TEU congratulates Charmaine Tukua.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is thrilled to congratulate long standing member Charmaine Tukua, who has been recognised by Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa as Educator of the year Tangata Whenua 2022.

ACE says the “award recognises Māori Educators for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education (for Māori). It is intended to be a tribute for outstanding work in teaching, training, administration, or a combination of these.”

“Charmaine Tukua is a great connector of people. Whether it is with prisoners learning Te Reo Māori, adult literacy tutors gaining a range of literacy and numeracy qualifications, students at Ara studying Tikanga and Te Reo Māori, or the wide range of colleagues that she has worked with and maintains contact with, Charmaine loves to connect with people. In particular, Charmaine has dedicated her time and skills to affect positive change for the under-served in communities.”

“Charmaine has been an essential and long-serving member of Te Puna Wānaka, at Ara Institute of Canterbury for over 25 years; as a student when Te Mātauranga Māori was first opened; over 20 years as a kaiako, and then Programme Leader; and now Operations Coordinator. For the majority of that time Charmaine has taught on the Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori Foundation Programmes with particular focus in Adult Education, Broadcasting and Engineering. A strong leader with wāhine Māori, she is often the first voice and face people see at any of the significant events at Ara.”