TEU welcomes our new Pou Tuarā.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union welcomed our newest member of staff a fortnight ago when Kim Harris started work as Te Pou Tuarā | Māori Officer at annual conference.

Kim has whakapapa connections to Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Awa. She lives in Porirua with her partner Daniel who works in the public service.

Kim joins Te Hautū Kahurangi having served Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, Te Ao Marama Aotearoa Trust and government agencies such as Te Tāhū o Te Ture | Ministry of Justice, Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health and Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries.

Kim says she is humbled to be serving in her new role and she looks forward to working with the wider Te Hautū Kahurangi whānau.

“I’m here to work hard with members and staff to help TEU keep pushing forward on its Tiriti journey. My first priority will be to develop systems and processes that will ensure we continue living up to our whāinga and mātāpono now and into the future.”

“There’s a saying – ‘go fast, go alone or go far, go together’ – I prefer the latter approach and I hope that’s what I do.”

“From what I’ve experienced so far, TEU are a choice bunch of people. I’ve been really impressed by the diversity and inclusion – lots of organisations talk about these things but TEU is living its values.”

“It’s a privilege to see so many voices from so many different backgrounds and cultures come together, be heard, be accommodated and treated with respect.”

“I’m new to union mahi but I have always believed that union membership is important. When you need someone to fight for you, the union is there and I am excited to be part of that kaupapa.”