Keynote Speakers
LEALI'IE'E DR TUFULASI TALENI
Originally from Vaiafai, Iva, Samoa, Dr. Tufulasi Taleni is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury and a holder of three Matai titles. Since moving to New Zealand in 1985, he has transitioned from classroom teaching to national leadership in Pasifika education.
A prolific researcher, he was the first Pasifika recipient of the NZARE Rae Munro Award (2017) and recently received the Sutton Smith Doctoral Thesis Excellence Award (2024). In 2025, he published his book, Tautai – Master Navigator. Guided by his father’s philosophy of humble service, Tufulasi remains a pivotal voice in national advisory boards and community initiatives.
MOEFIAINU DAISY LAVEA-TIMO
Moefiainu Daisy Lavea-Timo is a New Zealand born Sāmoan educator and poet whose work is deeply rooted in her ancestry and her role as a tulafale (orator chief). Lavea-Timo explores what it means to sustain and construct her identity as a product of the Sāmoan diaspora. The 2017 NZ Slam Poetry champion, her poetry is the dynamic and indigenous response of her Sāmoan-ness and her work strives to communicate ideas about the complex societal issues connected with culture and leadership. From her vantage point at the intersections of the many worlds she navigates: a wife and mama, a former teacher, Southern Regional Manager for the Ministry of Youth Development and current Director of Cross-Polynate, an indigenous Social Change Agency-Lavea-Timo facilitates transformational vā- spaces for reflection, appreciation, learning and celebration of Pacific ways of knowing, being and leading others, leading change and leading self.
SAUNOAMAALII KARANINA SUMEO
Saunoamaalii Karanina Sumeo is a Samoan-born human rights advocate, mother of three and lives in Tamaki Makurau, Auckland. She was the Pacific Advisor to the People's Select Committee on Pay Equity.
Karanina served as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission from 2018 to 2024, where she advocated internationally and locally for social and economic equity for all, especially Pacific and indigenous peoples, women, migrants, and marginalized workers. Her professional background includes social work, tertiary education, health, women's rights and advocacy for marginalised communities. Karanina holds a PhD in public policy from Auckland University of Technology, and qualifications in social work, social policy and science
TRACEY SAVELIO
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Workshop Speakers
JOCELYN PAITI
Tēnā koutou, myself and Neil are both teachers at Forest View High School in Tokoroa. Both born and raised here seeking to uplift our children and give back to the community that has given so much to us. I am a Aotearoa born Māori Kūki ʻĀirani, connecting to Rarotonga & Aitutaki.I am a business teacher who also runs a small business but has years experience teaching technology.
DR IMRAN TUFAIL
Dr. Imran Tufail is an experienced educator working across both secondary and tertiary contexts. His practice sits at the intersection of science education, student engagement, and culturally responsive pedagogy. He has published in well-recognised research journals, contributed to newspaper articles and book chapters, and presented his work at international conferences worldwide.
Dr. Tufail brings a strong international perspective to his teaching and is committed to aligning his practice with the values of Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on inclusivity, equity, and partnership.
ANA PERELINI
With 22 years of experience in Health and Physical Education, I am a dedicated educator of Samoan and Māori descent. Throughout my career, I have worked with students from all walks of life, nationalities, and abilities and have been driven by a core passion for helping every young person reach their full potential in the gym, on the court and in life.
While committed to the success of all learners, I hold a special place in my heart for Māori and Pasifika students. By relating through our shared heritage and lived experience, I hope to serve as a powerful role model for my students, recognising the vital connection between the classroom, the student, and their aiga/ whānau
ADELE TOWGOOD
Adele Towgood is the PPTA Deputy General Secretary for Membership. Supporting the Field and Legal teams as well as ensuring all members are aware of their rights and responsibilities through the PPTA Education programme is a core part of Adele’s role. This includes the development of 'best practice' polices and processes to help schools establish and maintain positive work environments.
