Nominations for Regional Executive - Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (Eastern Ward)

JOHN DYER-CAUSTON

Auckland Grammar School

Personal information

I'm married to Melissa, a visual art teacher and Head of Faculty. We have one son, Oisin, who is about to head off to university next year. I am originally from the UK, but consider myself a New Zealander.

Professional information

BA(hons) Humanities Combined — Ulster University.

PGCE - University of Greenwich.

Association information

Branch Chair – 2020-Present.

Tamaki Makaurau Eastern Ward Convenor – 2022-Present.

Guy Allen Award for Branch Activism – 2023.

Personal statement

I have been involved with unionism since university, holding student union positions throughout my undergraduate years. I have a simple belief that if you are an employee, it makes perfect sense to be in a union.

It is important to remember that the working conditions that we enjoy today were never freely given, but had to be fought for by the power of the collective. There is power in a union.

The strength of the PPTA is grounded in our grassroots activism and the broad range of members who make up our collective. We can appreciate differences of opinion and still work together to improve the pay and conditions for teachers. I believe that our association is a role model for other unions and associations that must take up the cause Of workers It is my hope that members become more aware of the power of our collective and begin to engage more in branch activism.

In a world that seems to be becoming more atomised, believe that our association can offer a touchstone, where people can feel they belong to something that offers a clear purpose.

LISA MURPHY

Epsom Girls’ Grammar School

Personal information

I grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, Waiatarau - Freemans Bay. I am from a large family with strong connections to education and teaching. I attended Western Springs College, AUT, UoA (MFA - Hons) and Auckland College of Education.

Professional information

My professional experience includes teaching, leadership, curriculum and assessment. I have led Art History and Design courses, been Kāhui Ako Across-School Teacher (8 years) and Acting Deputy Principal. I have tutored training teachers and I help lead my subject association. I currently work as a SENCO and Philosophy/Psychology teacher at Epsom Girls Grammar School. In 2025 I took up a PPTA study grant to complete my MEdLd (1st Class Hons) researching charter schools in Aotearoa; their historical political beginnings and the risks they represent for education as a common, public good.

Association information

I have been a PPTA member since I started teaching, always  involved at branch level. I was Branch Chair at Epsom Girls Grammar School 2020- 2024. I am currently Deputy Chair of the Tāmaki Makaurau PPTA Regional Committee.

Personal statement

The last three years have been the strangest times I have experienced in education, and that is saying something, having taught through COVID and the Auckland floods. The recent pace of change and U-turns in curriculum have taken the meaning of education as a “political football” to a whole new level. I believe education, curriculum and our national qualification are too important to be treated in this way. Teachers work within these systems and our voices need to help shape curriculum and assessment for the students and future of Aotearoa. We need genuine consultation and cross-party agreement.

Workload is a key issue for me, and I am seeing workload increase amid the current economic pressures and curriculum development. Teachers are the ones who will interpret the curriculum, design courses, assessments, mark, moderate and work out how changes will serve the students in front of us. Much of this will happen while we are still delivering the framework we are moving away from. This is a significant additional workload. As a union, we need to ask where the time will come from and fight for it.

Social media and AI are also changing teachers’ work and our students’ learning. What does quality teaching and assessment look like as these technologies develop? How do we protect professional expertise and work security while also making meaningful use of AI?

These issues affect our daily lives as teachers, and have implications for recruitment, retention and the future of our profession. The Eastern Ward of Tāmaki Makaurau brings a strong and important voice on these issues and I would appreciate your vote to represent your voices on the PPTA Executive.