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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Aina Talavou
Aina joins Te Henga as a permanent teacher, having relieved at Pīwaka for over 3 years mainly in the younger room. Aina has 6 siblings and is the middle child. She is also an aunty to three cheeky and enthusiastic nephews and one beautiful niece. In her free time she plays with her nephews and niece and cares for them while their parents would have a day to themselves, or you would find her hiking with her best friends at a random place or reading.
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Francis Loto-Nafo’i
Francis holds a B ED Early Education and has been with us at Pīwaka in the Te Henga room since 2016. She is currently provisionally registered. Francis enjoys spending quality time with her family especially her nieces and nephews and going to CrossFit. Francis is very proud of her Samoan heritage and believes that 3 values of being Samoan which is fa’aaloalo (respect) tautua (service) and alofa (love) have moulded her into the teacher she is today.
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Esther Cama
Esther is a gentle compassionate teacher with over 5 years working with children. Esther loves playing instruments, helping her family whenever she can and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
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Eva He
Eva is originally from China, where her family and husband currently reside. She has been in NZ for 5 years. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering, and a Master of Arts, and graduated with a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood in 2021. Eva believes each child is unique and she wishes them to experience joy and fulfilment. In her spare time, Eva enjoys watching movies, travelling, and eating!
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Kilisi Palu
Kilisi holds a B Ed Early Childhood and loves working with this age group. She is an active member of her church and the Tongan community.
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Marnie Hughes
Marnie completed her Bachelor of Education specialising in ECE and is provisionally certificated. Marnie has a teenage daughter and has a keen interest in sport, especially hockey. She enjoys the outdoors and looks to transfer these interests in her everyday teaching practice.
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