I am a proud OPS parent with two children, Tilly and Lou, attending the school.  I am originally from Whangarei and still have close ties to the north through family and friends, meaning that whilst I've spent more time out of Northland, it will always be a special place for me! More recently, my family and I have lived in Onehunga for 11 years and love the area, it has such a unique and dynamic culture, vibrancy and immense potential as a growing community.  As a family, our ties with OPS started in 2016 when my wife Jordan began teaching at the school and I feel privileged to now have the opportunity to chair the board, having begun on the board in February this year.  I work as sales director for a large business in the consumer goods sector.

As the school and community comes out the other side of three years of considerable disruption I am passionate about working with the wider board to establish a multi year education, professional development and commercial strategy to set up OPS as a standout school for all children, whanau and staff alike.

Talofa lava, I am passionate about supporting our local schools to provide an outstanding education for all of our children. I love that both my kids have been able to walk and bike to Onehunga Primary School where they have done all of their primary education. Tigiilagi is now at Royal Oak Intermediate and Tanifatea is in Kereru Karaka. I moved back to New Zealand in large part so my children could be surrounded by Pasifika and Maori excellence and achievement and see that as the norm. I love that we in the Onehunga community embrace this -for both our community and for our school. I have tried to contribute to this in small ways such as through writing (including in school journals) and in editing and publishing Maori and Pasifika stories (Tatou Publishing). 

I am currently a Chief Legal Counsel in a government department. I also have a background in education and in a previous role I was Director of Technical Assistance and Training for an international organisation. I have previously sat on and advised Boards - the most relevant of which was the Aoga Fa'aSamoan, a full immersion Samoan early childhood education centre. Our teachers and principal do an incredibly important job. My goal is to  work with them and other parents to ensure Onehunga Primary School is a place where all our kids love and are fully supported to learn.

I have been teaching since the year 2000 and I love my job. I have taught in Auckland, Christchurch and London. Prior to that, I grew up in Devonport then moved to Browns Bay. I studied at Canterbury University, majoring in Psychology and Sociology. I then completed my post grad in Teaching. I headed off to travel and teach in England for about three years.

I have been at Onehunga Primary School since 2010. My role is the team leader and teacher of Year 5 and 6.

My home is also in Onehunga. I’m married and have two fur children.

This school and this community are very special to me. The children, families and staff at OPS are very caring and there is a real sense of belonging here.  As a teacher at OPS I’m always trying to improve my practice and to ensure that the children feel safe, happy and excited about learning.

LIke my mother I was born in Kawhia (Te Kanawa toku Hapu, Maniapoto toku Iwi, Rakaunui toku Marae) in the Waikato, starting at Kawhia School, and finishing at Hamilton Boys’ High School as a boarder. My wife Veronica and I have three children, our eldest Christian moved onto intermediate, our son Matthias is in Year 5, and our daughter Tausala-Moana will start in 2023. We have lived in Onehunga for over 10 years, and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

Growing up around cousins and friends in Kawhia, I observed how community and whanau support one another, and apply this approach to my own family and community – coaching my children's soccer teams at Waikaraka and being on the board for a local non-profit pre-school. I believe that the success of a school isn’t measured by the number of scholars it produces alone, but also by its ability to identify and adequately support those of our students who are really struggling, and enabling them to thrive. 

I have  worked as a family court lawyer in Manukau for 20 years. I also have a Bachelor of Management Studies completing the chartered accounting requirements. 

I started as principal of Onehunga Primary School at the beginning of 2014. I have previously been principal of schools in South Auckland and in the Bay of Plenty. 

I love being part of the rich and diverse Onehunga Primary School community and consider myself fortunate to work with such amazing staff,  ākonga and whanau.  

As a school we continue to grow, reflect and refine.  I am proud of the way our school has developed and look forward to more exciting changes over the next few years.

Onehunga has been my home since I arrived in Auckland in 2010. I love our community and am lucky to live and work here. Since my daughter started at OPS, I have enjoyed learning more about the school community and want to contribute towards the future of the school. Aside from being a parent, my other job is to manage the Onehunga Business Association. Our team of four are responsible for running promotions and events, like the Christmas Parade and the Culinary Crawl, oversee the CCTV and support businesses to make Onehunga an attractive town centre to visit. I report to a Board made up of business and property owners. I have good connections across the community especially with my engagement with Auckland Council and Eke Panuku.

My career is in management, public relations and engagement. I enjoy writing and communicating clear outcomes to audiences so as to help take people on a journey. I have been the Chair of the Public Relations Institute’s Auckland chapter for two years and I am currently a trustee for the Onehunga Youth Trust.

Dad of three OPS students, Miriama, Jack and Benji and husband of Emma, I am originally from Whakatane and we have lived in Onehunga since 2010 and love it. I am grateful to OPS for the start that it has given our kids and am keen to give back and serve on the Board. 

I am a partner at law firm, Simpson Grierson, and, with my legal experience, have the necessary skills to assist in the governance of the School. Working collaboratively with other board members, I see our role as providing clear governance and support to allow Viki and the amazing OPS staff to get on with the operational side of the School - delivering a solid education and wide learning opportunities to the tamariki of Onehunga. 

OPS has some exciting years ahead with the rebuild and the future projected growth of the school’s population but there will no doubt be challenges and we will set a clear direction and successfully work through those challenges.