2026 Leaders

Kia ora koutou katoa
Ko K2 te maunga
Ko Rawi te awa
No Pakistan ahau
Ko Mustasam toku whanau
Ko Aiza toku ingoa

Hello everyone! My name is Aiza Mustasam and it is such a privilege to serve as the Head Prefect for 2026. This role is a huge honour that I hold with deep gratitude. It is wonderful to represent our kura and the values that make it such a special place. Throughout my time at Tauranga Girls’ College, I have been given countless opportunities to grow as a learner, leader, and a person. These experiences have shaped who I am today, and they continue to inspire me as I lead.

A whakatauki that guides me everyday is: “Ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu - Adorn the bird with feathers and it will fly.” To me, this speaks to the importance of uplifting and empowering others so they can reach their full potential. As Head Prefect, I aim to encourage our ākonga to find their strengths, use their voice, and feel confident in who they are. Leadership is not about standing above others, but about walking alongside them and creating an environment where everyone feels supported and inspired to succeed.

I am incredibly proud to work alongside my dedicated and passionate Deputy Head Prefects who make up the 2026 Kaitiakiāwhina team: Brooke Barnett, Ruby Jones, Greta Fish, Isla-Mia Tukukino, Alana Sio, Aku Gautam and Lilah Joe. Together, we not only aim to serve our kura with integrity, care and kindness, yet also strive to create a fun and inclusive school year.

I look forward to the year ahead and to working with our students, staff, and wider community to continue empowering our learners to make a positive impact.

Ko Waikato tōku awa
Ko Wharepūhunga tōku maunga
Ko Raukawa tōku iwi
Ko Ngāti Huri tōku hapu
Ko Pikitū tōku marae
Ko Barnett tōku whanau
Ko Brooke tōku ingoa

Tena Koutou Katoa,
My name is Brooke Barnett and I am absolutely privileged to serve as Tauranga Girls’ College Deputy Head Prefect of Learning for 2026.

Alongside my incredible team of learning prefects — Kate Kneebone, Maddie Evans, Bobbi Butcher, Savanna Singh, Emily Evans, and Sienna Clark — we are committed to ensure our brilliant school remains a place where students are proud to belong. To encourage our ākonga to look after and serve our community, our whenua, and our hauora.

Throughout my years at this amazing kura, I have learnt many lessons from many people and experiences. From year 9, I learnt the value of a support system. The steady support of my teachers, friends, and my whanau taught me that there would always be someone there for me when I reached out. From year 10, I learnt the joy of signing up. Giving things a go simply for the fun of it allowed me to find invaluable spaces of passion, people, and experiences. In year 11, I learnt the power of commitment. That when giving my best and showing up was all I could do was all I could do; that which I valued, valued me back. Finally, in year 12, I learnt how inspiration can come in many different forms. Most relevant, my peers. Those who from junior to senior school have been with me every step of the way making TGC the school where I am excited to attend each day

I am absolutely empowered by the incredible wahine of this school — the Kaitiakiāwhina, my prefects, and my fellow students — to help make Tauranga Girls’ College a place where each and every ākonga can thrive. Because I know that we will be able to take the lessons of TGC beyond the confines of Cameron Road and into our lives and futures.

You are heard, you are valued, and you are beautiful.

Tena koutou Katoa
Ko Mauao te maunga
Ko Tauranga te Moana
Ko te awanui te awa
No Tauranga ahau
Ko Ruby Jones toku ingoa
Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou Katoa

Kia ora whanau I’m Ruby and im honoured to be your 2026 Deputy Head Prefect of Sports.

I am very grateful and proud to work alongside my amazing sports prefects, for Athlete Development the prefects are Hannah Rawson and Carina Roberts. And Social Engagement is Michaela McNaughton and Sarah-Jane Fowler. I am so excited to work alongside these awesome Wahine this year.

I express myself as a positive leader. I choose to lead by example, embracing the school values every day, something I’ve committed to since day dot of Year 9. My positivity shows in the energy I bring to those around me. I’m a team player who embraces every opportunity with enthusiasm seeing each one as a learning experience. I’m not afraid to put myself out there with confidence, even if I might be wrong. That’s just how I learn and grow. These experiences will guide me as I grow into a more mindful learner and effective leader.

