CrestClean customer awarded prize-filled kete at Te Akatea conference
Dunedin Regional Master Franchisees Tony and Nicky Kramers hosted a competition at the recent Te Akatea (Māori Principals) conference, awarding a prize-filled kete (basket) to one lucky attendee. Deputy Principal of Panama Road School, Carol Leota, was the winner of the generous kete, taking home wine, chutney, chocolate and “all the good stuff,” she says.
Much like Tony and Nicky, Carol was impressed by Te Akatea’s work to empower Māori school leaders. A particular highlight for Carol was the impactful messages shared by Bruce Jepson, leader of the Māori Principals Association.
“He had some important messages for leaders on how we need to support our learners, whanau, hapū and iwi,” says Carol.
“To stand together strongly to strengthen what’s important for our learners.”
Carol was thrilled to be among such a strong network at the Hui Taumata, a testament to the promising future of emerging Māori leaders.
“Now that I’ve attended one hui, I can see how taking emerging leaders along with me to the next Hui Taumata will really support growing Māori leaders in schools,” she says.
Coincidentally, Panama Road School is also a CrestClean customer. Auckland East franchise owners, Sheik and Farzana Saheb, keep the school looking its best and Carol has always admired their exceptional standard of work.
“Sheik and Farzana do an amazing job here at Panama Road School. They have really strong communication. Nothing’s ever a problem,” she says.
“I see their team moving through together and making sure everything is clean, clear and organised.”
As Carol is often working after school hours, she has the opportunity to catch up with Sheik, Farzana. She says it’s moving to have one of the couple’s team members greet her in te reo Māori.
“He can see there’s a Māori teacher there and he’s using te reo Māori to speak with me, it’s really exciting. It’s very appreciated.”
Carol says Sheik and Farzana are never afraid to go the extra mile, even if it means working through the night. She remembers one occasion where a plumbing issue caused severe flooding across several classrooms. The school’s Principal contacted Sheik and Farzana and their team were onboard right away. Working through the night, they cleaned the affected classrooms to minimise the effect on schools’ staff the next day.
“The only thing we needed to do the next day was put the dehumidifier on. They must have worked through the night to remove the water,” says Carol.
Whether they’re clearing floods or communicating health and safety risks, Carol says Sheik and Farzana support the school staff and help keep the school safe.
“Those are the things outside of their job, but it supports us and we appreciate it.”
Tony and Nicky were grateful to meet a like-minded CrestClean customer who shares an interest in the kaupapa of Te Akatea. As part of Huia Kaimanawa group within Te Akatea, Carol is actively involved in increasing the rangatiratanga of hapū and iwi and, like Tony and Nicky, she can’t wait to see what’s on the conference agenda in 2025.
