TEU warmly welcomes 2026/27 Tumu Whakarae | National Presidents.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is proud to announce the election of Garrick Cooper and Ti Lamusse as our incoming 2026/27 Tumu Whakarae – Māori | National President – Māori and Tumu Whakarae – Tiriti | National President – Tiriti respectively.

Garrick Cooper, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whanaunga, is an Associate Professor in the Aotahi School of Māori & Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. He brings over 30 years of service and experience in the higher education sector as a pāpā, koro, researcher and academic.

Ti Lamusse is a lecturer in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. He brings more than a decade’s experience in social movement organising and organisational governance. He has previously set up organisations and run campaigns on issues such as criminal justice transformation, climate action, anti-fascism, anti-war, Palestine solidarity, clean air in schools, rainbow rights, and renters’ rights.

Ti is excited for the future of TEU. “Our members want change in the system. They are suffering through the consequences of decades of underfunding. I’ll be there to stand up alongside them for the future of tertiary education.”

“I’m deeply passionate about keeping members involved in our decision-making. I’m looking forward to meeting more of them face-to-face in the coming months to discuss the future of our sector.”

“This is also a wonderful opportunity to work alongside Matua Garrick, who brings a lot of mana to the role of Tumu Whakarae – Māori | National President – Māori.”

Garrick sees his new leadership role as “both a challenge and opportunity to represent our members in these difficult and challenging times.”

He says his first task will be to “caucus the membership and build a more nuanced picture of the ways in which TEU members are directly affected by changes in government policy and ensure that the TEU is well placed to respond to their needs.”

“It’s tough out there – There are a lot of restructurings and disestablishments happening and people are hurting. They expect and deserve us to be a strong voice for them and alongside them fighting for the tertiary education system they and their students deserve.”

“I’m excited to work closely with Ti. He has a different skill set to mine and our skills are complimentary.”

Garrick and Ti will begin their new roles on 1 February 2026. Our current Tumu Whakarae, Huhana Watene and Dr Julie Douglas, remain as National Presidents until then.