EC-MENz National Summit 2026 will be held in Wellington on Saturday 21 March
EC-Menz National Summit 2026
You and your whole kaupapa whānau are warmly invited to join us in Te Whanganui-a-Tara for our 2026 EC-Menz National Summit on Saturday 21 March. This exciting event will be held in the Childspace ‘Wildlings’ nature programme teepee in beautiful Ōhāriu Valley, Wellington. High quality, affordable professional development will be accompanied by good food, great company, and a chance to share your own story and be inspired. Also, stick around for a fantastic after-party!
Camping available on site. Only $130 or $65 for 2026 students, kai included.
For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check out the EC-Menz facebook page, and please register at https://events.humanitix.com/ec-menz-summit-2026
EC-Menz Summit 2026 – Presenter Abstracts and Bios
Self-regulation & positive behaviour strategies - Robert Jensen & Nikki Wilson
ENGAGE is an evidence-based approach that supports the development of children’s self-regulation skills through intentional play. ENGAGE was developed by Professor Dione Healey (University of Otago) and has been widely researched in Aotearoa.
In collaboration with Methodist Mission Southern (MMS) and funding from the Ministry of Education, the programme is now being delivered across Aotearoa to equip tamariki with self-regulation skills to support successful navigation through school and beyond.
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Robert & Nikki are ENGAGE facilitators for the Te Whanganui-a-Tara region.
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Men can change the dynamics of play in ECE benefiting autistic tamariki - Thecla Kudakwashe Moffat
Male kaiako often bring more energy in the ECE setting with an emphasis on more physical activity, outdoor play, "rough and tumble" play, and positive risk-taking, which appeals to both boys and girls and provides a different dimension to play than may be beneficial to most autistic tamariki. We now know that through fun and engaging interactions kaiako help enhance the autistic tamariki pivotal capacities for later learning. In this talk kaiako will get to know how men in ECE with their positive energy can make a difference through play for autistic tamariki in their centres. The kaiako will be given a few strategies of how to do that and some ideas to encourage tuakana-teina (peer play) between autistic tamariki and their non-autistic peers will be shared.
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Thecla Moffat (Early Intervention Manager, Autism New Zealand) is an educator who has been in the teaching field for over three decades. Thecla is passionate about inclusion and advocate for children’s rights and needs to be met in their educational settings. Thecla has experience teaching from early childhood to primary school. She joined the tertiary sector in educating New Zealand’s teachers between January 2013 and October 2015 working as a lecturer at New Zealand Tertiary College. In her first year at New Zealand Tertiary College, she wrote the course guide for Inclusive Education Level 7. In October 2015 she joined the New Zealand Ministry of Education as an Early Intervention Specialist. In August 2019 Thecla joined Autism New Zealand to start their new early intervention services. She has a huge interest in inclusive education for children with diverse needs and promoting emotional and social competencies in the early years with special interest in autistic children. She has done research in inclusive early childhood education and promoting children’s social competencies. She sits on the Teaching Council Inclusive Education Advisory Group and currently sits on the academic programme board for New Zealand Tertiary College among other roles. She is a parent to three amazing children one of whom is neurodiverse.
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Gender Steretoypes in ECE - Mike Collin and Max Christie
What can gender stereotypes teach us about teaching and learning?
Early childhood education relies on diversity within teaching teams. Yet, gender stereotypes often shape how we see ourselves and each other as kaiako. This interactive session invites educators to explore the hidden assumptions that influence teaching roles and team dynamics. In this session, Max and Mike will unpack how stereotypes impact collaboration and how every kaiako adds unique value to teaching teams. Participants will leave with practical strategies to challenge bias, strengthen team culture, and celebrate the richness of varied approaches in ECE settings.
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Mike Collin (B. Ed)
Being a new grad, Mike harnesses a fresh perspective underpinned by recent research and hands on learning. Mike is currently a kaiako within Heretaunga Kindergarten Association, nurturing the lives of our future generations to come.
Mike changed career paths having found his passion for teaching young tamariki. He believes in kaiako being the best versions of themselves to enhance positive and meaningful learning environments for tamariki, advocating for the professionalism which early childhood kaiako achieve everyday. Mike strives for excellence in his approach to teaching and learning, seeking out the best outcomes for tamariki.
Max Christie (M. Ed)
Max brings over a decade of experience in early childhood education, blending academic expertise with hands-on leadership. Max currently lectures at EIT Te Aho a Māui, where he inspires future educators through a commitment to quality ECE for tamariki and whānau.
He began his teaching journey at Childspace Northland, where he also gained leadership experience and has facilitated PLD internationally and across Aotearoa. Max is deeply passionate about nature-based education, play, te ao Māori, leadership, innovative and affirming the mana of tamariki and kaiako.
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Play is good for you! - Robin Christie
The reciprocal nature of learning between child and adult relies on a shared language - the language of play. This universal language is unspoken, and is strongest in the presence of curious, wondrous, joyous educators. You are already fluent in this language, and the amazing diversity of playful approaches you bring to your ECE setting is a huge strength of our profession! This entertaining and thought- provoking session will reinforce the importance of playful adults in children's learning, examine the research around the role of humour in human development, and share practical tips for staying playful every day.
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Robin Christie is an early childhood teacher, playscape designer, and the co-founder of Childspace Early Learning Centres in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, Aotearoa/ New Zealand. He is passionate about creativity in the early years, developing empowering learning environments, and getting more good men into ECE. You can get hold of him anytime on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
More info to come
Summit Reports
