In 2026, we are proud to celebrate the individuals and programmes that exemplify excellence in adult and community education across Aotearoa. These awards recognise outstanding contributions in teaching, programme innovation, sector service, and leadership, while reflecting a deep commitment to the ACE Teaching Standards and to building strong, thriving communities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the following individuals and organisations for their exceptional achievements and their enduring impact on adult learners throughout Aotearoa.
Our 2026 recipients are:
Educator of the Year Tangata Whenua - Heather Black
This Award recognises an ACE Māori educator for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education (for Māori).
Tainui te waka, Taupiri te maunga, Waikato te awa, Nga tae e rua te Marae, Ngati te Ata te Hapu.
Heather is a sewing tutor who has been quietly running Kaupapa Māori classes in South Auckland for the past 10 years. Besides teaching the basics of sewing and garment construction, Heather’s classes are a safe space for Māori women to share knowledge, support each other, and celebrate being Māori. Most of her tauira do not whakapapa to South Auckland, so they come together as urban Māori, which has its own challenges. A lot of urban Māori don't have a wharenui in the city; whatever workspace is created is also a place where people come together as equals to celebrate the beauty of Māori culture and learn together from each other.
Most of Heather’s tauira are also first-time learners and often don't come with a lot of resources. Many have never used a sewing machine. Heather’s approach to learning is holistic. Having her tauira gain confidence in their learning journey is a major part of their learning experience. Teaching and guiding her tauira in how to design a garment and then construct it is only the first step. At the end of the year, her classes graduate at a fashion event held at Manu Tukutuku, South Auckland. Tauira get the experience of walking down a catwalk wearing the new kākahu they have made.
Heather actively seeks funding and sponsorship to ensure access to her classes. Her approach is to address the needs of the learners and to see their culture as a source of pride. Her philosophy is based on the principle of a kete of knowledge. This, along with the music both sung and played, helps to put the students and families at ease.
Educator of the Year Tangata Tiriti – Emma McLean
This Award recognises an ACE educator for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education.
Emma’s work clearly reflects national best practice principles in Adult and Community Education. Across her leadership and programme delivery, Emma consistently places learners at the heart of every programme. She listens deeply to community needs, consults widely and ensures every course is shaped around learner goals, barriers and aspirations. “Choices”, in particular, exemplifies a learner‑led model where every voice is valued, and participants have ownership over their learning journey.
Emma’s programmes intentionally foster safety, connection and belonging; essential components of effective adult learning. Learners who often arrive feeling vulnerable, isolated or lacking confidence quickly find themselves in an environment of
whanaungatanga; respectful, supportive and empowering. Emma’s approach
focuses not only on skill development but on building self-belief, resilience and confidence. Her programmes help learners understand themselves better, develop coping strategies and recognise their own potential. This contributes to long‑term personal empowerment – a cornerstone of effective ACE practice.
A key feature of Emma’s leadership is the way she inspires and supports her team, tutors and volunteers. She generates ideas and vision, while empowering her team to interpret, deliver and shape programmes in ways that best suit learner and community needs. This collaborative model encourages creativity, trust and professionalism.
Programme of the Year Tangata Whenua – Te Hokinga Ki Uta
This award recognises an adult learning programme for Māori learners that has achieved outstanding learning outcomes through innovative programme development, creative implementation and sound evaluation.
Te Hokinga Ki Uta, delivered by Te Pā, is a transformative kaupapa Māori reintegration programme that is redefining what successful learner and whānau outcomes look like in Aotearoa. Operating for just 18 months, the programme has already supported approximately 200 individuals through holistic, culturally grounded pathways that strengthen identity, belonging and participation.
Based in Auckland, Te Pā has a long-standing reputation in reintegration and social services, underpinned by a tangata and whānau-centred operating model and kaupapa Māori values. Through Te Hokinga Ki Uta, learners receive comprehensive wraparound support including housing assistance, clinical assessments, community reintegration and tikanga-based guidance. The programme also delivers specialist support for 501 deportees returning to Aotearoa under a Department of Corrections contract, alongside wider prisoner reintegration services.
What sets Te Hokinga Ki Uta apart is its commitment to cultural reconnection as a foundation for lifelong change. Many learners enter the programme disconnected from whānau and unaware of their whakapapa. Through kaupapa Māori practices, participants are supported to rediscover identity, rebuild relationships and re-engage with their communities with renewed confidence and purpose. For Pacific peoples returning through the 501 programme, Te Hokinga Ki Uta also creates opportunities to begin reconnecting with Pacific identity and heritage.
