Selena Newman
Selena holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) and is a fully registered teacher with extensive experience in the early childhood sector since 2000. She took a brief hiatus to raise her two boys, but her passion for early childhood education has always been at the core of her career. Selena is dedicated to fostering developmental growth and providing quality learning experiences for young children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her husband, two boys, and twin sister.
Selena oversees the curriculum at Pīwaka supporting the Team Leaders and spends 3 days a week in Muriwai room.
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Simon Baker
Simon holds a B Ed Early Childhood and is a fully registered teacher. Simon grew up in Whāngarei. He enjoys spending his weekends going to the beach or spending time with family and friends. Having fun is a priority in ECE and Simon makes sure that the children always have a smile on their face and have something new to share with their whānau after a day full of learning and playing.
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Priyanka Poulton
Priyanka holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Laws. Originally from Dunedin, she recently relocated to Auckland. Her passion for early childhood education began while studying Developmental Psychology at university. Priyanka understands that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life have a profound impact on their development, which is why she’s so excited to be working at Pīwaka. Priyanka enjoys dancing and Pilates as a way to recharge. She also makes regular trips to Sydney to spend quality time with her whānau.
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Ashna Deo
Ashna holds Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and Post Grad Diploma in Education and is a fully registered teacher having worked in the sector for over 10 years. Ashna is from the beautiful Island of Fiji and moved to Aotearoa New Zealand when she was 15 and is now proud to call New Zealand her home.
Ashna lives in Henderson Valley with her husband and cat Pumba. She enjoys spending time with her family, baking, cooking, painting and gardening in her spare time.
Ashna’s passion for teaching and learning started when she was taking care of her younger brothers. Ashna believes in creating a great sense of belonging for herself, the tamariki and their whānau, by building respectful and reciprocal relationships.
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Pam Suliafu
Pam holds Bachelor of Teaching ECE and is a fully registered teacher with over 9 years of experience. As a kaiako Pam values working in partnership with whānau to support and nurture the uniqueness of all children.
In her free time Pam collaborates with Oranga Tamariki as a respite caregiver, focusing on assisting children in foster care with additional needs.
Pam is currently on a journey to learn NZSL and absolutely loves it.
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Fazina Asad
Fazina gained her Bachelors of Teaching in 2023, where she was awarded ‘Senior Scholar’ by Unitec University. She lives locally in New Lynn with her daughter Maryam and her mum. In her spare time Fazina loves travelling with her daughter and reading books. Fazina is from Fiji. She is currently studying towards her Masters in Education.
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