Three OP staff win Ako Aotearoa Te Whatu Kairangi Awards

Huge congratulations to Associate Professor Kelli Te Maihāroa (above left), Principal Lecturer Claire Goode (above centre), and Principal Lecturer Kerry Davis (above right) who have clinched three of the eleven 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi I Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards.

These awards recognise outstanding and sustained teaching excellence of tertiary educators and trainers.

The awards include: 

• Kaupapa Māori Award presented to individuals or groups whose practice incorporates te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori
• Le Moana Mua Award for Pacific educators, available to both individuals and groups
• General Award with specified criteria applicable to both individuals and groups
• Te Tohu Reo Māori award, presented to individuals, recognising the practice of kaiako who teach te reo Māori (new in 2024). 

This year, the selection panel received a range of portfolios from universities, polytechnics, and industry training organisations. Each portfolio went through a three-stage selection process and was reviewed by a group of 27 reviewers and multiple panels. 

“A special congratulations to all the 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi awardees for their commitment to outstanding educational practice. It’s been pleasing to see the calibre of educators Aotearoa has and the mana they possess”, says Selection Panel Chair, Derek McCormack.

And, with three out of eleven awards, OP is punching well above its weight on the national tertiary education stage.  

“TKM would like to congratulate Kerry, Claire and Kelli on receiving these awards. We want to acknowledge them for their hard mahi and commitment to teaching and Otago Polytechnic. It’s wonderful promotion for us as an institution and really reminds us of our why. Congratulations again,” says Megan Pōtiki.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony hosted by the Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills at Parliament on 4 November 2024.

The Prime Minister’s Educator of the Year Award will be awarded at this ceremony to the nominee whose portfolio best exemplifies the overall criteria.  

A few words from our awardees  

Associate Professor Kelli Te Maihāroa, Kaihautū, Te Kahui Whetu I Capable Māori  
Waitaha, Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Maniapoto  
Winner: Te Whatu Kairangi Award I Kaupapa Māori  

“This award is a reflection of my whānau, colleagues, hapu and iwi who have supported me to protect maatauranga Māori and promote decolonial practices.  

“As Kaihautu: Te Kaahui Whetuu, I hold a privileged role to lead and strengthen kaupapa Māori pathways which unlock Māori potential across Aotearoa.  My teaching is underpinned by Mana Māori, a teaching philosophy handed down from my poua Te Maihaaroa, a Māori prophet and the last tohuka in Te Waipounamu.

“I have oversight of Te Kaahui Whetuu | Capable Māori team, and we provide a bespoke kaupapa Māori online learning programme which is culturally responsive, draws on Māori pedagogies, which also includes the option of noho marae.

“My portfolio showcased opportunities to promote maatauranga Māori and provide evidence of the transformational change that Capable Māori makes in the lives of tauira, whānau and for Ngai Māori.  

“If a person has a degree, they earn over 40% more during their working life than someone without a tohu.  My mantra is – changing the negative statistics one tohu at a time!”

Read more about Kelli >

Claire Goode, Principal Lecturer (Learning and Teaching Development)  
Winner: Te Whatu Kairangi Award I Progressing educational partnerships and collaboration  

“My portfolio focused mainly on the work I do as the Academic Capability Partner across our College of Health, working in collaboration with kaiako to:

1. Provide them with best practice, research-engaged learning and teaching knowledge and skills, to maximise learner success, and  
2. Develop kaiako as skilled educators.  

“My main motivation in my role is always to make a difference, and I guess, for me, the award recognises that. I’m really not sure this has sunk in yet, but it does feel like incredible recognition of the work that I do, but also of the OP culture.”  

Read more about Claire >  

Kerry Davis, Principal Lecturer (Nursing)   
Winner: Te Whatu Kairangi Award I Innovation in learning, teaching and curriculum  

“My Te Whatu Kairangi award is an acknowledgement of my mahi and collaboration in the design of ‘Senior Person’s Health’, a course preparing student nurses ahead of clinical placement in an Aged Residential Care facility.   

“Aged care is complex and requires empathic nurses with advanced problem-solving skills.  

“In the classroom I use patient narrative, collaborative poetry and experiential learning activities to foster deep understanding of person-centred care.

“This award bears testament to the ongoing collaboration with clinical partners and colleagues who support students to become enthusiastic and capable nurses."

Read more about Kerry >