Thank you Te Tumuaki - Bronwyn Yates.

It was with mixed emotions that staff said goodbye to Bronwyn Yates from the organisation this month. Literacy Aotearoa staff took the opportunity to say thanks and farewell to Bronwyn and to wish her the very best in her new role. 

Bronwyn has been a long-time force behind the development of Literacy Aotearoa, and a tireless proponent of adult literacy and equitable literacy outcomes. As CEO, Te Tumuaki of Literacy Aotearoa she has overseen the transformation from an incorporated society into one national registered charity - one organisation working to support our national mission.

Bronwyn has given 30+ years of service and dedication to the community and Aotearoa and in 2002 was awarded a QSM for services to literacy and the community. She has worked in the community education and voluntary sector, primarily in the area of adult literacy, as a tutor, literacy coordinator and national trainer and manager - and as Te Tumuaki was charged with leading the organisation into a new era as a single national charity. The establishment of this organisation during Covid-19 involved a number of challenges and hurdles which Bronwyn led the organisation through, at all times pushing forward the development of our kaupapa and mission.

At the heart of every action has been her aroha for people and passion for adult literacy. As an organisation we have been lucky to have an intelligent, passionate, dedicated and down to earth leader for so long. Bronwyn can step away knowing that Literacy Aotearoa Charitable Trust is a coordinated national force for adult literacy and will continue to work hard to fulfil its mission to give all people of Aotearoa the choice, change and freedom that comes from literacy. 

The far reaching legacy of Bronwyn’s mighty effort in the adult literacy sector and most certainly within Literacy Aotearoa will be felt for many years to come and we wish her the best of luck in all future adventures. 

                                                                             
Hutia te rito o te harakeke,
kei hea te kōmako e kō?
Kī mai nei ki ahau:
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
Māku e kī atu,
he tāngata,
he tāngata,
he tāngata.

If you were to pluck out the centre of the flax bush,
where would the bellbird sing?
If you were to ask me:
What is the most important 
thing in the world?
I would reply, it is 
people, people, people....