Lastly I am someone who is kind, someone to look up to quite literally at 6 foot 2 and someone who loves a challenge. I hope to share kindness throughout our school, celebrating our differences, and encompassing our values to share a sense of whanaungatanga.

Tena tatou katoa
Ko Greta Fish toku ingoa
Ka whangaia ahau e tenei whenua, te whenua o Tauranga Moana
Ka hangaia ahau e toku pono i Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o toku whanau
A, ka whakapakaritia ahau e tenei hapori, nga kaiako me aku hoa
No reira, tena koutou katoa

I believe one trademark of a teenage girl is her ability to find beauty in everything. Give her a computer and she’ll cover it in stickers. Give her notes for her school work and she'll highlight that whole page, drawings in the margins.

As the 2026 Deputy Head of Arts for Tauranga Girls’ College, it is this ability that inspires my leadership. My goal for our school this year is to find and nurture the beauty that each student holds in herself and sees in their education.

My involvement in the arts at Tauranga Girls’ College has been mostly behind the scenes. I spend my time in the orchestra pit beneath the stage, hidden in the design room or the studio, at the lighting desk in a dark corner of a production. Taking on these roles has given me perspective to see leadership as building a solid foundation for others to perform upon. Alongside the Arts prefects - Heather Billinghurst, Jade Lee-Kerkhof, Mia Lunson and Trixie Saludez - I am excited to build events to allow the students of the Arts Departments to shine.

At the heart of our school is collaboration, an important value of our student body. In each department the value of Mahi Tahi, students using the beauty they see in the world to create together, is what makes our school a place of discovery. If our leadership is able to support each and every student to do this, our school will be an eco-system of students supporting each other to find the beauty they see in the world, themselves, and our school.

“Ka oho te wairua
Ka mataara te tinana
He aroha ki te aroha
Ka kā te rama
Tihei mauri ora.”
Nā Te Rauparaha
Ko Whitireia me Titirangi ōku maunga
Ko Tainui me Tereanini ōku waka
Ko Porirua me Uawanui-a-Ruamatua ōku awa
Ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tamaterā, Kāi Tahu me Waikato-Tainui ōku iwi
Ko Isla-Mia Tukukino ahau
Tena koutou katoa, I’m Isla-Mia, your Deputy Head Prefect of Te Ao Māori for 2026.

It's a blessing to be a part of such a progressive and supportive kura such as Te Kura Tuarua o Ngā Tai Tama Wahine o Tauranga Moana. As a leader, I am committed to serving our kura and the community around it while also educating and exposing our ākonga to Te Ao Māori. Our culture is beautifully layered with intention and meaning, and shouldn’t be feared or pushed aside.

In addition to these blessings, I am working alongside Te Manawa Apanui, Tairiria Phillips-Popata, Piper De Bono and Nua Mokomoko this year as they serve as the 2026 Te Ao Māori Prefects for Tauranga Girls’ College. These amazing kōhine are here to tautoko any Kaupapa Māori within our kura and in our wider community while also honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their everyday lives.

The values of our kura: Mahi Tahi, Manaakitanga and Mana Motuhake are at the heart of the mahi that me and my prefects are committed to. These values guide the way we serve, lead, and uplift others within our kura. We bridge Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā, supporting ākonga to feel confident in who they are and ready for the world beyond kura. Success is not one path and is not always linear, but every ākonga deserves to leave kura empowered in their chosen path.

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!”

Tēna koutou katoa
Ko Tairea te maunga,
Ko whangawehi te awa,
Ko Tuahuru te marae,
Ko Ngai Tu te hapu
Ko Rongomaiwahine te Iwi,
Ko Kurahaupo te waka
Ko Alana toku ingoa.

Kia Ora tatou, Talofa Lava, and hello everybody my name
is Alana Sio and I am proud to be your Deputy Head Prefect of Diversity for 2026.

At Tauranga Girls College everyone has their own unique traits and qualities, and it is my goal to help each and every student in our kura feel comfortable and appreciated. This year I am very excited and honoured to achieve this goal by working alongside my amazing team with the International prefects Journey Kuka and Jiin Jung, the school wide diversity prefects Ruby Kaur Deo and Namita Nitesh and lastly the Pasifika Perspective Prefects Angel Tu’ungafasi and Daysie Tamatea. Together we will strive to celebrate and embrace the diversity in TGC, creating a strong sense of belonging in our kura.

