Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister of Education

16 August 2018 MEDIA STATEMENT
Reappointments to Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu

Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced two reappointments to the Board of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura).

Te Kura is a distance education provider offering personalised learning programmes to students from early childhood to Year 13. It works in partnership with students, whānau, school and communities to support students to achieve their educational and personal goals.

Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO, has been reappointed for a term of one year, and John Chemis has been reappointed for a term of three years.

“This Government is committed to delivering high quality learning for all,” Chris Hipkins said.

“I am pleased to reappoint Dame Karen Sewell and John Chemis to the Board of Te Kura. They have a great deal of governance and leadership experience in the education sector and are also strongly committed to equity for all students,” Chris Hipkins said.

Notes to editor:
Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO
Dame Karen Sewell was appointed as Chair of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Board of Trustees in 2012. Dame Karen has been the Chief Review Officer of the Education Review Office, Acting Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Secretary for Education. She has been a teacher in New Zealand and the UK and a secondary school principal at Green Bay High School in Auckland. Dame Karen Sewell received the DNZM in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to education in 2016.

John Chemis
John Chemis has served on the Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu Board of Trustees since 2015. His experience as a teacher and senior manager is combined with governance experience across kohanga reo, schools and the tertiary sector. John is the current Chief Executive Officer of Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme), covering the Eastern Bay of Plenty region. REAPs work across all sectors and age groups, supporting educational opportunities in rural communities. John’s particular areas of focus are rurality, community development and working alongside Māori to promote community and learner aspirations.

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