o Hikurangi tōku Maunga
Ko Waiapu tōku Awa
Ko Horouta tōku Waka
Ko Ngāti Porou tōku Iwi
Ko Dorothy Taare-Smith tōku ingoa
No Tūranganui a kiwa ahau

My Mountain is Hikurangi
My River is Waiapu
My Canoe is Horouta
My tribe is Ngāti Porou
My name is Dorothy Taare-Smith
I am from Tūranganui a kiwa

Dorothy Taare-Smith has worked in the disability sector for well over 20 years as a teacher-aide, teacher, specialist teacher, advocate and is the nanny of a Mokopuna who is Takiwātanga (on the autism spectrum). Having worked for several years advocating for and supporting children, Whānau (families) and community groups in a wide range of contexts, Dorothy has developed a comprehensive understanding of the New Zealand disability sector.

Dorothy is the founder of Taonga Takiwātanga Charitable Trust. The nature of the trust is to provide professional development and support to Whānau living in high populated Maori communities in Te Tairāwhiti.

Dorothy has a particular interest in the area of Takiwātanga – Autism from a Māori perspective where she has identified key implications for Te Whānau Takiwātanga seeking cultural authenticity in the Education, Health and Justice sector.

Dorothy’s academic accolades

Diploma in Child Protection Studies – Child Matters NZ

Bachelor of Education (Teaching) – The University of Auckland

Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – Massey University

Master of Specialist Teaching (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – Massey University

Sheryl Peters is joining us as a Project Coordinator. She is a Winnipeg-based social researcher, filmmaker and artist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Sociology. Her research work focuses on social equity, health and well-being of women and older adults, person-centred health care, and decolonizing/anti-oppressive research methods. Her community arts work includes digital storytelling projects with Indigenous women and girls and newcomers’ first experiences in Canada. Sheryl makes documentary videos with a social focus as the Co-Producer of As It Happened Productions. Sheryl’s pronouns are She and Her.

Tena koutou,
Ko Hikurangi raua Ko Pohooterangi nga maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngati Porou tuturu raua ko Ngati Ruawaipu nga iwi
Ko Bernie Wastney toku ingoa
Ko Samantha raua ko Michael aku tamariki
He severe autism a Michael
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa        

Greetings everyone,
Hikurangi and Pohooterangi are the mountains
Waiapu is the river
Ngati Porou tuturu and Ngati Ruawaipu are the tribes.
My name is Bernie Wastney
My children are Samantha and Michael,
Michael has severe autism.
Therefore, thank you... thank you… thank you all

Bernie is a mother and full time carer of Michael, who has severe autism. She has been privileged to meet and support many families, and to advocate for the best possible outcome for people with ASD and their families.

As Maori, (indigenous person of New Zealand) her values include:- Aroha (love- giving with no expectation of return) Manaakitanga (sharing and building up others, nurturing and challenging), Tikanga (doing things the right way according to our values) and Wananga (Innovation and problem solving).

Bernie is an active volunteer, as Trustee for Pai4ASD Trust (Promotion of Acceptance and Inclusion for ASD) producing and distributing DVDs explaining ASD to every school, library, hospital, emergency service, support and service organisations throughout New Zealand, was a school Board of Trustee member, served on many committees including Autism NZ Manawatu branch and a regular speaker at Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education staff training days speaking of Autism from a Maori parent perspective.