What does Matariki mean to you? How do Indigenous knowledge systems and world views feature in your mahi and wider world? Do you feel supported and confident in sharing your own cultural knowledge and perspective?

If any of these pātai spark something with you, nau mai haere mai, we invite you to join us for a wānanga based on the power of connection and community! Moving into Matariki our growing collective of wāhine Māori and Pasifika leading in ECE, will share what this season means for them. A series of kōrero will share mātauranga relating to our unique and shared aspirations and perspectives of Matariki in our mahi and hapori (communities).

In collaboration with ELP, this event is brought to you by
Emma Parangi, Maria Sydney, Emalata Lutui and Jay Ferris.

Saturday 24 June 2023, 9am-1pm

Cost: Only $20.00 per person!

Held at Friendship House, Manukau, Auckland

Emma Parangi

A lifetime of walking between worlds as a mixed-race person in Aotearoa has made me the kaiako and leader I am today. I have fought as many indigenous people have, to reconnect with my ancestral ways of being and knowing in a society of systems which were not made for me. My mahi as a Kaiako with tamariki, Kaiako and community centres whakawhanaungatanga and the values inherent within the building of relationships such as kotahitanga, aroha, manaakitanga, and tino rangatiratanga.

My goal is to challenge and support Kaiako to understand their own identities deeply, so that they may create that same space for tamariki, whānau and hapori. The education system of Aotearoa is a partnership between tangata whenua and tangata tiriti. I will continue to work until that partnership is reflected in all educational spaces for tamariki and whanau Māori.

Maria Sydney

I am passionate about creating spaces for kaiako and leaders in ECE and beyond that centre mātauranga Māori, indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous voices. As kaiako we have an integral role in ensuring the naturalisation and centring of Te Ao Māori in the education system, as part of recognising tāngata whenua and honoring Te Tiriti. For Māori culture and for Māori people to continue to survive and thrive as Māori, reconnection to indigenous knowledge systems is essential. Understanding the role we have as 21st century leaders and practitioners in this process is crucial. Through unpacking our own biases and privileges, we will empower Māori to reclaim their power and give voice to Māori narratives in spaces where they have been previously marginalised.

Emalata Lutui

Mālo ē lelei, my name is Emalata also known as Ema, I come from the beautiful village of Kolofo’ou & Te’ekiu also Haapai Ou’a in Tonga. I have 2 beautiful girls, Peyton is 9 and Faith is 12. What I enjoy outside of mahi is working out, going to church and spending time with my not so little girls. I have climbed up the ladder in the ECE industry to where I am now. I am looking forward to this ELP, I know we will all learn a little something from each other.

Jay Ferris

Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko Ngāti Porou me Kai Tahu ōku iwi
I tipu ake au i Tāmaki Makaurau.
Ko Jay Ferris tōku ingoa,
He Māmā, he kaiako, he tauira ahau.

My evolving journey of what it means to reconnect to the Māoritanga continues to guide and I find expression of that in early childhood, ontology and purpose. Currently I am unpacking my relationship to the world inside of the incredible mahi led by the team at Te Kura Huna. You may already know Mahi a Atua and their methods for indigenising spaces. This aligns with a passion of inclusion, identity and language for me. I’m looking forward to this next phase with you all.