MEET THE TEAM
Tui Halatokoua
Principal
Mālo e lelei, I have the absolute pleasure of leading this amazing kura as tumuaki. Over my many years in education I have worked alongside many amazing tamariki and staff, and am excited to work with the dynamic team here at Awapuni. Awapuni Schools MANA values; Manaakitanga, Mana Tangata, Mana Atua and Mahi Tahi are in line with my personal values also. I enjoy Fishing, diving and spending time outdoors. I love music and training. I love to grow leaders and promote a growth mindset among our tamariki.
Mālo 'aupito
Contact Tui:
Deputy Principal, Teacher Year 1/2
Janine Stephens
Ngati Rangi, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Muaupoko, Ngati Apa ki te Ra Tō, Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Puhi.
I have taught at Awapuni School for almost 10 years in the new entrant class. I have been a part of the Awapuni School community for the last 16 years as three of my children attended Awapuni School. As a parent I coached sports teams, maintained the swimming pool and was a teacher aide. I love working in the junior school and have high expectations for the children’s learning and achievement. I am constantly learning te reo Māori and this is reflected in the classroom. Play is also an important part of my classroom in order to support the children’s social and emotional learning and development as well as providing opportunities for them to explore, experiment, problem solve and be creative.
Contact Janine:
janine@awapuni-primary.school.nz
Erica Meads
Assistant Principal, Curriculum LSC
Kia Ora! My name is Erica Meads and I have been teaching since 2007. I have taught in Wellington, Palmerston North and Feilding and spent 2 years in London. I am excited to be on the team at Awapuni and work with an awesome bunch of learners from this community. I particularly value the relationships I build with learners and their whanau and love to work in an environment where learning is mixed with laughter! I have a particular passion for the arts and enjoy integrating drama into my programme and outside of the classroom enjoy participating in community theatre. I strive to create an environment where children have a voice within their own education and that they are able to build on their own unique passions and talents at school.
Contact Erica:
erica@awapuni-primary.school.nz
Kraut Houston
Teacher - Senior Mainstream (Yr 5-6)
My name is Carl Houston but call me Kraut. Born in Palmerston North, raised up in Shannon and at our marae Ngāti Whakatere between Shannon and Foxton. The main iwi I whakapapa too is Ngāti Raukawa, Tūwharetoa and Rangitāne. I travelled for 13 years in my heyday and in 2006 arrived back to the mainland where I enrolled at UCOL and studied Exercise and Sport Science. I worked for Midcentral Health for 4 and half years when I decided to do my postgrad in Teaching. I have been teaching for 5 years now and love it. Mauriora!
Contact Kraut:
kraut@awapuni-primary.school.nz
Te Araorehua Ponga
Teacher - Senior Maori Medium (Yr 4-6)
Te Ara is our kaiako in the Senior Bilingual classroom, teaching our Year 4 - 6 students in a Māori Medium.
Contact Te Ara:
Sarai Pilkington
Teacher - Junior Maori Medium (Yr 0-3)
Sarai is our kaiako in the Junior Bilingual classroom, teaching from New Entrant - Year 3 students in a Māori Medium.
Contact Sarai:
sarai@awapuni-primary.school.nz
Felicity Harper-Quayle
Teacher - Year 3-4 Mainstream
Felicity has joined our team in 2023 as a beginning teacher for our class of Year 3-4 students.
Contact Felicity:
Secretary / Office Manager
Hayley Fraser
Kia ora, I moved into the school office in the beginning of 2022. I'm the face to greet you coming into the administration block, and your to go for anything school or student management related.
Contact Hayley:
admin@awapuni-primary.school.nz
Keri-Michele Rukuwai
Teacher Aide & Kapa Haka Facilitator
Keri-Michele is our amazing Teacher Aide, working closely with students in the junior school to further enhance their learning, and facilitates Kapa Haka at our kura.
Koare Paniora
School Maintenance
Koare can be seen working around the school doing all the hard work to keep our grounds looking spick & span.
Claire is our specialist Reading Recovery teacher, supporting students with their literacy in a one-to-one environment.
Claire Whitehead
Reading Recovery
