Maxine Hemi is Education Strategy Curriculum Developer for Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. Previously, she was Lead Advisor at the Ministry of Education, a teacher at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa, Head of Department at Linwood College and Principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rotoiti.