Marja Kneepkens

Marja Kneepkens is Programme Leader for the Westport Campus, and West Coast Co-ordinator with responsibility for developing the Buller Strategy. She is also currently part of the FOG team managing West Coast operations. She has worked in adult education and training on and off for over 20 years and says she her motivation comes from breaking down barriers to tertiary learning and creating accessible pathways for all people, no matter what their goals or learning background.

During her career she has also developed training materials, been a secondary school teacher and adventure tourism tutor. Marja has a Bachelor of Social Science and Diplomas in Teaching and Business, and says one of her most interesting roles was 18 months spent developing and implementing a Careers Education programme for secondary schools in the Cook Islands.

When she is not working she is a driver and personal assistant to her children, and loves fishing, whitebaiting, growing herbs, playing competition pool, and anything else that gets her out of housework.