Kaiako Spotlight – Matt Naden

Kia ora koutou 

Ko Maungaputa tōku maunga

Ko Te Moana nui a Kiwa tōku moana

Ko Otepoti tōku waka

Ko te iwi o Tahiti tōku iwi

Ko Allie tōku māmā

Ko Mark tōku pāpā

Ko Ana rātou, ko Sara, ko Emma tōku tuahine

Ko Matt Naden tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou katoa, I am Matt Naden and I teach Physical Education and Health. I was born in Waipukurau and raised in Gisborne. I moved to Kirikiriroa in 2018 after finishing school in Gisborne to study Health, Sport, and Human Performance at the University of Waikato conjoint with a bachelor of Secondary School Teaching. 

Growing up on the east coast I found my love of the outdoors. My main hobbies include surfing, diving, rugby, camping and gaming on the playstation with friends. I enjoy watching and playing all sports and am currently playing rugby for Morrinsville Sports and really enjoyed the season this year. My family still live in Gisborne and I go home to see them as much as possible. 

I am one of the lucky kaiako at HHS who get to be a part of whānau. I started teaching in whānau at the start of this year and have loved every minute of it. Getting to know the ākonga in whānau and developing positive relationships with them has been a highlight of my year. I have a strong passion for Te Ao Māori and Te Reo. Being in whānau has allowed me to develop in these areas and learn off the other kaiako and ākonga which has been awesome. 

It is a privilege to be part of the awesome Physical Education and Health department at HHS. Our department is also like a whānau and everyone enjoys working with each other and the ākonga which makes it a really positive environment to work in. I do my best to make sure learning is student-centred, recognises individual differences and extends all students, to ensure equity and excellence.

One of my passions is coaching rugby. I have coached the junior rugby team at HHS for the past three years and made a lot of good memories. My goal for the future with rugby is having a 1st XV again at Hillcrest and making rugby fun. I love being a kaiako at HHS, getting to work with the amazing people and ākonga. I look forward to seeing what 2025 has on offer 🙂