All ākonga are provided with innovative, connected and responsive teaching, learning experiences, pathways and environments. These will enable Māori to achieve success as Māori and all ākonga to thrive as culturally located learners and as citizens locally, nationally and globally.
Grow – the intention to collectively grow and transform.
Waitaha – the abbreviated Māori name for the Canterbury area.
Our mahi is designed under four impact areas (pou) to guide our approach.
We collaborate with schools and communities to action initiatives and solutions that will make an impact.
Futures
Pathways
Equity and Inclusion
Wellbeing
The goal of Grow Waitaha is to enable schools and kura to reimagine education for young people across the region.
We continually review our work and get input from the sector to ensure we remain future focused. Grow Waitaha also aligns with the aspirations of the National Education and Learning Priorities. We support kura to collaborate and learn from each other to create better outcomes for all ākonga. We continue to support kura undertaking rebuilds and teaching in new environments.
We aim to promote collaboration between kura by fostering self-sustaining networks of kura, kaiako and ākonga. Our work aims to extend and support the thinking of kaiako and school leaders to meet the current and future needs of ākonga. Putting learners at the centre of change recognises their unique perspectives on how they learn.
We see Mātaitipu, a vision for young people that was created by young people, as a critical lens as we look to the future.
We are strengthening relationships with Papatipu Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu in Canterbury including Tuahiwi Education (Ngāi Tūāhuriri) and Kōia Te Mātauraka (representing seven Papatipu Rūnanga, Koukourārata, Ōnuku, Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, Te Taumutu, Waihao and Wairewa). We value their partnership and involvement in all aspects of our mahi.
Governed by Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, Grow Waitaha is a partnership between its governors, three education providers (Tātai Aho Rau | CORE Education, Evaluation Associates Ltd | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga, and Leadership Lab), kura and their communities.
Amanda Dowling, Te Mahau – Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education
Amanda Dowling serves a key role in the Greater Christchurch Education Renewal Programme with the Ministry of Education. She is the key relationship holder for the Grow Waitaha contract, overseeing its management and fostering collaboration with the Grow Waitaha team. Amanda has been an integral part of the Greater Christchurch Education Renewal Programme and Christchurch Schools Rebuild projects. Amanda brings community engagement, relationship building, and project coordination. Her dedication ensures that the partnership between the Ministry and Grow Waitaha continues to support schools and communities effectively.
Dr Cheryl Doig, Think Beyond
Dr Cheryl Doig coordinates the Puaka and Deciding groups and supports all other workstreams in their combined mahi. Cheryl co-leads the Futures impact area. She has wide-ranging experiences in futures/foresight, education, health, leadership, and governance. Cheryl's great sense of curiosity and collaboration helps her to explore future possibilities and influence others.
Dr Chris Jansen, Leadership Lab
Chris co-leads the Equity and Inclusion impact area, is a member of Puaka governance group, and facilitates various initiatives across Grow Waitaha including the Ōtautahi Secondary Change Leaders Network. He also works in a variety of schools and Kāhui Ako and is passionate about culturally sustaining leadership. Chris is co-director of Leadership Lab, which is focused on growing equitable and thriving communities and organisations.
Helen MacGougan, Tātai Aho Rau Core Education
Helen leads the Storytelling team and is a member of Puaka governance group. Helen's educational background is as a kaiako and a middle leader in secondary education and as a facilitator with adult learners. Helen’s passion is storytelling, supporting people to be heard, seen, understood and meaningfully participate in the creation of their own stories.
Janelle Riki-Waaka, Tātai Aho Rau Core Education
Janelle co-leads the Equity and Inclusion impact area and is a member of Puaka governance group. She is a highly experienced leader and consultant specialising in areas such as developing cultural competencies, Te Tiriti o Waitangi education and digital technologies. She has considerable teaching and leadership experience in both English Medium and bilingual education settings and has developed extensive experience in supporting the engagement and success of all ākonga. Janelle is passionate and committed to empowering ākonga Māori to live, create and innovate in ways that re-indigenise and revitalise our reo and tikanga for future generations.
Kerry Hall, Evaluation Associates Ltd | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga
Kerry leads the Wellbeing impact area, is a member of Puaka governance group, and facilitates Grow Waitaha initiatives across the impact areas. She has supported several schools across Waitaha with their education briefs and as they transitioned into their new learning spaces.
Steve Edwards, Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga
Steve Edwards has a range of roles across the Grow Waitaha project. He leads the Pathways impact area and is a member of the Puaka governance group. In addition, he helps allocate support for schools undergoing ‘build projects’. He has also supported schools to develop and/or review their education brief documentation.