Meet an Educate Plus Member

Kia ora, my name is Vanita Karena and I am the Development Officer for Rutherford College. 

I started my role at Rutherford in March 2020, three days before we went into lockdown! Initially my role focused on the schools 60th Reunion that took place on the 9th April 2021, 18 months of preparation went into the event and thankfully it was a great success with over 1000 people attending the school over the two days. Since the reunion my role has evolved into setting up the Kotuku Foundation that will eventually raise funds that go directly back to the school. I am also hosting the schools first Father & daughter breakfast in September this year as well as a First 10 years brunch that is for all staff and ex pupils who attended the school between 1961 – 1971 to come together and reconnect.  

I am a mother of three children aged nine, six and three that keeps me pretty busy outside of work. In my previous life before my children, I was a high school teacher. I took a few years off after my third child before taking on my new role working with Alumni. I work 16 hours a week. When not at work I can be found on the side of the sports field cheering my kids on, or volunteering up at their primary school for different events. I have a love for cooking and when I have the time, I enjoy painting landscapes as a hobby. I can also be found doing a bit of DIY around the house and interior decorating.