Success Stories

St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria kura have seen several graduates go through their doors, each leaving with a set of values and skills that shape their character as SSQV graduates.

Read the stories of some of our alumni and alumnae below to find out how their time at SSQV kura helped mould them into who they are today.

Tama Potaka
Tama Potaka

Alumni – St Stephen’s | Tīpene

Tama Potaka was born in a small town in the North Island called Reitihi, Tama has accomplished so much in his career.
He has held multiple high-titled jobs such as, being a direct investment advisor at the NZ Super Fund, and as the former head of corporate services for Tanui Group Holdings. Prior to these roles, Tama utilised his legal qualifications practicing as a solicitor.
In 2023 Tama was a member of the Māori affairs committee from February 2023 to August 2023, and a party spokesperson for Housing (Social Housing) as Māori development from January 2023 through to November 2023.

His current roles consist of, Conservation Minister, Housing (Social Housing) Associate Minister, Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister, Māori Development Minister, and Whānau Ora Minister.

Karleen Everitt
Karleen Everitt

Alumnae – Queen Victoria | Kuini Wikitoria

Karleen Everitt, a highly accomplished Alumnae of Queen Victoria, holds a Masters in Management from the prestigious University of Auckland. In June 2021, she was appointed as the Kaitohu Rautaki Maori Head of Te Ao Maori Strategy ANZ, a position that highlights her expertise and leadership in the field. Before this appointment, Karleen successfully ran her own company, Manaaki Solutions Ltd, which she founded in 2006. Notably, she made history as the first wāhine and Māori to be appointed as the Chair to Northland’s Regional Economic Development Agency, Northland Inc. Throughout her career, Karleen has held numerous governance roles, showcasing her ability to serve both Māori and non-Māori entities. A true advocate for social and economic opportunities, Karleen is particularly passionate about empowering wāhine and women to forge their own paths, both locally and internationally.

She is proud to be the Deputy Chair of the St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria Schools Trust Board, elected in 2018.

Te Kani Kingi
Te Kani Kingi

Alumni – St Stephen’s | Tīpene

A long-serving member of the Old Boys’ Association and a stalwart supporter of the reopening of St Stephen’s School | Tīpene kaupapa, Te Kani Kingi (Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Awa) is excited to see the school reopen. Born in Poroporo and raised by his grandparents, the importance of education was ingrained in Te Kani from a young age. His connection to Tīpene goes back nearly 100 years, to his Grandfather and Great Uncle, who were both students of the school when it first opened on the Bombay site in 1931.

After spending much of his early academic career at Massey University in Wellington, he recently returned home to Whakatane in order to take up a role as Professor of Research at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. His specialist areas of expertise are mental health, psychometrics, longitudinal research, and public health. He has been an executive member of a number of national health and scientific boards and is the former Chair of the New Zealand Mental Health Commission.