Dr Tanya Wendt Samu is a senior lecturer in the School of Critical Studies in Education, Faculty of Education & Social Work, University of Auckland. She contributes to under-graduate and graduate courses in initial teacher education focusing on the education and well-being of Pacific/ Pasifika peoples, and diversity in education. She teaches postgraduate courses in Pacific education  and research, and supervises postgraduate and doctoral thesis in Pacific education. Tanya’s specific research interests in Pacific education are education policy; teacher education; research; and curriculum.  

Tanya currently serves as one of the academic navigators for Tui Tuia ki Tapasā. This is the PLD programme she helped to design, to support teachers in centres and schools, engage with the MOE’s Tapasā: Cultural competences for teachers of Pacific learners (2018). Tanya serves as an academic navigator to contribute to the development of sustainable educational practices and relationships that will enhance the capacity and capabilities of Pacific communities to achieve their aspirations for their children.

Tanya’s previous experiences with advising and consultancy has been with education projects delivering in-country to Samoa, Nauru, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar, and desk analyses for respective departments/ ministries of Education in Tokelau, Tonga and Solomon Islands. She worked closely with lead teachers selected to review curricula and school-based social science subjects; develop and deliver social science PLD programmes for national lead teachers; and run workshops in curriculum development and resources development (including teacher guides).