The Adventure Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare Adventure. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Aroha Te Rangi
Centre Manager
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Aroha toku ingoa. I have spent most of my life in Porirua and reside in Whitby with my husband. Our children are now adults, and I am a proud grandmother which continues to shape my perspective on the importance of early childhood education.
I bring over a decade of experience in the education sector, coming to Educare in 2018. I am committed to supporting and developing our kaiako, building their confidence, and fostering a positive, collaborative team culture.
I am dedicated to creating a calm, welcoming environment where tamariki and whānau feel a true sense of belonging, with their language, culture, and identity acknowledged, nurtured, and celebrated. I look forward to building relationships with you at Educare Adventure.
Sarah Buttar
Assistant Manager, Registered Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Sarah Wharewera (Buttar) and I have been part of the Educare whānau since 2020. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and am a fully qualified and registered teacher, with around a decades experience.
I live locally in Porirua with my own growing whānau, my husband Patrick and our daughter Ava.
I feel very lucky to have supported many tamariki as they grow from babies into confident, school-ready learners. Being part of their journey, and especially sharing in their final days with us, is always so special.
I am passionate about building strong, meaningful relationships with tamariki, and creating a warm, trusting connection with their whānau.
I look forward to meeting and getting to know all the new whānau who join our centre.
Cecilia Aitogi
Team Leader, Registered Teacher
Talofa lava Educare Adventure, my name is Cecilia Aitogi. I began working as a reliever in 2012, following in my mother’s footsteps, which inspired me to pursue further study in Early Childhood Education. I went on to complete my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, graduating in 2021.
I believe our Tamariki are our future and that building relationships with the tamariki and their whānau is important, because they are their first teachers. Being culturally responsive and inclusive are my key components to my teaching as well as nurturing and fostering the needs of the tamariki. Faafetai ma ia manuia.
Melanie Pei
Team Leader, Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, ko Mel tōku ingoa. I’m a registered teacher and I gained my graduate diploma in ECE from Victoria University in 2022 and I view myself as a life-long learner. I also have a bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology in China and I am eager to explore the psychological development of children of different ages. I have been working with young children learning a second language in China for a decade before settling in Aotearoa. I live in Aotea, Porirua with my partner John and my son Rulin. My passion is always for the well-being of the children, giving them the agency to become confident and competent learners. I believe that it is important to enrich the children’s learning experiences holistically, based on knowing their needs and interests.
Kirsten Sharp
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, my name is Kirsten and I am a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. I live locally in Whitby with my partner and our young daughter. I returned to New Zealand last year after spending most of my 20's and 30's travelling and working overseas. I have worked in a wide variety of educational settings in Japan, Thailand, England, Ireland and most recently Australia. I am excited to be part of the Educare Adventure team, and look forward to getting to know the tamariki and their whanau.
Julie Hill
Registered Teacher
My name is Julie, I live locally in Whitby with my husband and kids Phoenix and Amelia. I am a fully registered teacher. I have over 10 years experience, mostly with toddlers. I love working with kids and being able to watch as they develop and grow from toddler to preschooler and then off to school. It's so special to be such a big part of their learning journey.
Vivien Geraghty
Registered Teacher
My name is Vivi and I've been in ECE since 2013. I have 3 boys of my own, and am an active person who loves water sport (sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding). I have a passion for music, movement and dancing with children. You'll often find me doing yoga, kapa haka or teaching the children new songs.
Lately, I've been becoming more interested in school readiness skills, attitudes, behaviours and literacy to help our children as they transition into their next learning journey. I look forward to building a relationship with your whānau.
Parimala Karanam
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora and Namaskaram,
My name is Parimala Karanam. I'm from South India. I'm happily married to my husband Prasanth, and we are blessed with two children Sourya and Sarayu.
I completed my Graduate diploma in teaching for early childhood education from Victoria University. I am excited to be a part of such a great team.
I believe that every child needs the opportunity to develop socially through peer interactions, developing problem solving skills, social skills, creativity and boosting their self esteem. I believe that children learn through their playful environment. I enjoy cooking, baking, gardening and spending time with my family
Nilini Devi
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, my name is Nilini Devi. I am a fully registered early childhood teacher with over 11 years of teaching experience.
I believe it is important to develop trusting relationships with tamariki in order to understand their needs and provide support. Tamariki need to be respected, valued, nurtured and cared for, all the while providing a fun loving environment with free play and lots of opportunities to explore. I believe through group play, tamariki learn a range of skills including consideration and fair play and developing a sense of responsibility towards themselves and others to carry them through into their adult life. I look forward to working with the Educare Adventure team and meeting our whānau.
