He hono tāngata e kore e motu; kāpā he taura waka e motu Connections between people cannot be broken, unlike those of a canoe-rope

Charmaine Tukua is a great connector of people. Whether it is with prisoners learning Te Reo Māori, adult literacy tutors gaining a range of literacy and numeracy qualifications, students at Ara studying Tikanga and Te Reo Māori, or the wide range of colleagues that she has worked with and maintains contact with, Charmaine loves to connect with people. In particular, Charmaine has dedicated her time and skills to affect positive change for the under-served in communities.

Charmaine is kaitiaki of sector knowledge related to the development of adult literacy in Aotearoa, especially as it applies to Māori. She has worked as a National Tutor Trainer for Literacy Aotearoa, delivering blended programmes for national qualifications and she has worked as a National Assessor and Moderator for Literacy Aotearoa. Charmaine’s relaxed teaching style means that she is a perfect role model/mentor for trainee tutors. Her knowledge and experience in Adult Literacy and Education, Tertiary Education, Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori has made her an integral member of the Literacy Aotearoa training team.

Charmaine has been an essential and long-serving member of Te Puna Wānaka, at Ara Institute of Canterbury for over 25 years; as a student when Te Mātauranga Māori was first opened; over 20 years as a kaiako, and then Programme Leader; and now Operations Coordinator. For the majority of that time Charmaine has taught on the Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori Foundation Programmes with particular focus in Adult Education, Broadcasting and Engineering. A strong leader with wāhine Māori, she is often the first voice and face people see at any of the significant events at Ara.

Charmaine has also served for over twelve years on the Governance Board of Literacy Christchurch and has made a significant contribution sharing her knowledge and support with the Board, staff, and learners.

Charmaine sets high professional standards, she works hard to create safe and effective learning relationships and environments for her students and colleagues and has an incredibly strong sense of social justice which drives her passion and energy as an educator. She is open to challenge and is a staunch advocate of peoples’ right to learn particularly Māori. She is a perfect model of the concepts of manaaki tangata, ako and lifelong learning, challenging herself in recent years to complete her Masters. Her contribution as an exemplary educator is valued by many throughout Aotearoa.

Tangata ako ana i te kāenga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana. A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society.

This award recognises Māori Educators for outstanding service in, and contribution to, the development and delivery of adult and community education (for Māori). It is intended to be a tribute for outstanding work in teaching, training, administration, or a combination of these.

Click here to see the full list of 2022 ACE Annual Award recipients.