Beatrice Kerr "grew up at Parawera on the central North Island. After attending primary school there she went to Turakina Girls’ College. She trained as a teacher at Auckland Teachers’ College and a long career in teaching followed. Her husband, Bob Kerr, is also a teacher and, with their two children, they travelled to various parts of the country to teach. They spent some years in Ruatoria, Taupo, Cape Runaway and Auckland. After working in Mangere, Beatrice Kerr retired for the first time. She was found and called back to work at a school in need of a person with her bi-lingual and bi-cultural knowledge and skills. She retired again and began teaching Māori language in block courses to adults. After some time in this work, she retired for a third time to enjoy life at home. It was not to be: the Department of Māori Affairs persuaded her to take the position as coordinator of kohanga reo programmes in South Auckland. She has held this position for the past three years." Kerr worked as Māori Adviser to the Auckland District Committee of the Historic Places Trust. She has been an instrumental figure in the founding of Te Mana o Te Maunga o Mangere.
Biographical sources
- Living Languages: Bilingualism & Community Language in New Zealand. Ed. Walter Hirsh. Auckland, N.Z.: Heinemann and the Office of The Race Relations Conciliator, 1987. 95.
Non-fiction
- "Te Kohanga Reo ‘He Kakano i Ruia Mai i Rangiatea’." Living Languages: Bilingualism & Community Language in New Zealand. Ed. Walter Hirsh. Auckland, N.Z.: Heinemann; Office of The Race Relations Conciliator, 1987. 95-97.
- Kerr gives a clear account of the development of Te Kohanga Reo since its founding at the Pukeatua Kokiri Centre, Wainuiomata in early 1981. Kerr notes its rapid growth and outlines its funding, structure of management and the issues of concern as kohanga children move on into primary schools.
- "Ko Mangere Te Maunga." New Zealand Historical Places 39 (1992): 11-15.
- Kerr writes a detailed description of the education project Te Mana o Te Maunga o Mangere based around Mangere Mountain in Manukau City. The project was first conceived in the mid-1980s when Kerr worked as Māori Adviser to the Auckland District Committee of the Historic Places Trust.