TEU welcomes three new kaiwhakahaere.

Three new kaiwhakahaere | organisers have joined the TEU team over the past few months. We have welcomed Yasmine Serhan in Tāmaki Makaurau, Gail Arthur in Ōtepoti, and Victoria Hughes in Kirikiriroa. All three are experienced and enthusiastic about advancing the interests of staff in our sector.

For Yasmine, a former early childhood teacher, before coming to us via an organising role at NZEI, “change is possible when you work collectively. I consider it to be a privilege to work alongside professionals and workers to improve collective working conditions.”

“I’m enjoying the diversity of our membership. I have met some of the most fascinating experts in their fields, creatives who share knowledge in ways beyond my pedagogical understanding, and people from all walks of life.”

Prior to joining TEU, Victoria was an Organiser with E tū and a delegate for many years before that. “A working life in the union movement seemed like a natural next step, I grew up surrounded by strong union advocates, my uncle in particular was a lighthouse for me, particularly on how workers should be treated, I often heard him say that the conditions of your employment are more important than anything, even money.”

“I’m looking forward to keeping up the fight, supporting members to continue to use their voices for the betterment of the collective.”

Gail’s background includes working in tertiary education as an administrator and team lead for the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago. “As a PSA delegate I became heavily involved in the PSA structures as rūnanga rep, women's network rep, co-convenor of the local delegates group, national convenor of the state sector committee and PSA exec board member from 2015-2019.”

“Following the restructure of Otago Uni's administrative and support services I took a leap into paid union mahi working as an organiser for E tū and NZNO unions before coming full circle and returning the tertiary sector as a TEU organiser in June last year.”

“I have always enjoyed the vibrancy of working in the tertiary environment where no two days are the same. Working for the TEU feels like coming home.”