Nominations for Junior Vice President

Your Junior Vice President Candidates:

Natalie Faitala - Wesley College   Felicity Kaiwai - Mangakōtukutuku College

Clare Preston - Wellington High School   Anthony Urwin - Wellington Girls' College

Natalie Faitala - Wesley College

Personal information

He uri ahau nō Te Moana Nui a Kiwa me Iuropi. I te taha o tōku pāpā ko Tongareva, ko Tahiti, ko Nowei hoki ōna iwi. I te taha o tōku māmā ko Airani, ko Ingarihi, ko Koterana, ko Hāmoa hoki ōna iwi. I pakeke ake ahau i Awaikairangi. Ko David Faitala tōku hoa Rangatira. Ko Xavier, rātou ko Samsara, ko D’Artagnan ā māua tamariki. Kei Pukekohekohe āhau i noho ana. Turou Hawaiki!

Professional information

BEd, BSocSci, DipTchg, DipYouth Development, GradDipTESSOL, PGDipEd, M.Ed, M.EdLd (Hons). I have been teaching in the secondary sector for the past 27 years, I am currently HOD English at Wesley College in South Auckland. I have also worked part-time as a Kaihapai (teacher educator) for Ako Mātātupu – Teach First New Zealand. Before teaching in New Zealand, I taught at Tereora College in Rarotonga. I am a member of NZQA Taupulega – NZQA Pacific Advisory Group and a member of the Komiti Whakahaere for the ASB Polyfest. I serve as the Secretary for the Cook Islands Teachers and Educators Collective NZ. I was heavily involved in the NCEA Review process under the previous government as a member of the Professional Advisory Group, Subject Experts Group for English and the first new English Curriculum writers’ group.

Association information

I have been a member of PPTA since 2004. Association roles held at a Branch Level include Chair, secretary, treasurer, Pasifika teacher’s Rep, and Women’s Rep. Regional Level: Chair, Pasifika Rep. National Level: Executive member for Komiti Pasifika. Currently – Wesley College Branch Secretary/ Treasurer, Executive member for Counties/Manukau Region, and member of the Professional Issues Advisory Committee and PPTA Management Committee.

I have also been the recipient of the PPTA Guy Allan Award for Branch Activism and a PPTA Service Award. I have held roles for the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and served on the PPTA Executive for two different periods of time, once as the PPTA Komiti Pasifika Executive Member and as the current Counties Manukau PPTA Executive member. I have been on the PPTA Management Committee for the past 3 years. This year I have enjoyed being a part of the PPTA commissioned Tirotiro Anō research panel.

Personal statement

Kia orana koutou katoatoa! PPTA is our united membership. My vision for PPTA is that we become the go-to organisation for consultation on secondary education matters and decision making. I would like to continue to work to have PPTA’s voice heard and respected at the highest levels. I understand that as a unified front we have the power to make a positive difference. It is always a privilege and a pleasure to carry out different roles within PPTA. I am passionate about education, equity, and fairness. I am driven to advocate for better conditions, services and supports for both kaiako and ākonga. I feel strongly about the importance of wellbeing for teachers and students. I like to find ways to support teachers to enjoy all the great things about our profession. These are the reasons I put myself forward to be the JVP for PPTA Te Wehengarua. Kia orana e kia Manuia!

Felicity Kaiwai - Mangakōtukutuku College

Personal information

E ngā mema o PPTA Te Wehengarua, tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Felicity Kaiwai tōku ingoa. Drawing on whakapapa to Ngāti Porou, Taranaki, Tūhoe, Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Ranginui, and as a descendant of Tā Āpirana Ngata, my leadership is grounded in intergenerational flourishing. His words, “E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tōu ao,” guide a commitment to preparing the next generation for the modern world while remaining strong in their cultural identity.

Professional information

More than twenty years in education have shaped a leadership approach grounded in culture, relationships and innovation. Standing for Junior Vice President is an opportunity to strengthen connections between PPTA Te Wehengarua members, branches, regions and national structures. Strong local networks help us organise, advocate and ensure national decisions reflect members’ realities. Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake has an important role in ensuring Māori voice and kaupapa help shape the direction of our collective.

