Awhina Paul (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Maniapoto) has 20 years of experience in tertiary education and quality assurance, with a background in business/e-commerce and management.  She came to Hanga Aro Rau from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where she worked in various roles for many years to improve outcomes for Māori and second-chance learners.  Her passion is the realisation of potential and the part that education plays in this, especially for those who face adversity, and may not fit into the current education system.

When she is not hanging with teachers and learners, she is enjoying growing healthy kai for her whānau and learning to kōrero Māori.

Awhina works with providers primarily in the Waikato, Taranaki and Otago, as well as others located in Wellington and Manawatū-Whanganui.