.
I have spent many years in senior management in the public and private
sector and have a thorough understanding of government and legislative
requirements.
“I have been the Chief Executive of HRNZ since July 2018 where I have been leading the organisation through a period of change and modernisation. I started my career in human resources at New Zealand Post before moving into general management roles with QV and Te Tumu Paeroa. I’m an advocate for building sustainability into business practices with a particular focus on equity and inclusion”.
Teenā koutou katoa
Ko Tau/hara te mau/nga i kukume mai ai ki tōku ngākau
Ko Waikato te awa i tau mai tōku wairua
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Mangakino e noho nei au
Nō England, Aotearoa ōku tupuna.
I tipu ake au ki Pōneke. Por/neke
E noho ana au ki Pōneke a Mangakino.
Ko Cathy Wilson tōku ingoa.
Ko Kaiwhakahaere matua, Montessori Aotearoa NZ
Teenā koutou katoa. Cathy has been the Chief Executive officer for Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand (MANZ) since 2015. She is from a teaching background and is both State and Associated Montessori Internationale (AMI) teacher trained from 0-18 years. She has worked as a tutor for the Aperfield Montessori Trust and delivered numerous workshops for the Early Childhood Council, Victoria University and Montessori conferences both in New Zealand and overseas. Cathy represents MANZ on many Ministry of Education, Teaching Council, Education Review Office and New Zealand Qualification Authority governance and advisory groups as well as two global boards.
My
teaching career has spanned 40 years and has included teaching tamariki
from 3 months to 6 years, owning, managing and teaching in my own
centres, lecturing at the tertiary level, and developing and
facilitating a wide range of professional learning opportunities for
teachers throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. My role on the Council is to represent staff views and to ensure the staff voice is heard.