Healthy Families Rotorua introduces its new project coordinator, Alexandria Knight.

Alex previously worked as a kaiako at an early childhood centre, where she was responsible for nurturing, supporting and empowering children at the foundational development level of their education.

She says she contributed to programme planning, assessment and evaluation, collaborative teaching and enhancing the visibility of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the learning environment.

“My favourite aspect of the role was finding innovative ways to connect or re-connect tamariki and whānau to Te Ao Māori and seeing them reap the benefits of those connections.

“I’m passionate about the power of identity, language development and empowering whānau Māori – through exposure to mātauranga Māori – to exercise their tino rangatiratanga and be self-determining in their aspirations,” says Alex.

She says her world revolves around her two tamariki and their whānau.

“You’ll often find us at the marae or not too far from any kaupapa or wānanga on our marae. We love making the most of our beautiful roto (lakes) in Te Arawa throughout raumati (summer).

“If we’re not here, then you’ll find us in the waves at Ohope Beach or soaking up the sunshine in Kahungunu with the rest of our whānau,” says Alex.