Meet our team: Emma Brown

Published 13 January 2023

Emma Brown is a regional learner advisor at Te Mahi Ako. Based in Dunedin, Emma says nothing beats walking alongside learners on their journey. They find the right qualification, get excited, put in the work and get through the challenges, and everyone gets to celebrate when they graduate.

“Maybe that person didn’t find school easy, or maybe they have never done a tertiary qualification. It is really satisfying [to help them succeed in education].

“Of course there are plenty of learners who just fly through and that’s awesome, but those ones that we work really closely with, who have maybe had some issues or barriers – they are the most rewarding.”

Emma has an anthropology degree and has worked in museums, events and science communications. When she’s not working with Te Mahi Ako learners, she and her husband run an outdoor recreation business, and just recently helped to host the local Hillary Outdoors Get2Go challenge.

“Year 10 students get together in all the regions, and compete in mountain biking, orienteering and sea kayaking. We run the sea kayak challenge, so we’ll have 180 kids turning up throughout the day. It’s just a really fun event with these passionate outdoor education teachers and kids who are pumped to have a day out.

“The outdoors provides a sort of shortcut for making connections between people, and it’s a great example of that.”