About Poutawa

Genae Thompson is a teacher of te reo Māori, curriculum designer, and language revitalisation advocate who is passionate about creating meaningful pathways for people to reconnect with Indigenous language and culture. Raised primarily within mainstream education settings, she did not reconnect with her language and culture until early adulthood. This experience has shaped her deep commitment to supporting others on their own journeys of rediscovering language, identity, and belonging. Genae gained her fluency in te reo Māori through a full immersion programme and went on to spend ten years teaching in mainstream secondary schools, where she led the development of te reo Māori programmes. During this time she developed a passion for finding inspiring and innovative ways to engage learners in authentic language and cultural learning that supports long-term sustainability and lifelong language vitality. Her work sits at the intersection of mātauranga Māori, language revitalisation, and second language acquisition. She is particularly interested in weaving Indigenous approaches to knowledge transmission with contemporary language learning theory to create effective learning environments for adult and community learners. Genae is currently completing her postgraduate thesis titled “E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tōu ao”, which explores how Western second language acquisition theory and traditional Māori approaches to language teaching can be brought together to inform curriculum design for beginner adult learners of te reo Māori.

Maysie Palmer is an experienced professional with a strong background in administration, case management, and stakeholder engagement. With over 15 years in high-pressure roles, including her tenure with the New Zealand Police, she has developed exceptional organisational, analytical, and communication skills. Maysie has successfully managed complex cases, overseen critical processes, and worked in legal and compliance-driven environments.      Her expertise extends to community engagement, where she has collaborated with diverse groups, including service providers and government agencies, to deliver impactful outcomes. Proficient in technology and adept at adapting to dynamic situations, Maysie thrives in challenging environments, demonstrating resilience and emotional intelligence.      Maysie’s dedication to excellence and her ability to foster positive relationships make her a valuable asset to any organisation. She is committed to delivering results with integrity and professionalism.

Tahau Thompson is a respected Māori language practitioner and mātauranga Māori specialist who carries a deep commitment to the protection and transmission of Indigenous language and knowledge. Raised as a first language speaker of te reo Māori, he grew up within kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori education environments where language, culture, and identity were central to everyday life. A graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori, Tahau is recognised for his depth of knowledge, language precision, and commitment to upholding tikanga and cultural integrity. He plays an active role within his iwi in the stewardship and transmission of kōrero tuku iho and iwi knowledge. Tahau is also a seasoned kapa haka performer and composer who is passionate about kapa haka as a living medium for the transmission of language, history, and identity across generations. He is currently completing postgraduate research exploring traditional forms of Māori leadership and tribal governance, with a focus on Te Whare Kōrero o te Tumuakitanga o Ngāti Hauā, the house of speakers of his iwi.