Profile: Monte Rereamoamo Ohia

Age: 63
Iwi: Ngati Pukenga, Ngaiterangi, Te Arawa

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Educational Administration, Completing a PHD (on Maori transformation through moral, ethical and spiritual imperatives)
Work history: School Teacher, Maori Adviser for the Education Department, Massey University, Regional Manager - Ministry of Education Rotorua, Pou - Senior Manager New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Missionary – Youth with a Mission NZ, Campus Manager & Strategic Advisor Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Senior Manager Christchurch Polytechnic and Institute of Training (CPIT)
Whanau

Wife, Linda
Children, Watson (and Michelle), Bentham (and Kate), Te Kowhai, Rihari
Grand Children, 6, ranging in ages from 2 to 14 years of age. – Hana-Te Kowhai, Tuakoi, Tahuaroa, Kaniuloa, Maioha, Tiahomai and whangai Hana and Zane
Son of Monty and Tirikawa Ohia

A life time dedicated to his whanau, and advancing the education and well being of Maori and all New Zealanders. A committed Christian who devoted twenty years to carrying out the work of God including the establishment of the World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People (WCGIP).

A talented musician, singer and performer of Maori waiata and haka. For the past 10 years Monte also dedicated himself to indigenous peoples international aid work which including missions to the middle East, Africa, the Pacific and Asia.

Immense humility founded on strong tikanga and spiritual foundations.
An avid follower and supporter of New Zealand rugby.

Monte believed a political career would provide better opportunity to accelerate his desire to lift educational achievement of Maori and all New Zealanders.
In 2005 Monte came within 2500 votes of wresting the Te Tai Tonga seat from Labour MP Mahara Okeroa.
The decision by Metiria Turei to not stand in the Te Tai Tonga seat (She won 2300 votes at the last election) at this election, coupled with a more experienced and focused campaign and strategy were expected to see the passionate yet humble educationist and Christian elected to parliament.

Career highlights:

2000s
 Wrote degree courses for Te Wananga o Aotearoa in Maori Performing Arts and Maori Art (including carving, weaving, art and sculpture).
 Wrote diploma courses for Te Wananga o Aotearoa in tertiary teaching and Maori science studies.
 Chaired the third, fourth and sixth World Christian Gatherings on Indigenous People in Sydney, Hawaii and Davao in the Philippines respectively.
 Aid work among indigenous nations including Native American, First Nations Peoples of Canada, Saami of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia,
 Led aid teams in Egypt, South Korea, Israel and Hawaii.
 Advising various indigenous authorities including the Saami Parliaments of Norway, Sweden and Finland, the Zulu Parliament in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, and various Tribal Councils in the United States and Canada.
 Began a PhD thesis on Maori transformation through moral, ethical and spiritual imperatives.
 Critical analysis of the access of Maori students and staff to the offerings of mainstream tertiary educational institutions and schools.
 Analysis of Maori pedagogy – Maori learning and teaching theory and practice – as a possible intervention to raise Maori participation, retention and achievement rates in education.
 Co-tutor and performer in Nga Kohikohinga kapa haka group – Waitaha Regional Kapa Haka Competitions

1990s
 Development of 20 Whakaruruhau (Maori standard setting bodies) in a variety of subjects including te reo, tikanga, carving, weaving and tourism to decide on the Maori knowledge to be included on the National Qualifications Framework, and to establish systems to protect Maori intellectual property.
 Development of 297 Maori Private Training Establishments (MPTEs) to offer tertiary education opportunities for Maori and other learners in their own neighbourhoods.
 Establishment of the Association of Maori Private Training Establishments (AMPTE) to oversee advocacy and development provision for MPTEs.
 Establishment of 3 wananga to provide a combination of university, polytechnic and teacher training education within a Maori framework.
 Rebirthing of Maori quality management systems in Maori education providers to combine quality provision with Maori cultural understandings to better address Maori participation, retention and achievement rates in high quality education.
 Establishing the foundations to establish mathematics, science and technology curricular in te reo Maori approved by the Minister of Education.
 Development of culturally appropriate quality systems in organizations such as kohanga reo.
 Organised the inaugural World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People in Rotorua (November, 1996). Chaired the second Gathering in South Dakota, United States.

1980s
 Maori adviser to all intermediate and secondary schools in the South Island on Maori and Pacific Island Education
 Established resource teachers of Maori in Te Waipounamu to start Maori language teaching in several South Island secondary schools
 Organised several iwi-based educational forums on marae to grow reo and tikanga Maori capabilities within communities
 Held several professional development training and resource production courses for secondary and intermediate teachers of Maori in Te Waipounamu
 Committee to Review the Curriculum set up by Russell Marshall, Minister of Education
 National Advisory Committee on Maori Education (NACME) to review the management and administration of education delivery to Maori.
 Te Runanga Nui established to review the education legislation at the behest of the Ministers of Education David Lange, Russell Marshall and Phil Goff – led to the legal establishment of Maori total immersion preschool, school and tertiary education providers, Maori qualifications, and Maori assessment systems.
 Working Party to assist in writing the 1989 Education Act and the 1990 Education Amendment Act.
 Organising the writing of Maori education resources as part of the National Heritage Foundation at Massey University
 Developing education reforms in the Bay of Plenty.

1970s
- First te reo Maori course at Queen Charlotte College, Picton
- Maori course developed from Year 7 to Year 13 at Queen Charlotte College
- Coached the 1977 and 1978 Queen Charlotte College 1st XV Rugby team rated as the best secondary school rugby team in the South Island and the 4th best in New Zealand.
- Chair of Waikawa Marae Committee. Building of the wharekai - Whakakotahi, in Waikawa, Picton.
- Maori and mathematics developments in secondary schools
- Maori and science developments in secondary schools
- Waikawa Maori Cultural Party tutor Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams
- Waikawa Maori Cultural Party competed at 4 Polynesian Festivals (the name given to the national kapa haka competitions in the 1970s)
- Ratana Apotoro Rehita responsible for the top of the South Island

ENDS

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