Our Team
OUR TEAM He Toki Kaimahi
The He Toki Kaimahi are here to help you navigate your way on your journey to success. We can help you with your career aspirations and direct you to the right people at Ara and Otago to help with the enrolment process, scholarship information and academic support. He Toki is also well connected with industry employers committed to growing the next generation of Māori apprentices and industry leaders.
Ariana Te Whetu
He Toki Projects Advisor
Ariana has experience is within tertiary education pathways and qualifications for Māori students. Her work at the University of Canterbury and Ara Institute of Technology involved supporting course achievement for Māori students. Ariana can provide advise with your study options and career pathways.
Hemi Inia
He Toki Project Advisor
Hemi has 20 years’ experience working in the tertiary education sector. He has been involved in the He Toki programme since the Canterbury Rebuild and has helped many He Toki tauira into apprenticeships and industry employment. Hemi will be based at the Ara Trades campus in Woolston every Wednesday to help whānau with their career aspirations.
Jessica Thompson
Project Manager Ōtākou
Having worked in a variety of education and coordination roles for the past 16 years, Jess has an extensive knowledge of education curriculum, systems, and policies. Community oriented, Jess works hard to support others to set and achieve goals, accomplish milestones, and realize potential. Real and optimistic about the future, Jess knows that by working together we can ensure everyone thrives and succeeds.
Kaya Staples
Rangatahi Researcher
Ko Kaya Staples tōku ingoa. I am a rangatahi researcher for Tokona Te Raki supporting the evaluation of He Toki to understand the enablers, challenges and barriers for our Māori tauira. As an ex-Ara student and pre-health graduate I bring my own personal experience and knowledge of being a Māori student in a tertiary environment. I believe we are influenced by the environment that surrounds us and the people we come across on our journeys. The research I do for He Toki will help make sense of your learning environment and understand how best to adapt and innovate your environment to improve outcomes.
Tainui Pompey
Rangatahi Researcher
Ko Tainui Pompey tōku ingoa. After spending some time in the electrical industry working on large scale construction sites in Aotearoa and Australia, I witness first-hand the lack of opportunities for our people, the challenges of working in the building industry and the need for pastoral support. I am now a rangatahi researcher for Tokona Te Raki supporting the employment transition and evaluation of He Toki Trade Training students to highlight the opportunities and to help support your journey.
