SLANZA Manukura introduction, acknowledgment to our Past President

It is with pleasure that we introduce our new Manukura (President), Claudine Crabtree. You may know Claudine as the Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland National executive representative. She has held this role for two years. Below is an introductory speech that Claudine presented at our AGM: 
Ko Maunga-taniwha te maunga 
Ko Tapapa te awa 
Ko Ngātoki-mata-whau-roa te waka 
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi 
Ko Te Uri Mahoe te hapū 
Ko Mangamuka te marae 
Ko Otene te whanau 
Ko Claudine Crabtree takou ingoa. 
Just in case you are wondering who I am and what on earth I’m doing here I thought I would briefly fill you in...
I live and work in Auckland, I’m married to Nick and we have 2 boys, Sam 19 and Ben 14, a dog called Phoebe and 2 cats. Apart from books and reading, I am an admirer of fashion, I love shopping and I love dancing. 
I started my working life in the corporate world as an E.A. or Executive Assistant to company CEO’s and MD’s. 
I took time off to travel with my husband who was sailing professionally so we lived overseas for a few years before returning to Aotearoa to have our 2 boys.   
With my husband's role in the sailing industry we moved to the UK in 2010 and in 2014 I started working at the Junior school my son was at in the library.  I loved it and knew I had finally found my “thing”.  Libraries and books have always been my happy place, so connecting young people to these is a dream come true for me.  
Currently I am Library Manager at Baradene College in Auckland.  I think I have the best job in the whole world.  I think being a school librarian is one of the most important jobs in education.   
And I want everyone else – pupils, parents, principals, politicians and the press to know that too, and to know the value and importance of school librarians and libraries in schools.

This is why I joined SLANZA, why I volunteered to take on a National Executive role 2 years
ago and why I put my hand up to become President.
SLANZA started over 20 years ago and there have been many Presidents and N.E. members in that time – to all those volunteers for your time, effort, dedication, passion, tears and laughter (hopefully!) we acknowledge and appreciate we are here today because of you.   
We have an amazing N.E. team who volunteer their wealth of knowledge, experience, insight and passion for school libraries and librarians.   
Thank you to Sasha Eastwood for your mahi, leadership and passion.  So much has been achieved and gained with you as President.  Huge thanks and appreciation to Julia Smith (Te Tai Tokerau), Trena Lile (new for Tamaki Makaurau Auckland), Leonie Grigsby (new for Waikato Bay of Plenty), Clare Forrest (Wellington), Sally Brown (Aoraki), Lauryn Urqhart-Eaton (new for Otago), Kirsty Adam (Southland), and Sarah Stretch who joined us in September last year as our National Administrator. 
​I am grateful and proud to be a part of this team and to lead SLANZA into this next chapter. 
And just a final thought – a quote I love about school libraries: 

And we could all do with a little madness from time to time. Happy reading and please get in touch if you have any ideas, questions, comments or feedback for us.   
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Immediate Past President ​
We wish to acknowledge Sasha Eastwood who made a massive contribution to SLANZA in her tenure as President, selflessly heading and working on multiple projects to strengthen SLANZA and support school librarians and school libraries throughout Aotearoa. Three examples of her biggest achievements include the NZEI Pay Equity Campaign, building relationships and opportunities through the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme, strategic partnerships with library sector stakeholders, and the Governance Review. As immediate Past President, Sasha has taken on the lead in the SLANZA Research Project. Her commitment and dedication to SLANZA is truly inspiring and we are indeed fortunate to have her level of knowledge and experience. ​