SPEAKERS
Anton Matthews
Anton Matthews is a proud pāpā of three tamariki, a devoted husband to his wife Jess, and the founder and director of Hustle Group, a dynamic whānau-owned business based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. Hustle Group operates successful hospitality ventures like Joe’s Garage Wigram, Fush, and Tātou Tātou, as well as Hustle Education, which specialises in delivering workshops on te reo Māori, te ao Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and produces the Beyond The Hustle Podcast.
Anton’s unique journey combines entrepreneurship with a deep commitment to normalising te reo Māori and incorporating tikanga Māori into everyday life. As a passionate advocate for weaving Māori values such as aroha, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga into businesses and communities, Anton inspires others to embrace these principles to create inclusive, thriving environments.
With his engaging storytelling and down-to-earth approach, Anton empowers audiences to reflect on their own leadership and cultural journeys, challenging individuals and organisations to take bold steps toward cultural confidence, bridging gaps and building meaningful connections across Aotearoa.
Anton’s mahi is rooted in a vision for a more inclusive and united future, where Māori values are celebrated and embraced as a foundation for success. His passion for people, community, and whānau shines through in every kōrero he delivers.
Professor Meihana Durie
Professor Meihana Durie (Rangitāne; Ngāti Kauwhata; Ngāti Raukawa; Ngāti Ngāti Porou; Rongo Whakaata; Ngāi Tahu) is an advocate of kaupapa and mātauranga-driven Māori educational pathways. He is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori at Massey University in Aotearoa, and was previously Head of School of Te Pūtahi a Toi (School of Māori Knowledge) at Massey University. Prior to his appointment to Massey University, he was Kaihautū of Te Whare Oranga at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and played a central role in the establishment of Ngā Purapura and accompanying academic programmes.
Professor Durie speaks to audiences locally, nationally and internationally about particular dimensions of Tikanga Māori (culture) and Mātauranga Māori (ancestral wisdom and knowledge) that can have a transformative and transcendent impact upon Māori including whānau (families) and hāpori (communities).
He was a panellist for the Tākiri Tū Te Ora Workshop at the the 2024 Hui aa Motu hosted by the Kīngitanga and previously helped bring forward the Te Pene Raupatu submission on behalf of his iwi of Ngāti Kauwhata as a part of the Waitangi Tribunal Porirua ki Manawatū Inquiry. He is a Pou Tikanga for the Waitangi Tribunal Constitutional Inquiry & carries a number of leadership roles for his iwi of Ngāti Kauwhata and Rangitāne.
In his work at Massey University his team of staff oversee a number of university-wide Te Tiriti o Waitangi research, educational and leadership initiatives as well as Māori strategic leadership and development across the university.
Meihana also engages in matters that affect his people of Rangitāne and Ngāti Kauwhata and comments regularly on political issues that affect iwi and Māori more broadly.
Kathryn Berkett
Joelle Holand (Founder - Hawaiiki Pēpi)
Joelle Holland, a mother and CEO with a fierce
passion for her culture, is the driving force behind Hawaiiki Pēpi. Her
business creates beautifully designed, Māori-inspired baby products. Fueled by
a profound love for her people, Joelle crafts items that nurture strong
cultural identity and cultivate confident Māori children. Hawaiiki Pepi's
products are more than just baby essentials, they are products made to connect
pēpi to their whakapapa from their earliest days. Joelle's commitment to her
community and people shines through every aspect part of her brand
Chef Hamuera (Joe) Mcleod (E Kai Māori)
Chef Hamuera (Joe) McLeod has been a Chef since 1973, which has taken him around the world. As a classically French-trained chef, he has held many roles, from the Ritz in London to Head Chef of New Zealand consulates and NZ Parliament. Once he returned to New Zealand, I have chosen to follow my passion for enhancing, preserving, and promoting our traditional indigenous culinary culture.
His passion and research in the culinary Māori cuisine philosophy have been with him since 1964, learned by his generation from his grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and fellow villagers. But sadly, it has been lost, and it is now his honour to reintroduce the mātauranga of kai Māori back to our people.
