Board of Trustees

Co-Chairs: Chalajia Taukamo-Mataroa & Jeff Hunkin

Parent Trustees: Cherie Parai, Fiona King, Rebekah Siave

Iwi Representative: Bianca Elkington

Staff Representative: Bronwyn Pope

Principal: Kathleen O’Hare

Board Secretary: Corrina Perenise

The Board of Trustees meets monthly in a meeting which is open to the public. This is usually held on a Monday of each month in the staffroom. The meeting generally covers student achievement, finance, property, personnel matters, policy review and development and all matters relating to the effective governance of the school.

The Board of Trustees is elected by the parents every three years. The current Board members were elected in September 2022.

Meeting dates for 2023: Mondays at 5:30pm in the Staffroom

13 February, 13 March, 8 May, 12 June, 14 August, 11 September, 13 November, 11 December.

You can contact the Board at bot@ngatitoa.school.nz

Chalajia Taukamo-Mataroa

He Mana Whakahaere o Te Poari Kura o Ngāti Toa / Co-Chair of Ngāti Toa School Board of Trustees

Turou Hawaiki!

Mai Miria-te-Kakara ki Whitireia, ki Takapūwāhia.

Tirohia ake au ki te Maunga Tapu – Ko Rangituhi.

Whakawhiti te Moana o Raukawakawa ki Wairau, ki Rangitoto-ki-te-Tonga, ki Whakatū.

tōku Hononga, tōku Tūranga.

Ko Ngāti Toarangatira, Ko Ngāti Koata ngā Iwi.

Ānei he uri o Te Peehi Kupe, Te Hiko o Te Rangi rātou ko Ngāhuka Piripi Kohe.

Ko Chalajia Taukamo-Mataroa tōku ingoa.

Tēnā Koutou Katoa,

My name is Chalajia Taukamo-Mataroa,

A Pā kid who grew up on Te Hiko Street, with a deep connection to Ngāti Toa and the surrounding whenua we grew up on in Takapūwahia.

A Married, Mother of two amazing boys – My eldest who has now moved on from Te Kura o Ngāti Toa to Tawa Intermediate and my youngest a current ākonga at our Kura.

Outside of Kura – I’m a Certified Massage Therapist based in Takapūwāhia.

And have a background in Te Reo Māori, Kapahaka, Dance, Music and Art to name a few.

At Kura, when i’m not with our Board, I have the privilege to spend time with our Kura Kids mentoring our Babies in Kapahaka – where we get to explore Te Āo Māori and have fun using Waiata, Kēmū/Games and Poi + Mau Rākau.

I love the passion our kids have – Our Tamariki are our whakapapa, our future OUR WHOLE WORLD

I want them to succeed and achieve greatness in their aspirations and feel nurtured in the world.

I look forward to the possibility to continue contributing to our kura and being part of something great.

Ngā Manaakitanga

Chalajia

Jeff Hunkin

Co-Chair of Ngāti Toa School Board of Trustees

Fakaalofa lahi atu, talofa lava, kia ora, hello!

My name is Jeff Hunkin and it’s a real privilege to be a part of the Ngāti Toa School community. 

Four years ago my wife Jess and our two kids – Willow (6.5) and Levi (3.5) – turned the key as homeowners to our first house here in Tītahi Bay. Both Jess and I grew up just over the hill in Tawa, and are today proud to call The Bay our home. 

By day I’m the Content Delivery Manager for ACC New Zealand, leading a team of creatives to bring our organisation’s purpose to life on our website and social media channels. By night you’ll find me singing in my covers band, working out at the local CrossFit gym, or playing Minecraft with the kids. 

I raised my hand to be on the Board of Trustees because I want to use my passion for people, experience in leadership, and desire to serve as key skills to help Ngāti Toa School be the best kura it can be. Under Kathleen’s leadership I truly believe the school has a bright future, and I pledge to do all I can to help our school fulfil its potential. 

That of course is no mean feat and can’t be accomplished alone. Thank you in advance to our kaiako (teachers), kaimahi (staff), parents, and members of our wider community for pitching in. Together, I’m confident all students can walk out of our gates and into the world with mana, confidence, and self-belief.

Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the members of our board any time you’d like to chat. 

Fa’afetai lava, fakaue lahi, ngā mihi,