What is the ECE National Caucus?

The Early Childhood National Caucus is a national representative group which ensures that kindergarten and childcare members have an effective voice within NZEI Te Riu Roa. The role of the caucus is to consider and support early childhood sector issues, implement aims and policy objectives, provide information, advise national executive and arrange for representation on early childhood bodies.

The caucus membership consists of three National Executive members and three Te Reo Areare rohe and 12 regional representatives. The early childhood Te Reo Areare representative on the National Executive also attends caucus meetings.

Early Childhood National Caucus members for 2006

The composition of the Early Childhood National Caucus is three National Executive representatives, one from Te Reo Areare, 12 regional representatives and three rohe representatives.

The Co-convenors are:

• Tere Gilbert – Te Reo Areare
• Maion Dekker - Bay of Plenty

The regional  representatives are:

• Tai Tokerau – Hanna Takulua
• Auckland –Jacqui Heywood
• Waikato – Margaret Barclay
• Bay of Plenty – Marion Dekker
• Central East – Michelle (Shelly) Tinker
• Taranaki – Ramila Sadikeen
• Wanganui – Helen Wright
• Wellington - Diane Lawrence/Sarah Bell
• Nelson/Marlborough - Anne McAuley/Lucia Wielsma
• Waitaha/Canterbury -  Leonie Bowden
• Otago - Kate Couling
• Murihiku/Southland - Lorraine Howden

The rohe representatives are:

• Nga Tataha a Maui (Northern) - Melody Witehira
• Te Ngaio Tu (Central)  - Vacant
• Te Wai Pounamu (Southern) – vacant

The National Executive representatives are:

• Judith Nowotarski
• Hayley Whitaker

 To contact the ECE Caucus, contact NZEI executive officer Karen Skett