Programme of the Year Tangata Tiriti – Wellington High School and Community Education “Community Kaupapa”
This award recognises an adult learning programme that has achieved outstanding learning outcomes through innovative programme development, creative implementation and sound evaluation
Wellington High School and Community Education “Community Kaupapa” offers free "conference quality" workshops to the community in subjects and with experts that participants would not normally have access to. By making these workshops large in size, they can be offered for free, removing many barriers to access.
The new model was conceived after recognising that traditional classes delivered in blocks or over terms can be a challenge for time-poor learners in busy, congested urban environments. Large workshop formats and high-quality presenters to design and deliver the workshops has succeeded in attracting learners. The large conference presentation style has not been used before in community education in a school setting. Innovative use of funding to create free events has been one of the highlights of Community Kaupapa. Ensuring that the quality matches that of the smaller, more traditional format of ACE courses has also been a key aspect of the programme’s success.
The new approach has helped ensure the Community Education Centre’s continuation and success. The community has loved and valued these workshops immensely, with participants grateful for the new learning opportunities.
Leader of the Year Tangata Whenua – Mākuini Kerehi
This award recognises an ACE Māori leader for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education for Māori through teaching and learning, governance, policy development and administration or a combination of these.
Mākuini Kerehi works in Adult and Community Education as a Kaitakawaenga – a navigator, mediator, liaison-person or intermediary – at REAP Wairarapa, coordinating and delivering community-focused learning programmes, particularly for Māori and Pacific learners. Her role centres on connecting learning individuals, whānau and communities with each other, as well as with hapū, iwi and the
wider region, ensuring education is culturally grounded, accessible and responsive to community needs. Her connections expand beyond the workplace into other facets of the community, including significant contributions to her own whānau reo and tikanga revitalisation and transfer, as well as collaborations and partnerships with the likes of He Kāhui Wairarapa, Eastside Community Group, the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Hau Kāinga (Māori Arts and Wellbeing Hub in Masterton) and Hapūtanga Wānanga like the newly established Āhuru Mōwai for new parents.
Guided by Māori values, tikanga and mātauranga, she leads education programmes across Wairarapa and plays a key role in supporting learners, whānau and early learning initiatives such as Kōrerorero (a Reo Māori Conversation course), Kai a Te Rangatira/Chatterbox (a Language Programme for Kaumātua and Kuia raising mokopuna), Ka Pō, Ka Ao, Ka Awatea (a Maramataka-led Grief Workshop), and more. In addition, she coordinates and leads tikanga and Te Reo Māori professional development for her colleagues – REAP Wairarapa staff – strengthening cultural capability across the organisation.
Mākuini is, first and foremost, a matriarch – great-grandmother, nan, mother and lifelong learner. Her commitment to ako, manaakitanga and continuous growth is evident in both her personal and professional practice. At her core, she is a connector, educator and cultural leader within her organisation and wider community. A passionate advocate for education, she works tirelessly to uplift whānau and learners while strengthening connections between communities and education systems. Her leadership, rooted in relationships, cultural knowledge and a deep commitment to the well-being of others, makes her an outstanding candidate for this award.
Leader of the Year Tangata Tiriti – Anne Cave
This award recognises an ACE leader for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education through teaching and learning, governance, policy development and administration or a combination of these.
Anne Cave is Director of Selwyn College Community Education in Tāmaki Makaurau. During her long service, Anne has made significant contributions to educational programs that are specifically tailored to the needs of the local community in Central Auckland. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that these programs are relevant, accessible and impactful, always prioritising the unique needs and aspirations of the people she serves.
Anne has been a driving force behind initiatives that have empowered individuals and families, offering them opportunities for growth, skill development and personal enrichment. In particular, Anne’s work with migrant and refugee families has been exceptional.
One of Anne’s most significant roles has been as "the anchor" during the Covid-19 pandemic for all providers of Community Education in Schools in Tamaki Mākaurau. She was a central figure, connecting various educational programs with the local schools and their communities. Her leadership and commitment have ensured that community education offerings are not only well-coordinated but also responsive to the ever-changing needs of the local population.
Anne’s deep understanding of the educational landscape, combined with her passion for community development, has made her an invaluable resource for both educators and learners alike. Through her dedication, Anne has helped build strong partnerships between schools, community organisations and local stakeholders, creating a network of support that has enhanced the effectiveness and sustainability of educational programs. Her work has left a lasting impact, improving access to education and fostering a culture of lifelong learning within the community. Anne’s legacy in community education is marked by her immense commitment to serving others and her ability to create opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential.
At a national level, Anne has been a long-serving member of the Adult Learners’ Week Advisory Group and has run large events to showcase learner work, promote lifelong learning in her community and encourage new learners. She has been a valuable resource person for the ACE Aotearoa team and was an inaugural member of the ACE Aotearoa Awards judging panel.