On this page we introduce our OECE Advisory Committee.
Kaupapa Matua | Purpose
Our early childhood advisory committee is an independent oversight group, supporting the OECE by providing a sounding board and advice targeted to achieving better quality early childhood education and care for the benefit of children, their families and whānau, and ultimately for society.
Our committee brings together diverse perspectives of stakeholders in the sector, including teachers, parents, academics, and health professionals. All early childhood services are recognised without bias, and this includes 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)
The committee’s work and advice are guided by the values expressed in the OECE’s position statements on:
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Indigenous Rights
- The rights of children in ECE
- 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 Committee Members
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
ECE journey started in Playcentre. Life member of OMEP Aotearoa NZ and of the Hospital Play Specialists Assn. Served on government and Ministry of Education advisory committees, including the Strategic Plan for Early Learning reference group (2018) and the Strategic Plan for Early Childhood working group (2000-2001). Member of the Child Poverty Action Group, Tick4Kids and Childrens’ Rights Alliance Aotearoa
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 (Kapiti Coast) – Senior ECE Researcher and Child Rights Advocate
Worked as a kindergarten teacher, a union leader, and academic at Victoria University of Wellington. Has been involved in many projects with young children, whānau and communities. 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. (Waiwhetu)
Involved in Te Kōhanga Reo movement for 42yrs, 15 years with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust as a Kaupapa Kaimahi, course Trainer over all courses that the Te Kōhanga Reo Trust offer. Has a sound understanding of Te Whāriki Māori. Three yeasr working part time for Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori (Kauru Reo) MoE programme reaching out to schools, Kura and ECE where teachers want to take up Te Reo and how best they can use Te Reo within the School, Kura environment.
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. 42yrs of Life Skills. Born and Breed on her Marae. (Waiwhetu)
Pono ki te Kaupapa, Puna Ko te Reo.
Dr Leanne Young (Auckland) – Child Health and Nutrition Expert
Research Fellow at the University of Auckland’s National Institute of Health Innovation. Former Portfolio Manager for the Ministry of Health and Food Industry Setting Manager for the NZ Heart Foundation. 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
Centre owner/manager and ECE qualified teacher. Over 20 years’ experience in the early childhood sector.
Qualifications: B.Tchg (ECE), Dip business management.
Alice Ingram (Te Whanganui-a-tara | Wellington) – Curriculum Writer and Teacher
Developing Unit Standards for Level 2 and 3 Early Childhood Education. Previously spent 10 years as a primary school teacher, working with New Entrants through to Year 4. Former NZEI Union Representative, Year 3-4 Team Leader, and In-School Digital Leader. Alice also has a young daughter who attends a kindergarten.
Qualifications: Post-Grad Dip in Teaching (Primary), B.A (Education and Art History).
Russell Ballantyne (Dunedin) – Men in ECE Advocate and ECE Service Director
President of the EC-Menz Network. Co-owner of an early childhood centre for the past 20 years. Over 40 years’ experience in the ECE sector, including as a teacher, teacher education lecturer, kindergarten senior teacher, and general manager of a kindergarten association. Skilled in non-profit organisations.
Qualifications: B.A., NZFKU Dip.
Robyn Mockett (Wellington) – Retired Kindergarten Teacher.
Seventeen years early childhood teaching experience. Involvement 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 early childhood education. 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: Master of Education, Bachelor of Commerce, Diploma in Teaching (Early childhood).
David Haynes (Whitianga) – Operations Advisor.
Currently, vice chair and treasurer of an early childhood centre, leader of the OECE’s Pay Parity Steering Group, and chief executive of the Internet Service Providers Association. Post graduate qualifications in logistics and in quality management. Former experience in running several complex businesses and experienced in employment law. 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.