Pania Te Maro (Massey University & Co-Editor of Ki te hoe! Education for Aotearoa)
Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapū te awa, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi, ko Pōkai te wharenui, ko Te whānau ā Pōkai te hapū, ko Te Kapa a Hinekōpeka te tūrangawaewae, ko Pania Te Maro ahau!
Pania is an Associate Professor at Te Kura o te Mātauranga – Institute of Education at Massey University, where she works as Kaihautū Māori, she is also a Kaiārahi Tiriti for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The research project she is working on currently is observing and supporting schools, kaiako and mokopuna to operationalise mana ōrite for mātauranga Māori when they teach and learn mathematics. Pania has five children, thirteen grandchildren and a background of learning, teaching, and leadership in Māori Immersion educational settings as well as English medium schools.
Sonya Withers (Massey University)
Sonya Withers is a Senior Lecturer and PhD candidate in Design at Ngā Pae Māhutonga, School of Design, Toi Rauwhārangi, College of Creative Arts, Massey University. An Aotearoa-born Pacific creative with ancestral links to Scotland and Sama'i, Falelatai, Sāmoa, Sonya’s research and teaching focus on uplifting Māori and Pacific values in design, particularly through textiles and critical contextual studies. Her work explores Aotearoa-Moana centred design practices that enable the well-being of Pacific communities, challenging Western design constructs and advancing sustainable, regenerative futures.
Sonya has contributed to significant projects connecting Pacific communities with museum collections and has held roles at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Te Papa Tongarewa, supporting Pacific heritage and knowledge sharing. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Design (First Class Honours), a Postgraduate Diploma in Visual and Material Culture, and a Master’s in Design. Sonya’s leadership in research has been recognized through a Health Research Council grant and her active presence in international design education conferences.
Glyn Singleton (BERNINA New Zealand) Managing Director, Bernina Australia and New Zealand
With over 25 years of experience in the sewing industry, Glyn Singleton has become a respected leader in his field. Starting his career at Bernina New Zealand as a technician, Glyn quickly advanced to Chief Technician, and today he serves as the Managing Director for Bernina Australia and New Zealand based in Sydney. Under his leadership, both the New Zealand and Australian offices, have thrived.
Glyn’s extensive expertise spans technical service, education, and marketing, giving him a unique and comprehensive perspective on the industry. His depth of knowledge allows him to provide valuable insights into the needs of education institutions.
In his upcoming presentation, Glyn will share practical strategies for schools to reduce servicing costs by performing basic maintenance and repair tasks in-house, as well as a chance for a question and answer session.
Lea Stening (BCOM, Dip HSc PG Diet, PG Com.Nut Accredited Sports Dietitian SDA Reg NZ Dietitian & Nutritionist)
Lea Stening is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and author with more than forty years’ experience specialising in sports nutrition and paediatrics. Lea is an accredited Sports Dietitian and offers personal consultations online and provides nutrition seminars to sporting, school, workplace and community groups.
Lea’s clinical work has taken her overseas, to Melbourne and London. In New Zealand she has worked in all areas of school sporting codes and nationally at high performance and academy levels: eight years with New Zealand Cricket, five years with New Zealand Rowing, and twelve years with New Zealand Paralympian sports.
Highlights for Lea was 2004 when the NZ Wheel Black Rugby Team won gold at the Olympic games in Athens and being awarded a Prime Ministers Scholarship in 2006 to travel with the team to Vancouver for the Canada cup.
Over the past 10 years Lea’s work has focused more on helping developing athletes and their families understand how to fill the nutrient and energy gap created when growing children exercise. Lea believes this is key to their long-term mental health, growth, physical well- being and performance
Lea is the author of Nutrition Manual for Developing Rowers, 2005 and Healthy Kids, Happy Lives, 2017. In her latest book, How to Grow an Athlete: From Playground to Podium, she focuses on children and sports nutrition but the basic themes that encourage healthy eating can be applied to the whole family.
Shontelle Helg (Ormiston Junior College)
Shontelle has been teaching for 21 years this year and has been at OJC for the last 8 years. She is traditionally a Soft Materials/Textiles, Junior DVC and Hospitality Secondary teacher and at OJC we teach a bit everything and collaborative teach cross curricular programs that are Project Based. The last couple of years she has had the privilege of being involved in our STEM focused programs and #GIRLPOWER founded by Cilla Godinet and Jenny Kempster.