At Mangakōtukutuku College, leadership responsibilities span digital technology, curriculum, culture and wellbeing, alongside teaching Digital Technology, Te Ao Māori and STEM. Cross-school work has included local curriculum, mātauranga Māori and digital innovation, with a growing focus on responsible AI that honours Te Tiriti and Māori data sovereignty. This builds on 17 years at Rotorua Girls’ High School, where middle leadership centred on pastoral care, belonging and school culture.

Current study towards a Master of Indigenous Studies focuses on Te Tiriti-led AI governance, data sovereignty and future-focused leadership. Qualifications also include a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor of Computing Systems.

Association information

PPTA involvement since 2006 has included collective bargaining and sector change. As a Māori Representative, this has included advocating for Māori voice at branch level, involvement with Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake and the Māori Teachers Conference, and relationships with Te Arawa Pouako i te Reo and the Tainui Teachers Association. Contributions to Ngā Manu Kōrero and Secondary School Kapa Haka across Te Arawa and Tainui sit alongside involvement with Māori, technology, and digital technology teacher networks. PPTA learning has included Karanga and Whaikōrero Wānanga, Ending Streaming, and Mahi Tika 2.

Personal statement

PPTA Te Wehengarua’s strength comes from its members. Strong branches build strong regions, and together they strengthen our national voice. As Junior Vice President, I am committed to growing our collective mana across these levels and keeping national advocacy grounded in members' lived experiences. Together, we will bridge local voice and national action to ensure the entire Association truly flourishes together.

Kōtahi te puāwaitanga, kōtahi te ārahitanga.

Clare Preston - Wellington High School

Personal information

Ko Parihaka te maunga

Ko Hātea te awa

Nō Whangārei ahau

Ko Ngā Puhi ko Tangata Tiriti ōku iwi

Ko Hongi Hika tōku tūpuna

Ko Clare Preston tōku ingoa

Professional information

I am a kaiako of Tikanga-a-iwi/Social Studies at Te Kura Tuarua o Taraika ki Pukeahu/Wellington High School. I feel really proud to be part of the shift in education, where ākonga now have better access to learning about Aotearoa's past and present than previous generations have; something we must defend.

Anthony Urwin - Wellington Girls’ College

Personal information

I am an experienced and committed secondary school kaiako with a strong professional focus. At Wellington Girls’ College, I work to create opportunities for ākonga to develop confidence, cultural identity, leadership, belonging, and academic success.

In my roles as a teacher I contribute across curriculum, pastoral, cultural, and leadership areas. I lead senior Te Reo Māori curriculum, assessment, NCEA programmes, student progress, and achievement, while also providing pastoral leadership, mentoring, whānau engagement, and advocacy.

I am committed to culture, identity, and perspectives that are visible and valued within education and advocacy for the profession. My practice is grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, ako, kotahitanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Beyond my school, I contribute actively to NZPPTA Te Wehengarua through Māori leadership, advocacy, collective bargaining, policy development, and professional representation. I have contributed through the National Executive and Management Committee, Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake Komiti, Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti, Branch and Regional representation, and the STCA Negotiation Team.

My leadership is grounded in service. I am committed to strengthening the teaching leadership, promoting teacher voice, and supporting equitable outcomes for ākonga, kaiako, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.

Personal statement

I am a passionate kaiako, leader, and advocate for learning, Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Māori, and the teaching profession. My commitment to education is grounded in the belief that every young person deserves to feel valued, supported, and confident in their identity, while every teacher deserves to work in a profession that is respected, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change.

My involvement in NZPPTA Te Wehengarua has strengthened my understanding of the importance of collective teacher advocacy and the role unions play in shaping education policy, working conditions, equity, and outcomes for students. I want to contribute actively to the profession beyond my own school by bringing a Māori perspective, advocating for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and supporting initiatives that strengthen teachers, ākonga, whānau, and communities. I value the opportunity to participate in professional discussion, contribute to policy development, represent teacher perspectives, and help ensure that Māori voices are visible and heard within our profession.

Ultimately, I want to contribute to an education system where teachers are valued, Māori language and culture are strengthened, and every young person can succeed with confidence, pride, and a strong sense of belonging. My commitment is to continue learning, leading, advocating, and contributing collectively through NZPPTA Te Wehengarua for the benefit of our profession and future generations.

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