Mark is the Kāhui Ako Lead Principal and is the principal at Papakōwhai School. He  is excited to build on the strong connections and learning opportunities across our Kāhui Ako. Collaboration between our schools is led by the principals’ leadership group and the Across School Teachers. It is a privilege to be part of a strong network of committed professionals across the Kāhui Ako.

Mark's experience and collaborative approach have been built over a long career in education and educational leadership, with a 30 year connection to the North Porirua area.

You can contact Mark at:

mark@papakowhai.school.nz 

Kia ora koutou, ko Toni Kahu-Sweet tēnei.

Toni has been teaching at Rangikura School for 15 years, across all year groups. She has a passion for Māori education, specifically in English medium schools, and has completed a Master of Education majoring in Māori Education. Toni has been leading NPKA Cultural Connections since 2021. Prior to being an ‘Across School Teacher Lead’ Toni had held the role of WST, working with our Rangatahi roopu. As a Kāhui Ako ASTL Toni is looking forward to connecting with schools across our NPKA assisting Cultural Connections while working alongside kaiako, ākonga and other ASTLs in their workstreams. 

You can contact Toni

tonik@rangikura.school.nz 

Mary Va'a

Paremata School

Pasifika Student Success Network Leader

Partner Schools:

Papakōwhai and Rangikura.

Mary’s mother’s villages are Pangai and Tungua in Ha’apai, Tonga and Falealili in Samoa. Her father’s villages are Neiafu, Vava’u and Niuatoputapu in Tonga. Mary’s ancestors also descend from Fiji and Portugal. She was born in Tonga and grew up in Central Auckland and has been living in Porirua for the last seven years.

Mary has taught for almost twenty years in Auckland, Abu Dhabi and  now in Porirua. She has taught students from New entrant up to Year 8.

Mary has been teaching for six years at Paremata School and is part of the Kahikatea team teaching Year 7s and 8s. She has a passion for creating equitable opportunities for Māori, Pasifika and diverse learners. At Paremata School she has lead in the spaces of Cultural connection through School Kapa Haka, Cultural Club and Cultural Capability.

You can contact Mary at

maryv@paremata.school.nz 

Sharon has been at Pāuatahanui School for the last ten years, teaching across the Junior and Middle school. 

She is passionate about developing students' understanding of the Nature of Science in a hands-on approach to develop curious and critical thinkers. She has participated in the Royal Society Te Apārangi Science Teaching Leadership Programme.   

Sharon is leading the Mathematics workstream and is looking forward to supporting ākonga and kaiako with Te Mātaiaho, Curriculum Refresh.    

You can contact Sharon- 

sharong@pauatahanui.school.nz 

Joanna has been a Year 0/1 teacher at St Theresa’s for over 10 years. She has held leadership roles including PB4L and cultural connectedness. Joanna has also previously enjoyed the role of WST for four years for NPKA. As an ASTL, Joanna is looking forward to continuing the connection with and working alongside ECEs, schools and providers to ensure smooth transitions where children and whānau feel safe and supported. She enjoys developing relationships with ākonga, whānau and Kaiako and supporting Kaiako practice. 

Joanna is also passionate about the Dramatic Inquiry approach to inquiry learning where students step in and out of imagined worlds. This learning through drama supports the development of empathy, social skills, collaboration, engagement, critical thinking and critical literacy within authentic contexts.  

You can contact Joanna at joanna@stp.school.nz 

Shauna 

Cory-Wright

Papakōwhai School

Literacy 

Network Leader

Partner Schools:

Plimmerton and Paremata.

Shauna has been teaching at Papakōwhai School for the past thirteen years. During that time she has taught at a range of levels from New Entrants to Y6 and currently has a Y5/6 class. Shauna has a passion for supporting children’s literacy development and believes in sharing evidence-based best practice. She is a lifelong learner and in 2023 started a Master’s in Literacy Education with Massey University. Additionally, Shauna has an interest in gifted education. Before taking up the position of Across Schools Teacher Leader, Shauna was the gifted co-ordinator at Papakōwhai School for several years. In this role, she supported her colleagues in identifying and meeting the needs of gifted and twice exceptional students. 

You can contact Shauna by emailing shauna@papakowhai.school.nz