CJ is our Pou Ārahi Reo Māori (Lead Te Reo Māori Trainer) and a Pouako mō Te Kaa (Te Kaa Trainer), bringing his passion for Te Reo Māori to the Maurea team and our clients.

CJ came to Maurea from the education sector as a teacher of te reo Māori in bilingual units. His reo journey began over 10 years ago, when he decided to make a lifetime commitment to learning and using te reo Māori. He chose to further immerse himself in reo speaking environments by enrolling his children in Kōhanga Reo; and has continued their growth through to Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Through attending wānanga, surrounding himself with reo speakers, and always looking for ways to improve his reo, he has created opportunities for himself to teach te reo Māori.
CJ is passionate about all things Māori and enjoys the reciprocation of teaching and learning as a lead facilitator of the Te Kaa program.

CJ is of Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Wairere, and Ngāti Rangiwewehi descent.

John is a Pouako mō Te Kaa (Te Kaa Trainer) who brings a wealth of experience from the education and health sectors to inform his delivery of Te Kaa.​

Working in these sectors highlighted the inequities experienced by Māori and has informed John’s commitment to be a bridge builder between Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā.​

John completed a Bachelor of Arts in Māori Development, majoring in media studies at Auckland University of Technology and has a Diploma in Māori language fluency from Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa o Aotearoa.

John is also a part of the dynamic duo that created the chartiable trust Soften Up Bro to normalise emotional dialogue amongst young men. It creates a non judgemental space that allows young men to understand that there is strength in vulnerablity.

John is of Ngāti Kahu, Tūhoe descent.