Role

Lisa is currently pursuing her PhD, during this time she has stepped aside from her role as the Regional Education Leader in our Te Whanganui-a-Tara takiwā ako, and is now taking on an equally important role as a kaiako.

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Education Background

Lisa grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and completed Primary School Teacher training in 1995. She taught in primary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as the United Kingdom, and has been in Early Childhood Education since 2010. She has worked in Adult Education with Spark and NZEI – Te Riu Roa and been involved in Tertiary Education since joining Te Rito Maioha in 2018.

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Research Background

Lisa’s research focus includes teenage Māori mothers’ experiences of health, social, financial, education and whānau support. She is concerned with disrupting the dominant discourse of colonisation in Aotearoa New Zealand and resisting oppressive systems that disadvantage tangata whenua. Her research is underpinned by kaupapa Māori theory.

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Teaching Interests

Lisa’s teaching inspiration comes from her father who was a kaiako in Te Kohanga Reo in Rongotai ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She chose to teach to make a difference in the lives of the tamariki and whānau, and to support teachers-in-training to become the best possible teachers for communities.