Kaupapa Matua | Purpose of the OECE’s ECAC
Our early childhood advisory committee (ECAC) is a non‑partisan, independent oversight group that supports the OECE by providing a sounding board and targeted advice to strengthen the quality of early childhood education and care. Its members bring wide sector expertise focused on achieving better outcomes for children, their families and whānau, and ultimately for society
The committee brings together diverse perspectives from experts and stakeholders across the sector. All early childhood service types are recognised without bias, including Home‑based services, Kaupapa Māori (bilingual/language immersion), Pasefika ECE services, Playcentre, and Hospital‑based services.
Ko ngā uara | Our Values
“Mahia i runga i te rangimarie me te ngākau mahaki, ka whiwhi ngā hua tonu tātou”
(With a peaceful mind and a respectful heart, we will always get results)
Our work is guided by the values expressed in the OECE’s position statements on:
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Indigenous Rights
- Children’s rights
- Group size and ratios
- Qualified early childhood trained teachers
- Children’s right to attend ECE and the provision of free ECE
- Involving parents and caregivers and engagement in learning
- Men in ECE teaching
- Inclusion and diversity
- Breastfeeding support
- Food safety and safe eating
- Physical contact and touch
- Teacher pay and conditions of work
- ECE service conduct responsibilities
- Enforcement and monitoring of minimum standards
- ECE governance and management
- Complaints system
Early Childhood Advisory Committee Members
ECAC members bring their thinking, expertise and perspectives and are not asked to represent the viewpoint of their employer or organisation.
Marianne Kayes (Auckland) – Early Childhood Advocate
Marianne’s ECE journey started in Playcentre. She is life member of OMEP Aotearoa NZ and of the Hospital Play Specialists Assn, and has served on government and Ministry of Education advisory committees. This includes the Strategic Plan for Early Learning reference group (2018) and the Strategic Plan for Early Childhood working group (2000-2001). She is a member of the Child Poverty Action Group, Tick4Kids and the Children’s Rights Alliance Aotearoa, along with being a member of our ECAC.
Qualifications: Master of Health Science (Hons), Adv Dip Tchg, Dip Early Intervention, Edn Management Higher Cert.
Dr. Fiona Westbrook (Auckland) – Researcher and Teacher
Fiona is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at AUT. Her research and teaching focus on how teachers find and use their voices within education, and how visual and dialogic approaches can open up new ways of listening and responding. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy (VJEP) and is passionate about making research accessible, creative, and inclusive.
Qualifications: PhD, M.Ed, B.Tchg (ECE).
Dr Sarah Te One (Paekākāriki) – Senior ECE Researcher and Child Rights Advocate
Sarah has many decades of experience in the ECE sector, as a kindergarten teacher, a union leader, and a teacher educator/academic at Victoria University of Wellington. She has been involved in many projects with young children, whānau and communities. Sarah is past Chairperson of ACYA and has been a member of the Steering Committee for ACYA and the Child Rights Alliance for many years.
Qualifications: Ph.D, M.Ed. (Dist), B.A., NZFKU Diploma.
Wikitoria Ratu (Waiwhetu Lower Hutt) – Operations Manager for Te Kōhanga reo o Arohanui ki te Tangata
Wikitoria has been Involved in Te Kōhanga Reo movement for over 40 years – including 15 years with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust as a Kaupapa Kaimahi, course Trainer over all courses that the Te Kōhanga Reo Trust offer. She has a sound understanding of Te Whāriki Māori. She has also been involved for in the Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori (Kauru Reo) MoE programme reaching out to schools, Kura and ECE.
Qualifications: Dip ECE Tohu, Dip Art & Design, Adult Teaching Cert, Adult Literacy & Numeracy, Te Kōhanga Reo Trust Te Tohu Paetahi Degree, Pinakitanga Reo Level 6, Te Reo o Taranaki Level 6.
Dr Leanne Young (Auckland) – Child Health and Nutrition Expert
Leanne is a research Fellow at the University of Auckland’s National Institute of Health Innovation. She has worked as a Portfolio Manager for the Ministry of Health and Food Industry Setting Manager for the NZ Heart Foundation. Her doctorate involved an evaluation of a nutrition and physical activity programme within ECEs.
Qualifications: PhD, Master of Public Health, Postgraduate Dip Science, B.Sc.
Rachael Fearn (Rolleston, Canterbury) – ECE Small Business Director
Rachael is a co-owner of early childhood centres in Canterbury. She has been an early childhood teacher for more than 20 years and enjoyed many roles throughout this time. She has a strong interest in advocacy for children and also brings her small business knowledge to ECAC.
Qualifications: B.Tchg (ECE), Dip business management.
Janet Dixon (Wellington) – ECE Professional Leader and Mentor
Janet is a long‑time ECE professional leader. Her involvement in ECE spans more than five decades, beginning as a qualified kindergarten teacher in 1969 and extending across teaching roles in NZ and London, disability advocacy, university lecturing, and mentoring. She facilitates a Professional Leaders’ Network and an Early Childhood Teachers’ Network, along with making time to participate in ECAC. Her work has included supporting families through Incredible Years parenting programmes and autism education. She received the Roy McKenzie Fellowship in 1991 for her contributions as a mother in the field of disability.
Qualifications: Kindergarten Dip; Higher Dip of Teaching; B.Tchg & Learning; M.Ed.
Robyn Mockett (Wellington) – Lecturer, NZ Tertiary College
Robyn is a lecturer at the NZ Tertiary College. She is a former kindergarten teacher with 17 years of early childhood teaching experience. She’s been involved in providing teacher training on Te Tiriti o Waitangi in ECE, place-based education, sustainability, and socio-emotional competency. Robyn has worked extensively with the learning outcomes of the Sustainable Development Goals devised by UNESCO in relation to ECE. She was also a Royal NZ Plunket Society volunteer for 17 years, taking on various roles, including Manager of the Car Seat Rental scheme. Prior to having children, Robyn was a taxation accountant in public, private and corporate organisations.
Qualifications: M.Ed., B.Com., Dip. Tchg (Early childhood).
David Haynes (Whitianga) – ECE Advocate and Operations Advisor
David is currently, vice chair and treasurer of an early childhood centre. He has lead the OECE’s Pay Parity Steering Group along with being a member of our ECAC. He is also chief executive of the Internet Service Providers Association. He has post graduate qualifications in logistics and in quality management and former experience in running several complex businesses and experienced in employment law. He also commanded NZ’s contingent with the United Nations Operation in Somalia as well as coordinating the logistic support for the 24,000 strong multi-national force.
Qualifications: Dip Quality Assurance, B.Sc. (Engineering), Dip. Logistics Management.
If you’d like to know more about our ECAC, or if you wish to express your interest in joining ECAC, you’re welcome to contact us.
Read more: About Us
