Haere Mai, Jasmin!

Kidsfirst is delighted to welcome our new Pouhere Ako Māori, Jasmin Ngawai. Jasmin will be delivering support throughout the network to deepen understanding of Te Ao Māori, te reo and tikanga Māori, building bicultural practice with a particular emphasis on Whanaungatanga.

Jasmin has a Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Endorsed by Hoaka Pounamu: Te Reo Bilingual and Immersion Teaching). She spent 17 years in an early childhood community centre, with seven of those years as the Kaihautū; so she knows the sector very well. Jasmin is looking forward to working with the Education Team and wider Kidsfirst community.

"The vision that I can see from the team is something that sits in me as well. We’re all very keen to get it right, to strengthen our next generation and our kaiako. We are really keen to have this happen, in a meaningful way, within this organisation. I can see, Kidsfirst is really passionate about getting this right."

Jasmin explains that when she interviewed for her position, it was evident that the focus wasn't just about activities or events - the lens is wider now.

"Te Reo Māori is one aspect of our culture but having the practice behind it is quite huge," she explains.

"Part of what I want in my journey is to normalise Te Reo Māori. The biggest thing is - it’s cool to have all these words down such as manaakitanga and or kaitiakitanga, but what does that look like? We can have all these wonderful words - we do this and we do that, but show me what it looks like! Don't just say manaakitanga. Talk to me about that. I go into some kindergartens - and their bicultural practice, I can see it and I can feel it. They’ve got the passion for it. It doesn't matter if it's the Māori words or the English words. When I walk into your kindergarten what can I see? What are you proud of? Can I see your whānau connections? What are you passionate about? It can't just be superficial and 'we’ll put this down because it ticks a box'."

Jasmin says that deepening the bicultural connections within Kidsfirst, is about each and every one of us playing a part.

"The journey of te reo Māori is about YOU. It’s not about me saying you need to, you should be doing this… it’s a huge journey and we need to bring people along for the ride. You need buy-in. We want people to want to do it."

There's certainly a lot happening and plenty of mahi to do, and Jasmin says as big as the job is, she's fortunate to have so much support from others within Kidsfirst.

"The team I sit alongside are amazing, full of knowledge. I’ll learn just as much from them as they’ll take from me. All I hope is that I can leave a legacy of being approachable and of working together. I’m not scary. I just think that if we can all get on the same waka, it doesn’t matter what part of the waka we’re in, we can start moving and not go around in circles, in a little whirlpool. Our waka will slowly make it to its destination. It’s a work in progress. It’s not going to happen today, it’s not going to happen tomorrow, but it will happen.