Understanding Te Whatu Pokeka

As pouako for Te Rito Maioha, Mero supports staff and students to ensure their practices are culturally appropriate. She also lectures on mātauranga Māori and provides guidance on teacher practice through a Māori lens. As curriculum advisor Māori, Mero offers cultural support and guidance for all Te Rito Maioha staff and advises on the use of te reo Māori.

Mero has worked in education since the for over 15 years crossing between ECE, primary, and tertiary education with a focus on kaupapa Māori-based practice. As a kaupapa Māori practitioner, Mero’s research highlights the importance of developing a culturally rich repertoire of skills that addresses the inequities of education in Aotearoa. Having worked across all stages of learning and development, Mero knows the importance of investing in tamariki mokopuna in their early years to sustain the health and development of whānau, hapū, and iwi. Her teaching philosophy is based on whakapapa and the recognition of mana in practice. Mero puts this into practice by providing holistic support to students through clear communication and modelling mana-enhancing behaviours to set good teaching standards for future kaiako.