Pandora Hawke

Pandora Hawke was nominated by Angela Booth

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E rere kau mai te awa nui nei, mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa. Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.
I descend from Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tama, Ngā Rauru, and Ngāti Porou. He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.

I am a proud graduate of Te Tari Puna o Aotearoa (2014), with my journey in early childhood education beginning in 2008 at Te Kōhanga Reo alongside my tamariki.

I am the Pou Ahurea, cultural advisor for Kaitiaki Kindergartens serving the Northern and far West kindergarten communities of Tāmaki Makaurau. My strengths lie in deep sector knowledge, strong engagement with Māori and Pasifika communities, and an unwavering commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

I believe our tamariki are the future leaders of Aotearoa. To empower them, they must first understand our histories. Their learning must begin with the past, to make sense of the present, and to shape a purposeful, equitable future.

Clare Wells

Clare Wells was nominated by Cathy Wilson

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Clare has a long and influential history in early childhood education (ECE) as a teacher, leader and advocate. Deeply committed to our kaupapa, Clare understands our aspirations as a bicultural organisation.

She is highly regarded in the education sector, having considerable experience and knowledge of ECE policy, pedagogy and practice, and experience in the wider education and public sectors. She has held numerous roles at the national level including senior political advisor to the Minister of Education, Chief Executive of Te Pūtahi Kura Puhou o Aotearoa, and Ministerial Appointee to the New Zealand Education/Teaching Council, and appointee to many government and sector reference, advisory and working groups. Clare has significant governance experience and held roles including a president/chair and chair of sub-committees such as Finance, and People and Capability.

She was elected to Te Rito Maioha Council in 2019, and elected president in 2023. In 2020, Clare received the Queens Service Order (QSO) in for her services to ECE.