Carmen Dalli

Born1959 (age 65–66)

AlmamaterVictoria University of Wellington

ThesisStarting Childcare Before Three: Narratives of Experience From a Tri-Partite Focus (1999)

Doctoral advisor

• Lise Bird
• Anne Mead

Carmen Dalli MNZM
Dalli in 2025
Born	1959 (age 65–66)
Alma mater	Victoria University of Wellington
Scientific career
Thesis	Starting Childcare Before Three: Narratives of Experience From a Tri-Partite Focus (1999)
Doctoral advisor	Lise Bird Anne Mead
Doctoral students	Marie Bell[1] Linda Mitchell[2]

Maria Carmela "Carmen" Dalli MNZM (born 1959) is a New Zealand education academic specialising in early childhood education. In December 2024, Dalli was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education.^[3]

Dalli has a BA (Hons) from the University of Malta, a MEd from the University of Bristol and a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington^[4][5] She is currently a professor in the School of Education at Victoria University of Wellington.^[4]

Professor Dalli is chair of an independent ministerial advisory group set up to advise the Government of New Zealand on the development of its 10 Year Early Learning Strategic Plan.^[6][7]

Dalli is honorary consul for Malta in Wellington.^[8][9][10]