Hoana
Te Aika

Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Literacy (Rūmaki) – Waikato University 

Bachelor of Teaching (Rūmaki) – Waikato University

Executive and Organisational Coaching Certificate, International Coaching Federation (ICF)

Ministry of Education Accredited Facilitator (Rangaranga Reo ā Tā me te Poutama Pangarau)

Teaching Council registration: Tuturu

Professional profile

With 25 years of experience in education, Hoana Te Aika brings deep expertise in Rumaki and Māori-medium education across Waikato and Te Tai Tokerau. She is committed to advancing equitable outcomes for all mokopuna and strengthening culturally grounded practice in schools and kura.

Hoana played a key role in establishing a Charter School that later transitioned into a Special Character School. She co-designed the Kura Rumaki special character curriculum, developed innovative learning programmes, and helped build a strong culture of ako that connected kaiako, whānau, and the wider community.

A skilled facilitator and mentor, Hoana supports schools to create inclusive, high-trust learning environments where Māori can be successful as Māori. She designs impactful PLD, leads collaborative wānanga, and works with kaiako, leaders, and whānau to strengthen sustainable and future-focused practices.

Strengths and areas of expertise include:

• Poutama Pāngarau: Supporting kaiako to understand and apply the mathematical progression steps to strengthen mokopuna thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
  
  
• Rangaranga Reo ā Tā: Helping kaiako build strong linguistic knowledge and language-use practices that deepen reo Māori proficiency across learning.
  
  
• Culturally responsive pedagogy: Creating learning environments that honour identity, language, and culture.
• Curriculum design & strategic planning: Co-constructing meaningful programmes that reflect the needs and aspirations of communities.
  
  
• Mentoring & facilitation: Leading PLD that grows teacher capability and builds collaborative, reflective practice.
  
  

Hoana’s work is grounded in kaupapa Māori values and driven by a commitment to uplifting the potential of every learner.

Expertise

• Marau ā-kura – localised curriculum
• Coaching and mentoring
• Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
• Te Akoranga Anamata – future-focused learningDesign-thinking methods to solve problems

Collaboration

• Agile planning tools to aid collaboration in teachers and learners
• Leading change by working with learning communities
• Working alongside other educators to develop practice
• Using distributed leadership to support others
• Mentoring and Coaching

Recent mahi includes:

• Rangaranga Reo ā Tā and Poutama Pāngarau Facilitator – Tātai Aho Rau
• Aromatawai Facilitation
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Te Poipoi Kaiako – Mentor Support Programme for provisionally certificated teachers and their mentors

Personal statement

“Ko te tamaiti te moemoeā o te iwi, te tawhiti o tana rere ka rite tonu ki te hōhonu, me te mārama o ā tātou whakariterite.”
A child is the dream of the people. The distance they will fly depends on the depth and clarity of our decisions.

This guiding whakataukī reflects my commitment to ensuring that every decision—whether in facilitation, mentoring, curriculum design, or leadership—uplifts the potential of our mokopuna. It reinforces the belief that thoughtful, culturally grounded, and strategically aligned actions shape the learning journeys of our mokopuna.