'By Kaiako For Kaiako' Presentation Sessions 

Curriculum Change Updates 

Ruth Corkill (Ministry of Education) 

This session provides an update on the progress of the curriculum refresh, with a focus on what teachers can expect in the coming months. Ruth will outline upcoming resources, timelines, and supports designed to help schools integrate the refreshed NZC, to give you a clear picture of what is changing and how to prepare for implementation. 

Learning Kits – Annual, Unit and Lesson Plans for embedding the refreshed NZC 

Ruth Corkill (Ministry of Education)  

This session explores the Ministry's new exemplar annual, unit, and lesson plans aligned with the refreshed NZC. Ruth will unpack the structure and intent of these resources, using examples to show how they can be adapted for local curriculum design. There will also be opportunities to workshop ideas and provide feedback on what you would like to see in future iterations of these resources. 

The Kaumatua Games – A Blueprint for Student-Led Interdisciplinary Success 

Margaret Medland & Gemma McDonald (Rototuna Senior High School) 

Rototuna Senior High School’s annual Kaumatua Games is more than just a community event; it is a massive, multi-disciplinary engine for student leadership and authentic assessment. Hosting over 400 Kaumatua from across the North Island, the project integrates Level 2 and 3 Hospitality, Home Economics, PE, Kapa Haka, and the Cultural Council. This presentation explores how we move beyond traditional classroom boundaries to create an authentic commercial-scale operation that empowers all learners—including our vulnerable students—to lead, collaborate, and succeed in a high-stakes environment. 

Drop in Cafe Session 

Sharyn McPherson (HETTANZ Executive) 

Led by Sharyn Macpherson - Do you have a moderation question, unit plan query, document management, health and safety, or anything else? Sharyn’s areas of knowledge includes, Food, Materials and Processes all areas. 

Supporting teachers throughout their Careers 

Adele Towgood (PPTA) 

Progressing from PCT to Experienced classroom teacher and eventually any leadership role comes with change and challenge.  Understanding your professional and industrial obligations and entitlements can ensure you approach these milestones effectively and develop best practice for those relationships that make Schools the dynamic places to work. "   

Pedagogical Strategies for Beginning teachers  

Jennis Hayes  (HETTANZ Executive and Mount Albert Grammar School (Tāmaki Makaurau) 

Jennis is an enthusiastic educator with a creative background in visual communication and fine arts, and a Master’s in Professional Studies (Modern Learning Environments). Her session provides practical strategies and inspiration for both new and experienced teachers, blending contemporary teaching practices with creativity. 

Building on feedback from her 2025 presentation, she plans to include hands-on activities and tangible takeaways. Jennis welcomes input from the HETTANZ Executive to align her session with the overall conference vision. 

Year 7–8 Pasifika Textiles Workshop – Appliqué through a Pasifika Lens  

Tina Lumsden (Manaia View School) 

Tina brings over 20 years of fashion and textile industry experience to her third year of teaching. Her workshop introduces the applied design skill of appliqué through the cultural lens of Pasifika design, particularly the symmetrical patterns of Tivaevae. 

Students explore themes such as Matariki or Te Taiao, creating both paper exemplars and fabric samples that come together into a collaborative class piece. The lesson embeds values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Turangawaewae, and Kotahitanga, while incorporating literacy and maths-rich learning. A follow-up session on instructional writing reinforces technical and language skills through reflection and structured documentation. 

Tokyo to Kyoto: A Culturally Immersive Food & Textiles Tour of Japan 

Holly Stevenson & Kerry-Anne Murnane (St Margaret’s College, Christchurch) 

 Holly and Kerry-Anne share the planning, purpose, and curriculum connections behind St Margaret’s College’s upcoming cross-curricular Food and Textiles tour of Japan. This immersive experience connects culture, creativity, and curriculum across destinations including Tokyo, Yamanashi, Kyoto, and Osaka. 

The presentation explores how traditional and modern Japanese food and textile practices intersect — from ramen-making and sushi workshops to visits to Nippori Fabric Town and tie-dyeing in Arimatsu. Students engage with sashiko, shibori, and sustainability principles, while drawing comparisons between Japanese and New Zealand food cultures. 

A key focus of the session will be on practical guidance for planning international educational trips — including itinerary design, health and safety considerations, NCEA alignment, and communication strategies with families and travel providers. 

Growing Capability: Integrating Food Literacy, Literacy, and Numeracy in Practice 

Joyce Shankar-Kay (Passionate Foodie & Technology Educator) 

At Ōpihi College, Joyce is leading a cross-curricular, place-based approach to food literacy education. Her session explores how literacy and numeracy are interwoven with food literacy to support real-world learning and student wellbeing. Drawing on Dr Wendy Slatter’s research (Education for Food Literacy, University of Auckland, 2018), Joyce demonstrates how curriculum design can foster critical thinking, sustainability awareness, and ethical food engagement. 

Examples include text analysis of food advertising and policy, nutrition label interpretation, budgeting tasks, and storytelling through whakapapa kai. Joyce also highlights how numeracy is embedded through real data analysis, measurement, and food system calculations. 

Carlin Linklater (HETTANZ Executive Member and Cambridge High School) 

Explore practical strategies for engaging all learners by teaching to the four corners of the classroom. Learn how gender differences influence engagement and behaviour, and how clear learning intentions and success criteria can lift achievement. This session blends practical literacy and numeracy strategies with real classroom insight" 

Kāwhe & kōrero - Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga Māori drop-in session  

Sam Wright (HETTANZ Executive)   

This will be an informal drop-in session. Come along for a korero, support, ideas and brainstorming or even to learn a waiata or help with pronunciation.  

