Our Trust
The Kaikohekohe Education Trust (KET) is a result of Ohaeawai School, Tautoro School and Kaikohe West School initially forming a Learning and Change Network. The KET was formed in order to provide an entity to develop funds so we could achieve our goals. Funds are initially needed to provide the equity for the lease of the Chromebooks that parents are paying off, professional development for teachers and parents, plus employ an administrator for the Lease Agreements and administrative requirements across the cluster.
Forming the KET came about because of the above reasons plus:
We are determined to provide the best learning opportunities for our students so they can be confident in the world beyond Kaikohe.
We are otherwise isolated so a digital solution that is manageable for teachers and families is essential.
We are into solutions not barriers. If we keep on doing what we have always done our students will always get what they have always got.
Students can (and do) learn from each other within their class and school and this broadens their horizon considerably. This is important in a town like Kaikohe.
Parents and families can be part of their child’s learning every day. It will be like their desk coming home each day. Parents actively involved in their child’s learning does make a big difference.
Parents will be empowered and will therefore develop a positive attitude to education.
This initiative is being driven by professional and passionate people who are committed to see this succeed long term.
Kaikohekohe Education Trustees
Chairperson - Cliff Whitelaw
Cliff grew up and went to school in Kaikohe, attending Kaikohe Primary School and Northland College.
Cliff commenced his working life as a stock truck driver before heading off to University in Auckland to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. He spent a number of years working in Auckland before returning to Kaikohe to become a partner in the now Whitelaw Weber Chartered Accountants Practice located in Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.
He has always had a strong commitment to his community, having been involved in a number of community organisations as well as having served nine years on the Far North District Council and the Kaikohe Community Board. Cliff has chaired a number of these organisations and is a past Company Director.
Cliff has been Chairman of the Kaikohekohe Education Trust since its formation in 2015.
Cliff enjoys time with family, working on his lifestyle block and is a keen golfer in the summer and a keen snowboarder in the Winter.
Lee Whitelaw
Lee has been involved in Primary Education in Northland for the past 28 years retiring in December 2017 after 20 years as Principal of Ohaeawai School. She has been the Chairperson of the Kaikohe & Districts Principals Association as well as being a Mentor for First Time Principals and involved in the appraisal and appointment of several principals in Northland.
Lee has been involved with the Kaikohe Education Trust since its inception and was the original Convening Principal representing the Kaikohekohe Education Trust in the Manaiakalani Outreach group of schools across New Zealand.
Lee has always been keen to see students and their whanau in Taitokerau succeed and have the very best of opportunities to succeed in the future and therefore sees the Kaikohekohe Education Trust as having a major role to play in education in Taitokerau.
As well as having a keen interest in education, children and their future Lee loves to keep fit garden, cook ,and travel to visit her children and grandchildren.
Laurie Byers
Laurie of Kaikohe, served 18 years as a District Councillor, 3 as Deputy Mayor. He was chairperson of District Development, Works, Hearings and the District Plan. He was an RMA Commissioner with Chairperson endorsement. He was a trustee of Sport Northland for 9 years, and a Life Member of Kaikohe Golf and Squash Club and a NZ Olympic and Commonwealth representative. He has served 23 years as a trustee of North Point Trust for Mental Health and Ministry of Social Development. He was a Lion for 22 years, is a Justice of the Peace and was awarded a QSM for services to the community.
Raewyn Ritchie
Tony Liefting
My partner and I have a dairy farm in Tautoro, 12 kilometres south west of Kaikohe . We have a ten year old son Anthony who goes to Tautoro school.
Sally Macauley, QSM JP
Sally Macauley has lived in the Far North District for over 40 years and has been married to Peter for 50 years, has two children and four grandchildren.
Sally is the Chairman of the Northland District Health Board and Chairman of the DHB Regional Governance Group encompassing the three Metro Health Boards: Waitemata DHB, Auckland DHB and Counties Manakau DHB. Sally has ensured the people of the Mid and Far North have access to all services with the rebuild of the Bay of Islands Hospital and the Kaitaia Hospital initiating chemotherapy and small joint replacement procedures.
Sally has been actively involved for many years in Northland and Far North District Municipal Associations, including Local government. She is a councillor and past deputy mayor of the Far North District Council (FNDC) where she is actively involved with economic development in the Far North District.
Sally is also a Trustee of Kaikohe Community and Youth Centre Trust.
She plays a significant role in the Northland Arts and is the Chairman of the Bay of Islands Arts Festival Trust and is a trustee of the Kerikeri International Piano Competition Trust.
Sally is a Judicial and Ministerial Justice of the Peace and is a marriage celebrant.
In 2009 Sally received a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for Services to the Community.