Lila Te Kani is a passionate educator and artist dedicated to nurturing creativity and cultural identity through Māori and Indigenous art practices. As a Kaiako for Toi Paematua, Lila specializes in Rauangi (Visual Arts), guiding learners to explore traditional and contemporary art forms while fostering a deep connection to whakapapa and tikanga.  

 

Alongside her teaching role, Lila serves as National Secretary and Branch President for Tuia Union, where she advocates for fair and equitable workplaces in tertiary education. In these leadership positions, she works closely with delegates and members to strengthen representation, address workplace challenges, and uphold the values of manaakitanga and kotahitanga within the union movement.

 

Lila is a mother of 5 with 6 moko who whakapapa to Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau, Te Arawa, Ngapuhi, Ngaiterangi and Samoa.  She grew up in Fordlands and returned in 2019 after spending 20 years away.  "I returned to connect with my roots and the whenua that has made me the person I am today.  That whenua includes Fordlands because this is where our whānau homestead is and will always be".