The Totara Park Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare Totara Park. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Macey Egli
Centre Manager, Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, my Name is Macey Egli and I am proud to be a part of the Totara Park whānau.
I have been an Early Childhood Educator since 2014 and have a passion for working alongside young tamariki, helping them to discover their interests and blossom into capable, confident learners.
I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 beautiful young sons. One of which will be joining me in the teina room 4 days a week.
We enjoy spending time with our whānau, being outside at the beach, or at the rugby field. I love seeing the world through the lens of tamariki. Everything is magical and there is always something to learn! I am looking forward to getting to know you all, and become a part of your children's learning journeys.
Chelsee Dovey
Assistant Manager, Registered Teacher
Kia ora whānau
I’m Chelsee, and I have lived in Whangarei my whole life, living the beach life on the east coast (Ngunguru).
I have always wanted to be a teacher originally as a primary teacher however; I managed to stumble into early childhood discovering my love and passion in teaching and learning about the world alongside tamariki.
I began my journey in 2011 with Educare, I got my Bachelor in Early Childhood Education in 2015, now I plan to gain my full registration. I have a strong interest in implementing Te Ao Maori and I would like to strengthen my practice and knowledge, which is why I have joined the amazing team at Totara Park Educare.
I really look forward to getting to know you, your child and whānau on this amazing journey.
Chelsee is currently on maternity leave.
Lydia Parkinson
Registered Teacher
Kia ora Totara Park, my name is Lydia Parkinson and I am very excited to join the teaching team here. I am a fully qualified teacher and have been working in early childhood centres since 2017. I love being able to support children in their early years and give them the best start to life, I am very family orientated, and enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephews. In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, spending time with friends, and watching movies.
I look forward to getting to know you and your children as I begin my journey here at Educare Totara Park.
Cherie Rowe
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, I was born in Nottingham, England. At nine months old my family moved to New Zealand living in Auckland, and then have been a Northlander ever since I was three.
When I was young, I declared that I was going to be a teacher - and here I am all these years later doing my childhood dream. I qualified as an ECE teacher in 1999 and have spent many years working with both unders and overs. I love getting down to the child’s level and seeing the world from their eyes, it truly is a magical place.
Away from work I enjoy gardening, being outside and going horse riding. During winter you will find me on the sideline watching my nephews and nieces playing rugby and league. I am looking forward to my adventure here, and am excited to share this journey with all your beautiful tamariki.
Zara Hanlon
Registered Teacher
I’m Zara, I was born in Whanganui but moved up to Ngunguru as a child, and feel very lucky to have a place called home by the ocean.
I became a qualified Early Childhood kaiako in 2023. I enjoy working alongside tamariki and helping them grow into confident, and competent lifelong learners.
I believe in caring for each other and sharing kindness (Manaakitanga), forming relationships with whānau (whanaungatanga) and caring and respecting our environment (Kaitiakitanga). When I am not working, I enjoy going to the beach, spending time with my whānau and friends, having fun or being at the gym.
Thinley Choezom
Registered Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Thinley Choezom, I am originally from Tibet and have been in New Zealand since 2009. I am a mother of two daughters and we live in Te Kamo. I completed my Bachelor of Teaching ECE through Open Polytechnic NZ in 2021 and gained my teacher registration in 2024. I look forward to building relationships with all of the tamariki and whānau, and supporting children’s learning by engaging and interacting with them. I love children and love to see them learn and develop, and I respect and value each child as an individual. I am excited to learn and gain experience from experienced Kaiako and get to know all your little ones and their whānau.
Bree Kessell
Teacher in Training
Kia ora whānau, I’m Northland born and bred and I'm proud of it. Outside of mahi I love going to the beach or fishing on a sunny day and will play a game of golf in sunshine or rain. I come from a very big whānau who are very close, so I enjoy spending lots of time with them and my friends.
I never saw myself as a kaiako when I was younger, but my interest in teaching tamariki grew as all my cousins started to have their own pēpi, providing me the opportunity to fall in love with this career. This year I will be in my second year of studying for my Bachelor of teaching degree, majoring in ECE, providing me with valuable skills and knowledge to grow and adapt as a kaiako while caring for your tamariki.
Feel free to come say hello, I'm excited to continue getting to know you all.
Danny Stewart
Teacher in Training
Kia ora Educare whānau, my name is Danny and I have just recently started here at Totara Park. I am really enjoying working here and being around the tamariki helping them all to grow, learn and evolve as young people. Seeing them each day and watching them as they learn new things, share with their friends, laugh and play is really incredible. I have already made some amazing relationships with the tamariki and staff within the short amount of time I have been here.
If you see me floating around and hanging out with the tamariki don’t be shy to come and say hello.
Shehara Peiris
Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Shehara, I am from Sri Lanka, and my husband and I moved to New Zealand in 2020.
I have recently completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and feel grateful to be on this journey with Educare Totara Park. I am passionate about creating spaces where tamariki feel a strong sense of belonging, are nurtured, and can explore with curiosity, courage, and playfulness. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring new places, and relaxing with a good movie.
Jamie Rapana
Teacher
Kia ora,
Growing up in Whangarei, I’ve always loved being surrounded by my friends and whānau. In my spare time, you’ll often find me heading out for a trip to the beach, going out on the boat, or spending time together.
In June 2025, I began my journey at Educare, where I’ve had the opportunity to learn new skills and grow both personally and professionally. Since starting, I’ve built strong and meaningful relationships with tamariki, kaiako, and whānau, and it has helped me realise that this is the career path I want to follow.
This year, I have started my Bachelor’s degree, majoring in ECE. I am incredibly excited for what lies ahead and can’t wait to continue expanding my knowledge and growing as a kaiako.
Please feel free to come and say hi, I’d love to get to know you all!
Holly Archibald
Administrator
Kia ora koutou, I'm Holly, and my role is to support multiple managers and their teams while working at different Educare centres each day.
I have 2 sons who love their sport, so when I'm not cheering them on from the sidelines I also enjoy getting out for walks, hikes and a bit of fishing too.
I really enjoy working in the childcare industry and am more than happy to help with any enrolment forms/applications or queries. I look forward to getting to know all the tamariki and their whānau too.