Meleka Tuiai
Registered Teacher
Talofa lava, o lo’u igoa o (my name is) Meleka. I completed my Bachelor of Teaching ECE in 2013 at Whitireia Community Polytechnic and have loved working in early childhood education since. I was born in Samoa but I’ve lived in Porirua for over 30 years and love our multi cultural community. I’m excited to be a part of the Educare team and look forward to sharing my Pacifica knowledge and values with tamaiti and their aiga. I have four children, one boy and three girls; and their experiences inspire me to create a nurturing and supportive learning environment for all.
Archer Zhang
Registered Teacher
Kia ora! I’m Archer. I’m from China and I’m a registered teacher here in New Zealand. I recently finished my Master’s degree in ECE at the University of Otago, and I also have a Master’s degree in translation.
Before coming to New Zealand, I spent almost ten years teaching young children back in China. My teaching style is all about respecting children, following their interests, and helping them grow their creativity and imagination.
Outside of teaching, I love playing guitar, drawing, board games, soccer, photography, travelling, and learning new languages. I really enjoy sharing these interests with children to help them discover and explore the world around them.
I’m so excited to get to know the tamariki and their whānau.
Kimberly Senson
Registered Teacher
Hi, I’m Kimberly. I’m an ECE teacher and a mum of two lively daughters who keep my days full and my heart even fuller. Before settling in New Zealand, I spent years learning from children and communities across the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I once dreamed of teaching the world one country at a time, and that life gave me a good taste of that adventure.
My hobbies are cooking and baking and singing in the kitchen or the shower-usually nursery rhymes. I remain grateful, humbled and inspired by the small moments I have with the children I teach. I may be the teacher in the room but I get to be the one learning from them every day. Connections, good relationships and genuine intentions are the heart of what I do and live for.
Hariata Haenga
Teacher in Training
Nei rā te ākau o mihi e rerere ana ki a koutou te whānau o Educare Adventure.
My name is Hari and i am blessed to be joining you this year. I'm currently working towards my degree but I have a lifetime of experience in the education sector. I come with a background in Kura Kaupapa, Special Needs Education and mainstream education. Through each of the paths i've taken they continue to reaffirm my passion for teaching and my desire to better understand meeting the needs of our tamariki while creating spaces that foster an enriching, confidence building, environment for all.
Grateful for the opportunity to join you all and i'm excited to be apart of your community.
Tial Din Thang
Teacher
Kia Ora, Mingalabar. My name is Tial and I am a mother of three children (two boys and one girl). I currently live in Porirua and arrived in New Zealand 13 years as a refugee from Myanmer. When I was in Myenmar I was a qualified teacher at a local middle school for 10 years. I have also worked within ECE centres within New Zealand. I have always been passionate about teaching. I am very happy to be working with all the children at Educare Adventure. I look forward to meeting and getting to know the know the team and all the Whanau.
Mya Booth
Teacher
Kia Ora! My name is Mya and I'm so thrilled to be working with your Tamariki as well as creating wondering relationships with whānau. I have studied Early Childhood level 3 & 4, which took me to nannying, relief work and now here, which I am so privileged to be able to do. In my free time I love to enjoy art and spending time with my family and friends, as well as relaxing! I believe that ensuring children have a safe and playful environment creates amazing skills and opportunities for them to grow into.
Emelyn Cabaron
Teacher
Kia Ora, my name is Emelyn. I am from the Philippines and I have just moved to New Zealand with my Husband. I was a primary school teacher back in the Philippines for 10 years and I have always been passionate about teaching, as it was my childhood dream.
I love teaching young children and being around them as it fills me with joy and adventure. I am thrilled to be a part of the Educare Adventure team, and I look forward to getting to know the tamariki and their whānau.
Ayana Rangi
Teacher
Kia Orana! My name is Ayana and I am excited to walk alongside the tamariki and their whānau here at Educare. I grew up in Porirua and have always had a passion for creating fun and engaging environments that allow our tamariki to feel safe and happy to explore. Building genuine relationships is at the heart of how I work, and I truly believe that children thrive when they feel safe and supported. I look forward to learning and growing with the children and their families, and i am thrilled to be apart of the Educare Team.
Nick von der Brelie
Nutritionist
Hi, my name is Nick. I am a proud father of 2 children (one girl and one boy). I moved to New Zealand 13 years ago and I have spent time in various parts of the country before settling in Whitby. In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities with my family. We love the beach, bike riding and everything else the beautiful region has to offer. I have been cooking in various commercial environments for about 25 years and love being able to use my experience to provide healthy and nutritious food to our tamariki.
Wendy McLoughlin
Administration
Hi, my name is Wendy and I live locally with my lovely family, which includes 2 lively girls, who keep my husband and I very busy. Since becoming a mother myself, I wanted to tie my previous administration skills in with my love of being around children.
I am excited to work with all the families in helping to create a loving, supportive and safe environment for the children.
I look forward to meeting you and your little ones and helping you with any enquiries and generally making your life easier where I can.
