Nominations for Regional Executive - Hauraki Coromandel/Western Bay of Plenty

TANIA RAE

Mount Maunganui College

Personal information

I am a member of a large, extended, rural whānau in Oropi, living beneath Ōtanewainuku where my family has resided since 1916. I attended Oropi Primary, Tauranga Girls’ College, Waikato University, and Christchurch Teachers’ College. In 1993, I returned to Oropi with my husband, John, to raise our daughter, Dāni. My tribal affiliations are Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Maru, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

Professional information

I began teaching at Ōtūmoetai College in 1989, the year of Tomorrow’s Schools, and have 37 years of education experience. I have also taught at Rotorua Boys’ High, Katikati College, and Mount Maunganui College, where I am currently an English teacher. I served five years as Dean of the MMC 2021 cohort, and I have held HOD and Assistant HOD English roles. Between 1997 and 2004, I wrote, published, and marketed educational resources for our family business, I Am Products Ltd. I am one thesis away from completing my Master of Education from the University of Waikato.

Association information

PPTA Member: 1989–1997; 2004–2026. Mount Maunganui Branch: Secretary (2010–2011), Treasurer (2010–2015), Chair (2012–2015). Western Bay of Plenty Region: Treasurer (2011–2014), Chair (2015–2018). Executive Representation: WBOP/Hauraki Coromandel (2019–2025; from July 2026). Committees & Roles: Political Strategy (2019–2025), Executive Ethics (2019–2021), Management (2020–2022, 2024–2025), Professional Issues (2020–2024), STCA Negotiating Team (2022–2025), Surplus Staffing (2023–2025), De-streaming (2023–2025), Schools Advisory (2025), Sabbaticals Panel, Rainbow Taskforce, Curriculum Advisory, Te Roopu Matua, Learning & Development, and Conditions Strategy.

Personal statement

In 2025, I represented the Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki/Coromandel regions on the Executive Committee while serving on the Surplus Staffing and De-streaming Committees. As an active Executive member, I routinely moved papers and spoke to critical issues across the Schools, Professional, and Political Standing Committees. Beyond my Executive tenure, I have been a PPTA member for 32 years, held branch and regional roles for a decade, completed all three Mahi Tika courses, and actively contributed to Annual Conference and Organising Conference debates for 16 years. An important aspect of the Executive role is to advocate for and represent the views of the members of the Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki/Coromandel Regions, as well as to clearly communicate, in a timely fashion, information coming from National Office. I am a confident, effective, and clear communicator, unafraid of asking the tough questions, and I am keen to contribute at this level. A strategic, and hard-working activist, I have whānau ties to both regions through my mother (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Maru), and my father who grew up in Thames. I am approachable and accessible. As a fourth-generation teacher, I am deeply proud of our profession. I believe in the power of our collective. If elected to represent Western Bay of Plenty and Hauraki/Coromandel on the PPTA National Executive for 2027, I will continue advocating fiercely for classroom teachers and a highly trained, well-paid, and well-resourced public education system.

MICHELLE TUPPER

Thames High School

Ko Drakensberg te maunga. Ko Umzinduzi te awa. Ko Äwherika ki-to-Tonga te rwi. Ko Selwyn Rogers toku hoa rangatira. Ko Michelle Tupper ahau. Mauri ora ki a tatou katoa.

Personal information

I immigrated from South Africa and carry with me a strong appreciation for diversity, resilience, and the value of cross-cultural perspectives. Sport has always been an important part of my life; it continues to shape my outlook on teamwork and perseverance. Travelling and experiencing different cultures has further deepened my belief in understanding inclusivity and the importance of fostering belonging for all.

Professional information

Current -SENCo, Learning Support HOD and Literacy Lead - Thames High School Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning.

PPTA Micro-credential courses: Women in Educational Leadership Programme o Effective mentoring practices for secondary teachers in Aotearoa o Working collaboratively and building leadership capability of Contemporary classroom practices for a New Zealand context course.

Association information

2026 – 2026: PPTA Te Wehengarua National Executive - WBOP/Hauraki-Coromandel.

2025: PPTA Te Wehengarua National Women's Representative.

2023/24: PPTA Te Wehengarua Women's Rep (Tamaki Makaurau Executive); PPTA Te Wehengarua Women's Rep (Howick College Branch).

2021/22:PPTA Te Wehengarua Branch Chair (Howick College Branch).

2004 2026: PPTA Te Wehengarua Union Member.

Personal statement

I recently resigned from my Executive role due to an overseas Netball Coaching opportunity. Unfortunately, the circumstances disappointedly fell through. I am very eager to return to serving on the Executive. I have been greatly strengthened by the Union members I have met through numerous PPTA opportunities. Their leadership, solidarity, and advocacy have shown me the collective strength we hold when we work together - as leaders, as supporters, as agitators and as agents of change. Standing on the shoulders of Union stalwarts and Wähine toa who have gone before us, I am motivated to contribute to this ongoing legacy of progress.

My intent in standing for the Executive Committee again is to continue to champion inclusive education, equity, and belonging across our sector. In addition, Health, Safety and Wellbeing have become a core interest for me. I believe in strong collaboration and collective action as the foundation for meaningful change.

As an ex-elite athlete, I bring transferable strengths in teamwork, discipline, and strategic goal setting. I seek to serve on the Executive Committee again, with integrity, collaboration, and a forward-focused vision - working to empower teachers, strengthen our profession, and advance an equitable education system for all. Equity, Belonging, and Collective Strength.

Nä tö rourou, nä taku rourou ka ora ai te mahi-With your food basket and my food basket the work will be done.