She has been a member of HHETANZ for all of my teaching life and I look forward to the opportunity to share with you all at this conference.
Ana Teofilo (Artist)
Ana Teofilo is a New Zealand born Samoan Visual artist who creates contemporary Pasifika art works from her hometown of Dunedin. She was the recipient of the Con Hutton Scholarship in 2015 which contributed to her Masters in Visual Arts from the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic.
Ana’s practice is unique in that she merges her Samoan heritage and Western influence to create intricately patterned works. Painted boards, often rings, circles or frangipani-like forms, are methodically carved and then decorated with glue dots that are opaque but reflect the base and surrounding colours. This effect enhances the three-dimensional appearance of the carving to form striking artworks.
Teofilo’s works are held in private collections, internationally and within New Zealand.
Catherine Dawson BDes, PGD Dip Ed, PG Dip MVA. (Kāiarahi for Materials and Processing Technology)
Christina Stilwell MEdLd, RD, PGD Dip Ed, BHSc. (Kāiarahi for Materials and Processing Technology)
Jess Patel (Kāiarahi Food & Nutrition)
Jess Patel is new to the HETTANZ Assistant Food and Nutrition Kaiarahi role, starting at the beginning of this year. She is a full-time teacher, working at the HOD Technology at St Oran’s College. She teaches from year 7 - 13 working across both the Technology and HPE curriculum areas. Alongside teaching she has worked with NZQA which brings additional knowledge to her Kete.
Nicola Potts (Kāiarahi Food & Nutrition)
Matt Robinson (EATucation)
Matt Robinson is a Michelin-trained chef who grew up in Nelson, New Zealand. He fueled his passion for food cooking internationally before returning to Aotearoa to teach Food Technology and Hospitality. Matt is also an English Literature and Social Sciences teacher and has held managerial and pedagogical leadership positions in education.
Following this, he launched EATucation to spread his love of Food Education nationwide. Matt is an avid supporter of his community, with a passion for projects that support young people to have the best possible chance in life. From his charity providing education opportunities in Uganda to supporting Kiwi kids through his local Rotary Club, Matt believes creating the change we want to see in the world begins with ensuring the future of tomorrow is cared for and considered today.
Āio Mataira Wharerarauwhe
He uri takiaho tēnei i a Porourangi, i a Raukawa, i a Kahungunu anō hoki.
I’m a kaiako with a passion for inspiring a deep love of te reo Māori through fun, meaningful learning experiences. At Kura Rēhia, I create playful reo resources that make the language feel accessible and alive. I currently teach at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and have been fortunate to learn under reo champions like Tīmoti Kāretu, Tātere Macleod, Pānia Papa and Leon Blake.
Rosie Remmerswaal
I’m the co-founder of Kura Rēhia, where we bring play and connection into how people learn te reo Māori. Sparked by creating our award-winning game Kaupapa, I am dedicated to designing experiences that make language learning feel natural, fun and full of life. With a background in film design, language teaching, and facilitation, I love helping people light up through creativity, language and play.
He Tangata Tiriti ahau nō Hōrana, nō Airangi hoki.
Chetan Pangam (Executive Chef, One80° Restaurant)
Chetan’s passion for cooking began at a young age, inspired by his mother’s culinary talents. He honed his skills at India’s top luxury hotels, including Oberoi, Taj, Radisson, and Leela, before moving to New Zealand in 2002. For over 17 years, he’s been a key part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, leading his kitchen with positivity, adaptability, and a strong team spirit.
Chetan’s signature cooking style combines the distinctive cuisine of his native India with the exceptional quality of New Zealand ingredients. Grass-fed New Zealand beef and lamb feature prominently on his menu, and he takes pride in showcasing the work of local farmers. Now a proud Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef, Chetan continues to celebrate the exceptional taste and consistency of New Zealand’s produce.
Carlin Linklater (Cambridge High School/HETTANZ Executive)
Carlin is a secondary school-trained teacher who made the transition from professional tennis coaching to education and is currently a member of the HETTANZ executive. With over 12 years of teaching experience, he has taught Physical Education, Health, Business Studies, IGCSE Economics, and Home Economics, and is now teaching Technology with a focus on food. Carlin is passionate about nutrition and relational practice, and brings a cross-disciplinary approach to his teaching.