Workshops 

Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō)  

Niho Taniwha: Improving Teaching and Learning for Ākonga Māori  

Niho Taniwha is both a pedagogical model and a framework that enables educators to optimise the impact of their teaching for ākonga Māori, helping those (and all) ākonga to thrive and reach their potential as learners.  

Melanie will help participants to develop a greater understanding and empathy for the realities of ākonga Māori and their whānau including some of the barriers to success and ways that these can be overcome. 

Sashiko Workshop 

Bronwyn Gillies (Waitaki Girls' High School) 

Sashiko is a Japanese stitching technique that originates in the mending and strengthening of fabrics, giving value to the worn and damaged textiles that could be discarded. The technique is relatively quick to do and fits nicely with kaitiakitanga principles. It is now also used for decorative purposes. 

Participants can try the technique and learn about resources. 

During the workshop I will discuss aspects of working in ‘flow’ and what I have learnt through running day-long workshops to promote experimentation in the classroom. 

The ABCs of Couching Rebecca Owen (BERNINA) 

Couching is a simple way to add colour and texture to the surface of fabrics. It’s one of the most versatile embellishment methods available because of the limitless combinations. We’ll demonstrate a variety of couching techniques using different presser feet, before giving you a chance to play yourself and you’ll leave with a booklet of couching instructions to use in your class. 

Plan A or B, Who Knows? Finding a place for HomeEconomics in the New Curriculum Drafts 

Nicola Potts & Jess Patel (Kaiārahi Food & Nutrition) 

In this collaborative workshop, we will be addressing the uncertainties of the current draft curriculum updates. We will begin by exploring strategic ways to ensure Home Economics remains visible within the draft HPE learning area. We will then engage in a hands-on session to build a ‘pivot portfolio,’ creating adaptable unit plans that align with the latest Technology curriculum requirements. To wrap up, we will provide a quick-fire update on the 2026 Derived Grade Exams, equipping you with the clarity and resources needed to support your students through the upcoming assessment cycle.

Understanding Our Own Stress Response System – Avoiding Emotional Fatigue  

Kathryn Berkett (Engage Training)  

We all understand that we need to look after ourselves, but do we really understand the neuroscience of it all. This session will explain what happens from a neurobiological lens, when we activate into stress. It will also unpack the positive results when we return that same stress response to calm. This way, everyone can find their own healthy, adaptive, applicable recipe for avoiding emotional fatigue as much as we humanly can. 

Sustainability in a Materials Context. Christina Stilwell (Kaiārahi Technology) & Sharyn Macpherson (HETTANZ Executive) 

Not sure how to teach the 11MPT standard 92014 Demonstrate understandable practices of Sustainable practices in the development of a Materials and Processing Technology design? Come along to this workshop where you will have the opportunity to become more confident with the standard. You will walk away with a useful teaching resource and have fun creating an evening bag using ribbon embroidery and other techniques. Numbers are limited to 30.  

INVITED SPEAKERS 

The Otago Recipe: Turning a Passion for Food into a High-Impact Career 

Professor Miranda Mirosa (CMInstD | FNZIFST) 

Head of Department, Food Science, University of Otago 

How do we feed a growing population sustainably, safely, and deliciously? The answer lies in Food Science. 

In this session, Professor Miranda Mirosa explores the dynamic world of Food Science at the University of Otago, highlighting how the discipline transforms curious students into global food innovators. Miranda will provide an inside look at the Otago programme, showcasing how our curriculum bridges the gap between fundamental science and real-world application. 

Drawing from her own leading research in food waste reduction, consumer behaviour, and sustainable food systems, she will demonstrate how research-informed teaching comes alive in the classroom. From analysing the psychology of the supermarket aisle to developing upcycled food products, discover how we empower students to solve the food challenges of tomorrow. 

Join us to see how your students can turn a passion for food into a high-impact career at New Zealand’s first School of Food Science. 

Rescued from Obscurity 

Nikolai Solakof (Owner / Creative Director Oscar Eide) 

After stumbling across a forgotten New Zealand outerwear brand, former builder Nikolai Solakof set out to bring it back to life. He’ll share the journey, the hard lessons, and what he’s learned about making things locally in the modern day. 

Janelle Riki Waka (Riki Consultancy)  

He kai kei aku ringa: Reclaiming mātauranga Māori in Home Economics and Technology 

What does it mean to truly honour te Tiriti o Waitangi in our classrooms, and creative spaces? 

This kōrero invites kaiako to move beyond inclusive classrooms and into meaningful, equity focussed practice. Through the lens of mātauranga Māori, we will explore how kai, sustainability, design, and wellbeing are deeply interconnected, grounded in whakapapa, whenua, and wairuatanga. 

Drawing on real experiences working alongside kura, boards, and communities across Aotearoa, this session offers practical ways to embed tikanga, reo, and kaupapa Māori into Home Economics and Technology programmes, in ways that are authentic, respectful, and transformative for ākonga. 

Sustainable Hospitality, Resilience and Perseverance 

Lucas Paarkinson (Executive chef and owner, Aryeh, Piha) 

Lucas’ talk will begin by covering his transition into the industry, sharing his story of how he got started, what his training and time in the industry were like, and the places it has taken him. He will then move into fatherhood, becoming a dad and chef at the young age of 22, detailing the dedication and balance required to make it work. 

The talk will then explore overcoming hardship and setbacks, including his time opening Ode in Wanaka, the awards achieved, the restaurant burning down, and the journey of rebuilding. Lucas will also touch on the impact of COVID, losing everything and having to start again, before rebuilding the mental strength to work even harder and ultimately open Aryeh in Auckland.