Staff
TAUTAI TRUST MANAGER
Christina Jeffery was appointed to the fulltime role of Trust Manager in mid 2007 having filled the role in an acting capacity when required. Prior to her appointment Christina held a part time position as Tautai’s Communications Manager from early 2004.
Christina completed her Masters degree in History in 2005, having completed her Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University with a double major in Maori and History in 2003. This academic work built on her established interests and commitment to the community and the course of studies selected encompassed strong practical and interpersonal skills. Her employment roles since then have been self-managed and broad ranging in management and event implementation positions for two organisations.
Prior to her university studies Christina’s other experience included work in New Zealand for a representation company which involved handling the publicity and public relations for Hong Kong, Macau, and Anaheim as tourist destinations. Christina has been a supporter of Tautai since its inception and also brings that long period of contact with pacific artists to the role.
TAUTAI FRESH HORIZONS PROGRAM MANAGER
Jean Clarkson is of Norfolk Island/Tahitian/Scots descent. Jean was appointed to the newly created role of Fresh Horizons Program Manager in December 2007 and is responsible for this education strand of Tautai’s activities. This includes organising the workshops and seeking funding to secure the development of the program.
Jean graduated from Elam School of Art in 1972 specialising in printmaking. In the 1980s she worked at Sydney University’s “Tinsheds” Artist collective producing large screen-printed street posters, some now held in the Australian National Gallery. Jean taught fabric design and print at Auckland University of Technology for twenty years. She led a group of Pacific designers in creating a large scale installation for Parliament’s Galleria project and she has two costumes in Te Papa’s Pacific collection. Jean worked on the art program at Paremoremo men’s prison for six years, helping drive their art contribution to Auckland Public Hospital. Jean has previously served on Tautai’s board for three years.
TAUTAI ARTS/OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS
Nooroa Tapuni has held the position of Arts Administrator since January 2007. She is working part time in the office while pursuing a Masters in Art and Design at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Nooroa graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 1998 and she completed a Graduate Diploma in Digital Media in 2006 at AUT.
Nooroa has primary responsibility for maintaining the website and member and contact database and is the initial responder to requests for information and assistance. Nooroa also carries out the general office administration and maintains the financial records as well as the archives of information held about artists and their exhibitions.
A multi-disciplinary artist of Cook Island descent, in her art practice Nooroa works with object making, painting, installation, and digital media. She has taken part in several Tautai symposiums and group exhibitions over the years.
Marlaina Key is a multi-media artist of Samoan descent who has worked as a part time Arts Administrator for Tautai since February 2009. She graduated from Whitecliffe College of Art & Design in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in painting. As well as her work at Tautai, Marlaina works on her own art practice and has taken part in a number of exhibitions. She was also contracted to co-ordinate the Arts Pasifika Awards for Creative New Zealand in 2009.
Marlaina has primary responsibility for the member and contact database and is the initial responder to requests for information and assistance. Marlaina also carries out the general office administration and helps maintain the archives of information held about artists and their exhibitions.