Dr Audrey Tan, MNZM
Dr Audrey Tan provides mathematical solutions of the highest quality, dedicating more than 20 years to raising mathematics achievement in New Zealand. In 2026, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to mathematics education. A leading advocate for reform to strengthen teaching practices, she has contributed to the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum at every year level from Years 0 to 13. She served as a member of the NCEA Numeracy Subject Expert Group in 2020, and was appointed to the 2024 Ministerial Advisory Group to review the English and Mathematics & Statistics learning areas. Her work as Subject Lead and Reviewer of the refreshed Mathematics & Statistics learning area was reflected in the implementation of connected, structured teaching methods by schools in 2025. In 2026, she is a Specialist Advisor and Reviewer of the new Mathematics & Statistics subjects for Years 11-13.
Audrey’s work is inspired by her extensive experience working directly with primary and secondary students, built on the Tan family’s intergenerational success as mathematics educators. Her parents, Choon and Rosemary Tan, were renowned for unlocking children’s potential, including that of their own three children. Both Audrey and her older brother, David, passed University Entrance Mathematics (Year 12 equivalent) when they were 10 years old. David became the youngest graduate in New Zealand at the age of 16. Audrey’s younger brother, Michael, made international headlines when he passed Bursary Mathematics (Year 13 equivalent) at the age of seven.
Audrey holds a PhD in Pure Mathematics from King’s College, University of Cambridge, completing her thesis at the age of 22, and graduated with a BSc Honours (First Class) degree in Mathematics from the University of Canterbury at the age of 17. She was elected as an Honorary Scholar, and later a Fellow, of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society. Following her tertiary studies, Audrey joined the IT industry in Cambridge UK, specialising in the development of 3D geometric modelling software. After just two years working for the US-based company Spatial Corporation, she was appointed as manager of their UK development office. Alongside her excellent communication skills, her commercial STEM experience continues to inform her pragmatic approach to solving problems in mathematics education.
Fun facts:
- Audrey’s academic great-grandfather is Alan M. Turing, with whom she shares the same initials
- Audrey has an Erdös number of 3
Dr Michael Hayes
Dr Michael Hayes has spent close to 20 years working with school-aged students in New Zealand, covering various curricula including NZQA Scholarship Calculus, Cambridge International, and International Baccalaureate.
Michael graduated from Queen’s University of Belfast with a BSc First Class Honours degree in Mathematics, winning a Foundation Scholarship in his first year. He went on to complete a Master of Advanced Study in Mathematics at King’s College, University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Durham, where he also tutored mathematics undergraduates for several years.
After completing his doctorate, Michael joined the IT industry in Cambridge UK, developing software systems for ESI (Electronic Share Information) Ltd and E*TRADE UK, and later working for ProQuest Information and Learning. On moving to New Zealand, he worked for Diligent, developing software for the financial services industry. During his transition to the education sector, he tutored mathematics and engineering undergraduates at the University of Canterbury. With his breadth of experience across academia, industry and international curricula, Michael is an excellent mentor of secondary school students who are navigating the demands of multiple subjects and considering their career options.