Meet Our Team
Rachael Tuwhangai
M.Ed & M.ProfSt (LangTch.)
Co-Director - MAPSS
Tainui, Waikato-Maniapoto
Malesala Malesala
GDipArts, Interpreting and Translation
PGDip. Bicultural Professional Supervision
Co-Director - MAPSS
Lufilufi, Leuleumoega, Taga, Falealupo
Rachael has an extensive background in education, teacher education and teacher professional development with experience in both English and Māori Immersion settings. She has worked on the build of new kura and written research and evaluation reports for Government Ministries. She holds 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
Tainui, 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
Tainui, Waikato-Maniapoto, Lufilufi
Uenuku Malesala
Curriculum Tester
Tainui, 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
Machelle
B Ed Hons
Director Te Orewai LTD
PLD Facilitator
Ngāpuhi
Hailing from Ngāpuhi, Machelle brings over 30 years of teaching experience in Māori medium education. As a fluent reo Māori speaker, she has dedicated much of her career to fostering the growth and development of both language and teaching practice within Māori medium. Her focus has been on empowering educators with the skills and knowledge needed to engage students in meaningful, culturally responsive learning environments that honor the richness of te reo Māori and Māori worldviews.