I am an innovative educator and passionate advocate for youth empowerment based in Opotiki. I have worked at Opotiki College (6 years), Western Heights High School (6 years), and Massey High School (1 & 1/2 years), focusing on improving literacy, incorporating innovative teaching strategies, and leading various educational initiatives.

I'm committed to lifelong learning and evolving teaching practices which I think shows my dedication to my students' educational and personal development. I have actively engaged in professional development, collaborative problem-solving, and have made various contributions to educational communities and networks (#EngChatNZ, PPTA BOP and NZATE).

I am in the process of establishing the Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā, a dedicated youth centre designed to nurture and elevate the potential of local youth here in Opotiki. I strongly believe that it is critical to support our rangatahi in order to break inter-generational māmae and patterns of abuse. Through workshops, youth activities, and community service facilitation, I aim to provide a supportive and empowering environment where young people can thrive.

My passion extends beyond the classroom, with a focus on creating opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery through diverse activities. I have several goals - one of which is to offer a range of after-school programs, including creative and sporting activities, under the banner of AfterSchool Vibes.

I am a keen learner and am passionate about seeking new knowledge and experiences to further my goals and aspirations for the community. I connect deeply with others on personal, spiritual, and emotional levels. I know I have several areas of growth and am keen to do the work in order to make my dream a reality. I truly want to inspire and support the Opotiki community to reach their untapped potential.

Here we are… Te Ariroa Evolutions

My love for writing, art, helping people, learning, nurturing growth and a whole heap of other things combined.

What is Te Ariroa Evolutions? It’s me.

When I first started on my self-discovery journey - I was seeking out my identity. Who I was, what made me me… What I found was a little confronting and anxious to consider but through a WHOLE lot of healing… I’ve finally been able to reconnect with who I am, my love for life, passions abounding and reset my energies to allow me to recenter myself.

Te Ariroa - Ari Te Roa — Alex Le Long

Sidetrack — A cute story:

When I was at university, I was on the old Student Job Search and I came across an ad seeking some babysitting/nannying. The employer was asking for someone who spoke Te Reo Maori, had an interest in childcare, was studying teaching and who was keen to support a whanau on a casual basis and a pepi to grow their reo Maori.

I applied. I got the job. I was mega excited.

I showed up at the whare - fruit trees, big backyard.

The little one was SO cute! His Mama/Nan was lovely too. She gave me instructions about where things were and what to do with him.

She asked what my name was - I said Alex. She suggested we encourage him to call me Ari — as he was primarily speaking reo Maori.

This little one and I had so much fun and I truly enjoyed my time with him. He’d say “Ari! Ari! Ari!” and get my to come see what he was doing or to push him on the swing or explore their backyard. Playing on the trampoline was fun for him too. He loved to peeke! It solidified my thoughts around teaching too. I knew then that I wanted to teach. I had this innate feeling that that’s what I was meant to do with my life. To teach. To Support. To nurtutre myself and others in the process. To help and grow the collective consciousness.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I taught him over the last few years but I need to figure out the timeline and mention it to his Maamaa.

What a cool circular korero it would be if this were the case, ne?