Kia ora OPS whanau, My name is Justin Graham and I hail from Kawhia where my mother was born (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 3 children, our eldest Christian attended OPS, 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 awesome 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 work as a family court lawyer in Manukau and have done so for 20 years now. I also have a Bachelor of Management Studies completing the chartered accounting requirements. I would love your support to be a part of the board. Nga mihi nui, fa’afetai lava. Justin

My family & I have lived in Onehunga for the last 9.5 years, we love it for its diversity, vibrancy and for the true sense of community that comes with living here. My son attends OPS and is loving it for all the right reasons. I have a passion for learning environments and therefore, as an architect, have been solely working on school projects for the last 12 years. From this, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside many versions of BOTS, teachers, students, and communities; with the latest completed project being Onehunga High School. My passion goes further than just the building environment itself; it is fueled by having the opportunity to help shape pedagogies on how students learn & teachers teach. I strongly believe that: 1) “Shaping the tree” while its young, results in best outcomes 2) Teachers should be supported as much as possible, and that they are true shapers of our tamariki, resulting in shaping our communities and in turn, our country. 3) Parents play a vital role and can influence both above Should I be elected as a BOT member, my personal aim/satisfaction would come from supporting the above 3 items. Additional to this, I believe that I’d be able to assist with decision making on building related matters. It would bring me great joy to be part of making a difference in this way and within a community that I love so much.

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 and I am keen 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.

Kia ora, My name is Mike and I live in Onehunga with my wife Amarley, and our 5 year old daughter Penelope. We have lived here for the past 3 years and have fallen in love with the area. My daughter Penelope is currently in Room 20 with Mrs Swain at OPS, and positively loves going to school every day. I am an NZ and US citizen, and spent several years in my early 20s living abroad in the USA where I studied Ethics at Portland State University. My wife and daughter are of Ngāpuhi, Te Rawara, and Ngātiwai descent. My family's connection to the Onehunga community began when my wife began attending the Plunket playgroup off Cardwell when our daughter was 2. Moving to Onehunga was a daunting time for us as we didn't know anyone. One day, my wife decided to attend the local playgroup which was a short walk from our house. She quickly found community, and made some amazing friends who helped welcome us to the area, and who we're still close with today. This incredible instance of friendship and community speaks volumes for the people of Onehunga, and furthers my resolve to help the community by running for School Board. In my professional life, I work for Jones Lang Lasalle, the world's second largest commercial real estate firm, as Director of Supply Chain and more recently, NZ Sustainability Lead. My career only recently grew to include NZ Sustainability Lead, which was driven by my own personal passion. I asked for the additional responsibilities as I believe wholeheartedly that everyone on Earth needs to do all we can to help stave off impending climate catastrophe. It is this same principle that compels me to nominate myself for School Board: I believe wholeheartedly that we should each do everything we can to help our children's educations. I am a member of the OPS Sustainability Committee as I am keen to help bring to life sustainability initiatives for the students of OPS, and the local community. I take this lead from my mother, who was a teacher for decades and a fixture on all of my school boards growing up. We sadly lost her during COVID, but I know she would've supported and encouraged this decision to support my daughter's education. I hope to be fortunate enough to get your support. Ngā mihi nui Mike DeDera

Hello, My name’s Hannah and I currently live in Onehunga I have two beautiful children, one that schools at Onehunga Primary School. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing your child/ren are being well cared for if that’s in school/home as well as environment, to have a community of friends as well as family in your surroundings. Something I find fits so strongly with the Onehunga Primary Community. To be able to take part in something so rewarding would be a pleasure and such an achievement. Thank you for the opportunity!

I am interested in improving the lives and realities of kids from a mobility perspective, how do we move about and what is the impact on your lives. There are great and fun everyday learning moments connected to that which cross sustainability, health, money and much more. I would like to see more kids going to school with more and more safe options and for the schools to support that for kids. I have worked in the cultural sector for the last fifteen years but now work in urban mobility and would love to share my knowledge to the benefit of the school and the children that attend.

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 this year, I have enjoyed learning more about the school community. Standing for the Board of Trustees helps me to give back and continue to make it a great asset for our community. Aside from being a parent, my other day 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 amongst other things. My background is in communication and engagement. I am also a trustee for the Onehunga Youth Trust. In the weekends you might catch us trying to chase our puppy around the Onehunga Bay Reserve, at Waikaraka Park playing football or grabbing lunch nearby. We love living in Onehunga and OPS is a great school led by an excellent team.

I am a proud OPS parent with soon to be 2 children attending the school, alongside my wife being a teacher at OPS. My family and I have lived in Onehunga for 11 years and love the area for its dynamic culture, vibrant community and immense potential as a growing community. As the school and community comes out the other side of 3 years of considerable disruption I am passionate about maintaining my spot on the board and setting a multi year education and commercial strategy to set up OPS as a standout school for our children and whanau.

Candidate statement Kia ora, I am Nick Wilson. Dad of Miriama and Jack (currently in years 5 and 3) and Benji who will shortly turn 5 and start at OPS, and husband of Emma. I am oriignally 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 to OPS and serve on the Board. I am a partner at a law firm called Simpson Grierson and, with my legal experience, I have the necessary skills to assist in the governance of the School. I will work collaboratively with other board members. I see the Board's 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 re-build and the future projected growth of the School but there will no doubt be challenges and I can help the Board in setting a clear direction and successfully working through those challenges. Ngā mihi e whanau ma.