In this series we are introducing you to some of the awesome people who will be part of our new, independent tertiary education organisation, Te Mahi Ako.
Chauntelle Brown will be Te Mahi Ako’s kaitohutohu (bicultural advisor).
She spent seven years working in a regional sports trust, developing programmes and events for schools, and helping community organisations to access sport and recreation funding. A love of learning, community, and growth – these are all things that drive Chauntelle. Her gifts in all these areas are interwoven with her Māori identity and worldview.
Having grown up on and around her ancestral marae, and learning the stories and tikanga from her elders, she’s passionate about sharing mātauranga Māori with both Māori and tauiwi (non-Māori). In her role she will be working with Te Mahi Ako staff to build their confidence and capability as Te Tiriti partners, and help them advocate for Māori values and approaches.
"A huge part of my role is to build and strengthen Māori capability by embedding and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles across our organisation, normalising those principles, and inspiring staff to embrace te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and matāuranga Māori.
"For me this is not a role, it's an honour," Chauntelle says. "Times have finally changed for the betterment of our people, and our tūpuna would be weeping tears of joy.
"Me eke ngā ngaru o te wā, ki te kore ai, ka kai rehutai - You’ve got to move with the times and if you don’t, you’ll be left behind."
