Keynote Speakers

Dr Sarah Te One

Sarah Te One is the Principal Advisor, Education at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. Before taking on this role she was lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Sarah’s interests are in children’s rights and advocacy for young children and early childhood education policy, including curriculum and assessment issues. She is also interested in parent support and development in early childhood education and communities. Recent collaborative research experiences include two Centres of Innovation, a Ministry of Education project involving children in research and a TLRI investigating ECE and community wellbeing. Sarah has over 25 years experience in the early childhood sector.

Brenda Soutar

Brenda Soutar is Kaitiaki at Mana Tamariki Te Kohanga reo Mana Tamariki where she is the curriculum leader for their tamariki. Mana Tamariki nurtures children 0-17 years through to total immersion Maori language learning environments in their Kohanga reo, Kura Kaupapa Maori, and Wharekura (secondary school). Te Kohanga Reo Mana Tamariki was designated a Centre of Innovation as part of the Ministry of Education Centres of Innovation programme in 2008 – 2009