Emma Moore (Otago Boys' High School)
Kia koutou, my name is Emma Moore, TIC Food and Nutrition at Otago Boys' High School.
I have taught at Otago Boys' for 13 years and previously worked in hospitality for 12 years as a Chef. This presentation focuses on student literacy within Junior Food & Nutrition. Our school-wide literacy focus in 2024 was exploring "smarter, not harder" strategies to enhance student literacy.
Gillian Dibley (Hamilton Girls’ High School)
Gillian Dibley is the Head of the Technology Faculty at Hamilton Girls High School. The department boasts 11 Technology educators, teaching over a range of disciplines in an all girls school that hosts approximately 1700 students.
Ms Dibley has an expansive background, having taught at;
Te Kauwhata College, Waikato,
Fairfield College, Hamilton
Lincoln High School, Canterbury
Tawa College, Wellington
AND has also worked as a Nutritionist for Anchor Products.
Jennis Hayes (HETTANZ Executive / Rutherford College)
Jennis Hayes is an enthusiastic educator and the dynamic Teacher in Charge of Food Technology and Hospitality at Rutherford College. With a creative background in visual communication, specializing in fine arts, and a master's in professional studies focused on Modern Learning Environments- Jennis aims to combine contemporary teaching practices with innovation in education.
Before her teaching career, she owned a successful business importing and manufacturing dancewear, while designing costumes for Candy Lane dancers and activewear for professional athletes. In her presentation, Jennis will share insider tips, tricks, and invaluable insights from her diverse career, offering fresh inspiration for both new and experienced teachers in an effort to elevate their teaching game!
Lauren Dick-McCann
Sheryl Haines
Nova Martin (Food For Thought)
Karli Adams-Stachurski (Food For Thought)
Sarah Hickey (Long Bay College/HETTANZ Pasifika Representative)
Victoria Bernard (Garden to Table)
Sharyn Macpherson (Past HETTANZ President/HETTANZ Life Member)
Maryclare Pearce (Ashburton Intermediate)
Mary Spiers (University of Otago Nutrition)
Senior Professional Practice Fellow
Department of Human Nutrition
University of Otago
Registered Dietitian, Registered Nutritionist
Mary Spiers began her career in clinical dietetics, progressing into private practice and later public health. She joined the University of Otago in 2012, initially teaching in the Master of Dietetics programme. Currently, she teaches in the Master of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice.
Mary has a keen interest in public health nutrition and in strategies that support people to adopt a healthy dietary intake. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with undergraduate and postgraduate students through experiential and class-based learning opportunities.
Together with the nutrition@otago Food Team, Mary has helped establish a Garden to Table strategy in collaboration with Toitū te Taiao (Sustainability at Otago) and the Pacific Centre. The team grows vegetables and herbs in campus gardens and a tunnel house, using the produce in the weekly menu for the Taraka Kai (Food Truck) on campus and in cooking classes for students.
Meredith Peddie (University of Otago Nutrition)
Senior Lecturer
Department of Human Nutrition
University of Otago
Meredith Peddie completed her PhD in 2012, investigating the effects of interrupting sedentary behaviour with regular activity breaks on postprandial metabolism. From 2012 to 2020, she held research-focused positions within the Department of Human Nutrition, supported by National Heart Foundation Fellowships. Since 2020, Meredith has served as a Senior Lecturer, where her teaching focuses on the relationships between food(s) and the risk of non-communicable diseases.
She values the balance that academia offers, combining research, teaching, and service opportunities—such as her work with the Heart Foundation Expert Nutrition Policy Working Group.
Outside of work, Meredith often enjoys rowing on the Otago Harbour or spending time with her husband and two children.
Emma Bettle (School Kit)
I'm the co-founder of School Kit - a New Zealand based education company that offers beautiful resource kits and powerful learning experiences to teachers and their students. I'm passionate about the power of education in changing lives, using good design to convey complex ideas (to small humans) and the importance of being curious about and connecting with others.
I believe every NZ child should have at least one teacher that changes their life for the better.