Overview#

The group is made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for:

• Māori learners in English medium and Māori medium settings
• all learners of the Māori language in English and Māori medium settings.

Māori Education Advisory Group established – Beehive.govt.nz

Membership#

Current members#

Will Workman (Chair) (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa) 

Will Workman (Chair) (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa) specialises in Māori social and economic policy advice and is a seasoned public policy practitioner with extensive experience in senior executive roles across the public service. Will was appointed on 2 September 2024.

Olivia Hall (Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia) 

Olivia Hall (Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia) has significant experience in leadership roles across the education sector and is former Chair of the Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group (part of the Iwi Chairs Forum), and former Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua in Whakatū | Nelson. Olivia was appointed on 2 September 2024.

Dame Georgina Kingi DNZM QSO (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāi Tai)

Dame Georgina Kingi DNZM QSO (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāi Tai) was principal of St Joseph's Māori Girls' College since 1987, until she retired in late 2024. Dame Kingi is renowned for providing high quality education for Māori girls. Dame Georgina was appointed on 2 September 2024.

Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton MNZM (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao)

Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton MNZM (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao) has been the Principal of Kaiti School in Gisborne for the last 15 years. Under Billie-Jean's leadership, Kaiti School was the first Whānau Ora School, providing programmes and pathways to uplift whānau.

Turi Ngatai MNZM QSM, (Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Tauranga Moana)

Turi Ngatai MNZM QSM, (Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Tauranga Moana) is a former school principal across all levels, former acting co-chief executive and director of Te Wananga o Aotearoa and recently retired as executive director Māori at the Open Polytechnic. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Education in 1998.

Previous members#

Dr Wayne Ngata MNZM (Chair )(Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou) is a strong advocate for the revitalisation of mātauranga Māori and te reo Māori, bringing extensive experience in academic, management and governance roles. Dr Ngata resigned on 19 June 2025.

Dr Margie Hohepa (Te Māhurehure, Ngāpuhi and Te Ātiawa) has taught in primary school and kōhanga reo settings. Her recent research has focused on Māori medium initial teacher education and on kōhanga kura transitions. Dr Hohepa was appointed on 21 February 2025.

Role#

The Māori Education MAG provides independent advice and guidance on all matters relating to Māori education, in English medium education and Māori medium education settings, with a focus on action to deliver on the Minister’s education priorities.

Māori Education Action Plan#

The Māori Education Action Plan will support the Māori Education MAG’s advice to be focussed on delivery of actions to lift achievement and close the education equity gap for Māori.

Māori Education Action Plan

Scope of work#

Out of scope – Kaupapa Māori education#

Providing any advice on Kaupapa Māori education is outside the scope of work of the Māori Education MAG.

The Minister is committed to working with Te Matakahuki to identify shared priorities and actions for kaupapa Māori education.

Meeting schedule#

MAG members' hui 2026#

• 21 April 2026 – in-person, Wellington
• 19 May 2026 – via online
• 23 June 2026 – in-person (to be confirmed)
• 21 July 2026 – via online
• 18 August 2026 – in-person (to be confirmed)
• 22 September 2026 – via online.

Previous MAG members' hui#

• 17 March 2026 – via online
• 17 February 2026 – in-person, Auckland
• 20 January 2026 – via online.