I believe that every student no matter the expectations or fears that are holding them back, have the ability and support to achieve their goals and dreams. In my role as the Deputy Head Prefect of Diversity, I am committed to uplifting and encouraging all students to try/achieve all of their goals and to create a school culture where every ākonga feel valued, seen, and empowered to be themselves.

As your cultural diversity team, we have our own identities, experiences, and culture. These shape the way we connect and learn with another. In my role and with my team, I aim to honour these differences and ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging here at TGC. By uplifting the many unique perspectives, we can create a community where all students have the confidence and chance to grow and thrive in our kura.

At the end of the day try your hardest in everything cause you're cool, amazing, and appreciated!

Ko Bagmati tōku awa
Nō Nepal ahau
Ko Gautam tōku whānau
Ko Aku tōku ingoa
Tēnā tātou katoa.
Kia ora everyone, my name is Aku Gautam and I am incredibly honoured to serve as your 2026 Deputy Head Prefect of Communications and Publicity. Ko Everest tōku maunga.
One of the things I value most about Tauranga Girls’ College is that there truly is a place for everyone. Our kura is filled with so many opportunities, talents, and stories, and I believe strong communication is what brings all of that to life. It’s not just about sharing information, but about making people feel seen, included, and connected.
Like a bridge between people, communication connects ideas, opportunities, and voices, turning individuals into a community. This year, my goal is to make communication more visible, accessible, and engaging. Whether through our fortnightly Student Comms Spotlight, social media updates, or celebrating student achievements, we want to ensure every ākonga knows what’s available to them and feels encouraged to get involved.

I am so lucky to be working alongside an amazing team of Communications Prefects — Chloe Davies, Holly Pope, Maia Li, Nina Varley, and Zoey Fryer — as well as our Board of Trustees student representatives, Pearl Vahey-Bourne and Jemma Miri, and the Vertical Communications Committee. Together, we aim to strengthen the connection within our kura, celebrate achievements, and amplify student voices.
I believe that when people feel like they belong, they thrive. And when communication lifts everyone’s voice, it creates a stronger, more connected school community.
I’m so excited for the year ahead and to work alongside you all to make 2026 a year where everyone feels informed, included, and proud to be part of TGC.

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Baiyun te maunga
Ko Pearl River te awa
No Tauranga Moana tōku kāinga
Ko Joe te whānau
Ko Lilah tōku ingoa
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Lilah Joe, and I am incredibly proud to serve as Tauranga Girls’ College Deputy Head of School Spirit for 2026!
My goal for all of you is to:
Be fearless, like Jean Batten, who chased what once felt impossible.
Be driven, like Kate Sheppard, who stood firm and created change.
Be authentic, like Katherine Mansfeld, using her voice and staying true to herself.
Be strong, like Dame Whina Cooper, not backing down for what she believes in.
And be compassionate, like Te Auetu, remembered for her kindness in times of struggle.
These inspiring wāhine are our house figureheads, and are who we look up to as students of TGC. Our houses are built on what they represent, and through school spirit, we bring that into everything we do- in the way we show up, support each other, and work together!

Along with ensuring these wāhine are celebrated at Tauranga Girls’ College, my role is also to bring fun, laughter, and of course spirit to our kura! From dressing up in crazy outfits for house events, to helping bring exciting new competitions to life, and making sure everyone feels valued and included- school spirit is all about bringing people together and making TGC a place everyone enjoys being part of.
However, none of this would be possible without the incredible School Spirit team I work alongside! This includes TGC’s 10 dedicated house leaders: Peyton Bond and Pippa McKinnon (Batten), Indy Rhodes and Portia Dawson (Te Auetu), Willa Stott and Charlie Taylor (Mansfield), Bella Young and Tatianna Curtis (Sheppard), and Katie Pentecost and Addy Hughes (Whina).
When your years at Tauranga Girls’ College are over and it’s time to leave the kura, you probably won’t remember every test or assignment, but you will remember the memories made through house events like athletics and swimming sports, and the moments when we all came together as one. I know for sure, I’ll never forget these times!

So, I encourage you all to take every opportunity you are given, back your house, BE YOU, and make the most of your time at this school! GOOOOO TGC!