About Us
See a more detailed biography below.
Stuart Tasker
Co-founder and CEO
Acquire Wisdom New Zealand
Stuart is a highly experienced educational leader, having spent 22 years as a Principal or Head of School in New Zealand and in Asia. Stuart is a New Zealand trained and qualified teacher of Mathematics, Science and Physics. He has a PhD in Education and separate postgraduate qualifications in Teaching, in Mathematics Education and also in Educational Administration. In his final role in formal education, prior to starting AWNZ with his wife Poppy, Stuart spent 4 years as the CEO of a successful international school in Bangkok.
Poppy Tasker
Co-founder
Acquire Wisdom New Zealand
Poppy qualified from university in Thailand with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in English Language. After her graduation, Poppy worked professionally for 4 years as a singer before working in an international school in Thailand supporting students with their English language development, as a Librarian and then also as a teacher of Thai Language and Culture. In her final role in education, prior to starting AWNZ with her husband Stuart, Poppy spent 4 years as a teacher of Mindfulness in a successful international school in Bangkok.
See a more detailed biography below.
There are no more details regarding Melvin. He leads a simple life.
Mindful Melvin
Executive Vice-President of Stuff and Things
Acquire Wisdom New Zealand
Melvin has lived a simple life since he hatched in Masterton, the heart of the beautiful Wairarapa, in New Zealand. Melvin spent his early life thinking about life, his favourite pastime being gazing into the distance being lost in thought. Although occasionally the gaze masked that he was actually empty of thought and was simply being, or as he puts it 'Aming'. Melvin enjoys mindfulness, meditation and mandala. He is the co-author of the first 10 of Acquire Wisdom New Zealand's successful Mandala Art - Mindfulness in Action books.
Stuart Tasker
Co-founder and CEO
Acquire Wisdom New Zealand
Poppy Tasker
Co-founder
Acquire Wisdom New Zealand
Singer of songs
After graduation from university, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language, Poppy initially turned to the passion that had kept her financed during her studies - by turning professional as a singer! After 4 years doing this, the need for something with more palatable working hours became necessary and she started working in an international school in Rayong, Thailand, supporting students with their English language development.
After the birth of her daughter and 2 years in Indonesia as an expat spouse, Poppy worked at an international school in Bangkok as a teacher of Thai Language and Culture and then as a Librarian. She also tutored voice as part of the music academy of the school.
Mindfulness teacher
Poppy's life experiences set her up well for teaching Mindfulness for 4 years at an international school in Bangkok, where she collaborated with her husband, Stuart, on creating a rich theme-based Mindfulness curriculum, which was differentiated for Pre-school, Primary and Secondary students.
Poppy also ran regular workshops on Mindfulness after school for staff, which were also aligned to the developed Mindfulness curriculum.
One morning each week Poppy offered an open-house Mindfulness session for parents. Although it was run in English, it was very well attended by many of the Thai parents of the school too.
Mindfulness wisdom
Poppy has spent her whole life as a practicing Buddhist, where her daily routine includes meditation - several times a day actually!
She has gained the mental disciple needed for successful mediation directly from several renowned monks, by spending considerable time in Buddhist temples and also through constant self-study and indeed, with lots of practice.
