Meet Our Team

Rachael Tuwhangai
M.Ed & M.ProfSt (LangTch.)

Co-Director - MAPSS
Waikato-Maniapoto

Malesala Malesala
GDipArts, Interpreting and Translation
PGDip. Bicultural Professional Supervision
Co-director - MAPSS
Lufilufi, Leuleumoega, Taga, Falealupo

Rachael is a descendant of the Tainui Waka and of Waikato-Maniapoto iwi. She has an extensive background in education, research and evaluation and has held and continues to hold a range of governance roles for crown entities, private trusts and iwi.

Malesala has a background in Youth Forensics, Youth Justice and Youth Mental Health. He is a native speaker of the Sāmoan language and qualified translator. He facilitates cultural workshops and provides professional supervision.

Kimiora Malesala
BA/LLB, Profs

Project Coordinator
Waikato-Maniapoto, Lufilufi

Kimiora is our Project Coordinator and Research Assistant.  Kimiora graduated with a BA/LLB from the University of Auckland, and completed Professional Legal Studies with the College of Law. She is a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Kura Māori, with language fluency in Sāmoan, Māori and English.

Amorangi Malesala
BA/LLB
Curriculum Tester
Waikato-Maniapoto, Lufilufi
Uenuku Malesala

Curriculum Tester
Waikato-Maniapoto, Lufilufi

Amorangi is one of our Curriculum Testers.  She provides a fresh perspective on our resource development and tells us if they are ready for use or need refinements. Amorangi is also a professional athlete (netball) and holds a BA/LLB from the University of Waikato. She is a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Kura Māori, with language fluency in Sāmoan, Māori and English.

Uenuku is one of our Curriculum Testers. He checks our resources while in development and gives us feedback on whether there are any areas needing improvement. He is a graduate of Kōhanga Reo and Kura Māori, with language fluency in Sāmoan, Māori and English.

Audrey Luki

Project Assistant
Solosolo, Lepea, Moamoa, Salailua

Audrey is our Project Assistant and Resource Developer.  She ensures that our resources for Māori and Pasifika Languages are well presented and ready for public use.  Before joining MAPSS Audrey worked in HR. She is a fluent speaker of the Sāmoan language.

Meet Our Partners