Brenda Soutar

Brenda was appointed to the Board in 2021. She is actively involved in Māori language revitalisation and regeneration with over 30 years’ experience in education across kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori and whare wānanga. Her work includes the application of international theories and practises of language acquisition and revitalisation within Māori language immersion contexts. 

Before taking up her current role as curriculum advisor for Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, Brenda was principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki.  She brings first-hand experience to the vision that "te reo Māori is restored as a nurturing first language" having raised her own children speaking only Māori to them at home while they were educated entirely in te reo Māori from kōhanga reo through to wharekura.

Declaration of Interests:

• Te Rūnanganui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa
• Mana Tamariki
• Rongo-i-te-Kai (Penu) Marae
• Koniahi Limited
• Ereina Rauhihi
• Toro Technology