The Field Staff workshop for FONO is guided by experienced Field Officers Jo Martin, Kathleen West and Te Mataroa Daniel Hapuku
NEIL WILKINSON
Tēnā koutou, myself and Jocelyn are both teachers at Forest View High School in Tokoroa. Both born and raised here seeking to uplift our children and give back to the community that has given so much to us. Neil Wilkinson I am Māori & 3rd generation Aotearoa born Samoan, he uri ahau nō Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Kawiti, Ngāti Whakaue. I have been teaching digital technology for three years.
MELISSA DENZLER
Melissa Denzler (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Rarawa)
is Kairangahau Māori and Kaitohu Mātauranga at the New Zealand
Council for Educational Research (NZCER). Before moving into education advisory
and research, she was a secondary school teacher for more than 25 years. Her
work is grounded in kaupapa Māori, equity, and culturally sustaining
education. Alongside her research and evaluation work, she works
with kura to support the equitable and thoughtful use of
assessment and data. She
is currently undertaking a PhD focused on cultural taxation, intersectionality,
and the lived experiences of kaiako Māori in English-medium
settings.
NATALIE FAITALA
BEd, BSocSci, DipTchg, DipYouth Development, GradDipTESSOL, PGDipEd, MEd, MEdLd.
Natalie Faitala is of Cook Islands, Tahitian, Samoan and European descent. Natalie is the PPTA Executive member for the Counties-Manukau Region and HOD English at Wesley College in South Auckland. Natalie also serves
on several panels and committees including the ASB Polyfest Komiti Whakahaere, NZQA Taupulega and is the secretary for the Cook Islands Teachers and Educators’ Collective Aotearoa. Natalie is a member of the Tirotiro Anō research panel seeking to understand the impacts that the proposed changes to our national assessment framework will have.
MAKERITA TAGOMOA-PAPALI'I
Makerita Tagomoa-Papali’i is a qualified educator with over 30 years teaching
experience. Having held a wide range of roles and responsibilities from pastoral to academic as well as, cultural to servant leadership. Her passion and commitment of taking students and staff on Malaga Tautua / Service Trips
Abroad to the Pacific Islands (Tonga & Samoa) is very rewarding for those participating and those receiving. She is currently completing her master's in educational leadership and strongly believes that the foundation to connecting with our young people evolves around building strong responsive relationships (whakawhanaungatanga). One of her core belief and value is through a Samoan
Proverb - 'O le ala i le pule, o le tautua’ - The pathway to leadership is through service.
PREETIKA KRISHNAN
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CAMILLIA PADGETT
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LIMU MANU
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PHIL SCHWALGER
Phill Schwalger (BA Hons Psych, M.Ed) is a New Zealand-born German Samoan educator with over 25 years of experience in the Psychology and Social Science space. Since 1999, Phill has taught at a diverse range of institutions across Aotearoa and Victoria, Australia—including Te Kaupapa Whakaora (TKW), Kurunjang Secondary College, St Pauls, and Haeata Community Campus. A key highlight of his pedagogical career was contributing to the development of the Ministry of Education Teaching and Learning guide for Psychology (2012).
In 2024, Phill launched Schwalger Tautua, a community-focused initiative dedicated to safety in collision sports. Combining his psychological background with high-level athletic training (NRL Level 1 trainer; practitioner of Aikido and The Hurunui System), he provides strapping, mentoring, and "intellectual sponsorship" for youth and community ‘premier’ teams. His work sits at the intersection of physical safety and mental resilience.
TE MATAROA DANIEL HĀPUKU
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JO MARTIN
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SUSAN HAUGH-LEACH
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KATE GAISNFORD
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KATHLEEN KAVENEY
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GABBY MAKISI
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NINA OBERG
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MARIA LEMALIE
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ADELE SCOTT
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ALISI TATAFU
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SALAINAOLOA WILSON-UILI
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Questions? Contact us