DoctorToni Torepe

Dr Toni Torepe (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha) is a respected Māori academic and Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Education at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Her whakapapa is grounded across the Ngāi Tahu region, and she identifies Arowhenua as her whānau home. Having successfully navigated an education system that did not always recognise Māori ways of knowing and being, Dr Torepe brings deep lived insight into the challenges and possibilities facing Māori learners and educators. This experience underpins her enduring commitment to Māori advancement, educational equity, and mana‑enhancing practice across teaching, research, and institutional leadership.

Her work focuses on strengthening Māori education, culturally responsive teaching, and equity in initial teacher education, with a strong commitment to supporting Māori ākonga, whānau, hapū, rūnanga, and iwi. Her research and teaching are grounded in mātauranga Māori, kaupapa Māori methodologies, and bicultural practice, with a particular emphasis on developing teachers who are culturally grounded, relationally responsive, and confident in creating inclusive learning environments.

Dr Torepe holds multiple leadership and service roles in support of her rūnanga, iwi, and wider community. These roles reflect her commitment to Māori governance, representation, and collective wellbeing, and are guided by the principles of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and rangatiratanga. Through this leadership, she ensures that her research, teaching, and institutional contributions are strategically aligned with iwi aspirations, responsive to community priorities, and accountable to Māori knowledge holders.

A longstanding advocate for Māori staff and students, Dr Torepe contributes to institutional leadership in equity, wellbeing, and cultural capability, and is widely recognised for her mentorship, relationship‑building, and commitment to mana‑enhancing approaches. Her work continues to shape how the University of Canterbury prepares teachers to serve diverse learners and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, in ways that honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and iwi‑led aspirations.