Photography by Norm Heke Photography: Nathan Picchi, Te Uhi (nephew), Harina (daughter), Erena and Taumauri (son)

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rangitihi, Waikato 

Kaiako, Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano 

Diploma in Māori Design and Art, Bachelor of Education, Poutāhū Whakaakoranga – Post graduate Diploma in Education (Māori Medium), Tāhuhu Whakaakoranga – Master of Education (Māori Medium), Poutāhū Te Reo Māori - Post Graduate Diploma in Te Reo Māori 

14 November 2025

Dai Erena Cooper, popularly known as Erena, grew up in Ōtaki, amongst a loving whānau. She was mostly raised by her grandmother, who was a teacher and later in life a kaiāwhina for Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Erena is the eldest of her siblings with three brothers. Her brothers are also kaiako with the youngest being the Tumuaki at Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano. Her mother was a kaiāwhina and pūkenga for Te Wānanga o Raukawa and was also the Tumuaki at Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano up until her passing in 2014. Her grandmother, mother and aunty were instrumental along with others with the establishment of Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, and the Poutuarongo Whakaakoranga programme – Bachelor of Teaching (Māori Medium) offered by Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Erena suspects her grandmother had plans back then for her to eventually teach at the Kura, which became a reality. Both her grandmother and mother were key figures in shaping her passion for teaching. Her partner is also a kaiako and together they are raising two awesome tamariki while sharing their love for teaching. Teaching is in her blood and it’s something she loves along with the tamariki she teaches. A comment from Erena, “I love teaching. It’s so satisfying teaching kids.” 

Erena completed the Diploma in Māori Design and Art when she was still in college. On completing college, her grandmother and aunty secretly did the paperwork to have her admitted into a qualification at Massey. She then received a surprise invitation to be interviewed and was then accepted into their Bachelor of Teaching programme. She completed the degree at the end of 2001 and began teaching at Te Kura a Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano. Erena has been teaching there since then, with a little time away for her studies. She has almost finished a Tāhuhu Te Reo Māori - Master of Education (Māori Medium) and is intending to complete it in 2026. 

For one of Erena’s reo papers she studied the writings of her tupuna, Raureti Mokonuiarangi.  It inspired her to revisit her Ngāti Rangitihi side, the maunga, the awa and marae. She took her tamariki along as well so that they could also connect with this side of her whānau. 

Erena and her whānau live in a papa kāinga which is shared with her aunty and uncle, one of her brothers with his wife and whānau, two of her first cousins with their partners and tamariki, and another uncle. There is also a two-bedroom home still to be occupied, and space for at least another six homes. The language in their homes is mostly te reo Māori and the first language of their tamariki. The tamariki are in and out of each other's homes and go off on adventures together. Life is good! 

Erena recommended the Poutāhū Whakaakoranga to her partner. He enrolled into the 2026 intake and is looking forward to it. She has also recommended that once he completes the Poutāhū Whakaakoranga that he undertakes the Poutāhū Te Reo Māori programme. She says he will love it because of his love for te reo Māori. 

For students who are enrolled in studies, Erena advises them to keep on top of their time management, stick to their targets, and as soon as their noho finishes that they get straight into their assignments. Don’t leave them for the following week because that’s the start of procrastination. Start the assignments immediately and stay on top of them. 

Te Wānanga o Raukawa is like home to Erena. She values the supportive environment, the warmth, and the sense of belonging she felt during her studies. 

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai