University of Auckland Teaching Excellence Awards

Tia is a leading Indigenous dance educator whose practice spans 25 years across tertiary and community settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, The Pacific, Australia, and the UK. Her pedagogy is grounded in kaupapa Māori and Moana Oceania worldviews, with an emphasis on relationality, place-based learning, and intercultural praxis. Tia has designed numerous courses including: Contemporary Māori and Pacific Dance, Dance Education, and Dance Community and Education Research, and is the recipient of the 2025 Faculty of Arts and Education Teaching Excellence Award for Sustained Excellence.

Tia is recognised for creating culturally safe environments that empower diverse learners. She integrates multimodal, studio-led, and reflective practice, and has pioneered Indigenous-led curriculum development, including the internationally collaborative Teaching Oceania project.

Her work exemplifies a pedagogy of aroha (compassion), accountability, and transformation, where dance becomes a site of cultural resurgence, critical inquiry, and community wellbeing.

Profile: Tia Reihana

Hazim’s approach to teaching Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering is defined by clarity, creativity, and a strong student-centred ethos. Since joining the University in 2013, he has coordinated several core engineering courses, consistently earning praise for his engaging lectures, practical demonstrations, and carefully designed learning materials. Known for his innovative practices like ‘Silly Hats Day’ and gamified assignments, Hazim creates an inclusive and enjoyable learning experience that makes complex engineering concepts accessible and memorable.

He draws upon constructivist and space-based learning approaches, with a focus on active problem-solving and feedback-driven improvement. And utilising a wide range of educational technologies—from formative quizzes and peer assessments to custom-built knowledge bases—he fosters meaningful engagement in large cohorts.

His leadership roles, including Assistant Dean and Deputy Head of Department, reflect his broader impact on learning and teaching across the faculty.

Profile: Hazim Namik

Jean teaches health education in the Faculty of Arts and Education, and her style is grounded in vā-relationality—a Pacific framework that centres connection, care, and collective growth. Her classrooms are inclusive, culturally responsive spaces where students feel seen and supported to engage deeply with complex ideas. She draws from Freirean principles and Indigenous pedagogies, and designs learning experiences that honour students’ ‘lived realities’ while challenging dominant knowledge systems.

Jean has developed new postgraduate courses, redesigned undergraduate curricula to centre Indigenous perspectives, and has helped advance equity in health and physical education. Her innovative use of embodied activities and collaborative learning fosters critical thinking and belonging; the impact of which is evident in her consistently high student evaluations, which describe her classes as transformative, relational, and inspiring—testament to her commitment to excellence, equity, and the power of education to uplift communities.

Profile: Jean M Uasike Allen

Valerio’s dynamic teaching style (as Programme Director for the BE(Hons) in Software Engineering) blends innovation, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to student success. His teaching philosophy centres on empowering students to think and act like professional software engineers, and his approach—grounded in the TeachWell Framework—features interactive live coding, real-world analogies, and hands-on projects.

Valerio has led significant curriculum innovations, including the development of automated tools for assessing coding style and design, and his contributions have been recognised with multiple awards, including the IEEE Best Paper Award (Education category) at the International Conference on Software Testing (ICST 2025).

Profile: Dr Valerio Terragni

Fiona’s leadership in medical education spans curriculum innovation, wellbeing advocacy, and systemic change. She has held multiple formal leadership roles at our University, including Pastoral Care Lead and Academic Lead for Fitness-to-Practice, and has pioneered initiatives that promote safe, inclusive, and empowering student experiences. For example, she developed the internationally recognised SAFE-DRS wellbeing curriculum and co-created the CALM website, which has supported hundreds of thousands of users globally. And her HOTSPOTS system addresses bullying and discrimination in clinical placements, and has been adopted into training programmes across New Zealand.

Fiona’s leadership style is marked by collaboration, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to equity—qualities that have earned her multiple awards and a reputation as a catalyst for positive change in healthcare education.

Profile: Fiona Moir

Amar is an innovative educator in Chemical and Materials Engineering, known for his dynamic teaching methods that bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications. His enthusiasm and practical experience make complex engineering principles accessible and engaging. Amar has effectively implemented flipped classrooms and interactive quizzes, significantly enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. His dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment has earned him high praise from both students and colleagues, and multiple awards from the faculty.

Profile: Dr Amar Al Auckaili

Drawing from her Samoan heritage, Moeata integrates Indigenous and Pacific knowledges into her Sociology curriculum, creating environments where students feel valued and inspired. Her teaching philosophy emphasises relational, holistic, and student-centred approaches, aligning with the principles of Taumata Teitei and the TeachWell framework. Moeata uses interactive activities to illustrate social inequalities and connects course themes to students’ lived experiences. Her dedication to student success is evident in her personalised feedback and pastoral care. This year, she also received the Faculty of Arts Early Career Teaching Excellence Award.

Profile: Dr Moeata Keil

Nasser is a leading educator in Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering, recognised for his innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success. His development of tools like the Active Classroom Programmer (ACP) and Co-Thinker has made complex concepts accessible and engaging. By focusing on practical applications and real-world scenarios, Nasser prepares students for successful careers. His dedication to continuous improvement and his ability to inspire both students and colleagues have made a lasting impact on the academic community.

Profile: Dr Nasser Giacaman

Emma Sadera is celebrated for her exceptional leadership in teaching and learning within the FMHS. Her innovative tutor training and peer review initiatives have significantly enhanced teaching quality. Emma’s dedication to inclusive pedagogies has empowered students and colleagues, fostering a supportive learning environment. Her contributions to university-wide projects, like the UoA Tutoring Central hub, underscore her commitment to equity and accessibility, making her a deserving recipient of the award.

Profile: Emma Sadera

Andrew is a trailblazer in teaching, creating and spreading new ways to engage and empower learners. He combines his deep professional expertise with visionary leadership, inspiring academic and industry teams to excel. He knows ‘what students need to be able to learn’ and designs his courses, technologies, and assessments accordingly. He also invests in his own and others’ professional growth, mentoring junior colleagues and shaping the future of education.

Profile: Dr Andrew Brown

Sereana tackles social inequities and celebrates learner diversity by using a co-design approach that gives students ownership and agency in their education. She creates relational learning environments where students feel valued, connected, and achieve better learning outcomes. She also allows them to express their authentic selves by developing and using learning resources that combine visual creativity and participatory learning.

This dedicated educator sets high standards and inspires both staff and students with her empathy and engaging two-way learning approach. A champion of creative collaborations and formative assessments, Alys believes every step in the learning process matters, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking in her students through authentic experiences.

Profile: Professor Alys Longley

Danping Wang fosters vibrant learning communities in the Faculty of Arts and Education, where collaboration and shared knowledge spark innovation. Committed to relational learning and diverse perspectives, Danping creates an inclusive space aligned with Ako principles. Innovative technology and dedication to mentoring colleagues amplify Danping’s impact, empowering students and faculty to excel.

Profile: Dr Danping Wang