Calmar’s career in early childhood education has spanned 30 years in various positions across a range of settings from Kindergarten to Early Intervention and Special Education. She worked for Barnados for a number of years as Northern Region Team Leader for Early Learning Centres and Practice Leader for Auckland and Wellington Regions as well as Professional Services Manager for centres and home based services with the Pasifika ECE Alliance. More recently, prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2019, Calmar held the positions of Education and Business Manager and then General Manager within Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association

“I believe in being an authentic leader and building trusting respectful relationships. Transformational leadership enables teams to develop and for there to be a shared vision to success. Maintaining these relationships and retaining connections have guided me throughout my journey in the Early Childhood sector. 

The government and the Ministry of Education are raising expectations of how we deliver a service to Māori and Pacific Nations. This is a specific focus for me on both a personal and a professional level. Being a strong Samoan woman I have been committed to building relationships at both local & national levels alongside Maori & Pacific communities and individuals. This has also involved building initiatives that encourage participation within early childhood for families, and in particular empowering parents to take an active advocacy role for their children.

Children are the heart of all that we do, and I believe in best practice and our responsibility to ensure we are here in the next 50 years as part of Counties Manukau and Franklin within the Early Childhood sector. I have always been part of the not-for-profit sector, which also supports connections with likeminded Associations. Current trends at a National and Local level are part of the strategic vision that I apply in my role.  I continue to challenge and look for opportunities to ensure best possible outcomes for children and their whanau.”

Marianne’s professional background is in the area of teaching and educational leadership and management, with 35 years of experience in the education arena.  

As Operations Manager, Marianne’s overall responsibility is to oversee the daily operations and management of our Kindergartens and ELCM Early Learning Centres and to assist in the setup of new early learning services for the organisation.   

Her role within the Senior Leadership Team is to assist and support the CMKA strategic and visionary initiatives and to ensure that professional relationships and community networks are positively established and maintained, both internally and externally, for Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association as a not-for-profit, community-based organisation.  

“I am passionate about empowering our leaders and teachers to be the best that they can be and I aspire and strive to make a positive difference for our tamariki and their whanau in the work that I am immersed in each day.  

My passion, my aspirations and vision are centred on our organisation’s whakatauki:  

Ko ngā tamariki te iho o ā mātau mahi katoa, Children – the heart of all we do” 

Raewyn has made a lifetime commitment to Early Childhood Education, beginning with 23 years as an educator in the Auckland and the Franklin districts followed by 16 years in education management roles. Her professional experience includes the areas of Health & Safety, policy development, employment and compliance.  

In her current role as Human Resources & Communications Manager, Raewyn leads the marketing, administration and payroll teams. Her work focusses both on internal systems and strategic direction.  

“I am privileged to work closely with teaching and support staff, aiding them to deliver great outcomes for our tamariki, and working with our Senior Leadership Team on achieving our strategic goals for the organisation. 

I am proud to work for a not-for-profit community based service that for the past 60 plus years has focussed on early childhood education in local communities throughout the Counties Manukau and Franklin region. I am excited by the innovative and responsive direction of our organisation and value the opportunity to be a part of this journey.”  

Rihari is a primary-trained Te Reo Māori teacher, with four years’ experience in primary at Manurewa East School and, more recently, 8 years in high school at King’s College.

 

“Ko ngaa pou tapu katoa o Taamaki Makaurau ngooku Maunga, ko Te Puketaapapatanga a Hape kei toonaa pito.

Ko Te Maanukanukatanga o Hoturoa te Moana

Ko Oruarangi te Awa

Ko Tainui te Waka

Ko Te Ahiwaru, Te Aakitai, Ngaati Maahanga me Ngaati Tahinga ngooku Hapuu

Ko Makaurau me Puukaaki ngooku Marae

Ko Hape te Tangata

Ko Kaiwhare te Taniwha

He hononga ano ngooku ki Ngāti Whātua tūturu, Ngāti Whātua Orākei, Waikato, Ngai Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Rarotonga me Tahiti.

Ko Rihari Wilson teenei e mihi ana

 

Ko ngā whakaaro nui ki te Atua, ko ia te timatanga me te whakamutunga, nānā nei ngā mea katoa.

Ki te upoko tuawhitu o te Kiingitanga, Tuuheitia Paki, noho mai i te ahurewa tapu o too maamaa me oou tuupuna, e te kaahui Ariki, e te whare o Pootatau Te Wherowhero.

Rire. Rire. Hau. Paimaarire.

E ngā māreikura, e ngā whatukura kua mene atu ki te pō, moe mai, takoto mai, okioki mai rā.

E aku nui, e aku rahi, tēnā tātou katoa.

 

I hope my role as Māori Development Coordinator can help drive the principles and intentions outlined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand, and a better Aotearoa starting for our tamariki in Kindergarten and Early Learning.

 

Nōreira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā ano rā tātou katoa. Mauriora”