Staff Team

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

Teacher Registration: Full #263507

Who am I? I’m a proud Iranian woman, born and raised in Shiraz, the city of poetry and love. I’m a mum, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunty, a colleague, and a friend. I moved to New Zealand with my family when I was 14 and had to learn the language and adapt to a new culture. I speak both Farsi and English.

The Story Behind My Name: My Persian name, Elham, means "inspiration" or "revelation". I was named by my aunty, to whom I am very close. The name represents the connection we share and carries the meaning of being a source of inspiration and enlightenment in life.

Some Of My Core Values and Cultural Practices: Growing up in the Middle East has taught me the values of family, community, and the importance of respectful practice through love, nurture, trust, kindness, empathy, communication, and collaboration. These values are central to who I am and shape the way I interact with others. In Iranian culture, family is the heart of everything, and we place great importance on togetherness, hospitality, generosity, and respect. We value connection and kindness and celebrate both ordinary and special occasions with joy, and poetry and music are deeply embedded in our lives. I also carry with me the sense of community and the belief in working together to achieve a common goal.

What Does Cultural Identity Mean to Me in My Work with Children and Families: I believe in fostering relationships where families can share their traditions, and children are encouraged to explore and celebrate their own identity and heritage.

My Teaching Experiences & Philosophy: I have been involved in early childhood education since 2000, and my philosophy is centred around providing a safe, caring, peaceful, authentic, and beautiful environment where children can engage in play and learn through their own free will. I believe respectful and loving relationships are the foundation to everything, and I feel privileged to be part of the lives of the children at Aro Arataki.

My Favourite Children’s Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
My Personal Details: I’m married to my wonderful husband, who is Fijian Chinese, and we have three children: Kian, Seona, and Reza. We love traveling, and spending time with our family and friends.

I was born in Auckland but lived in Dunedin for my first 7 years.  Moved to Hamilton until age of 15 then back to Auckland. I have a brother, Gary, and a sister, Christine.  Both have 2 children who have 2 children and all live in AucklandJ.  I am married, have 1 step-daughter and 2 grandchildren, aged 4 and 21, who live in Australia.

I began a career in the tourism industry when I was working in London during my OE aged 19/20 and stayed in that industry for 25 years, even learning to drive a tourist coach (bus).

After being made redundant I was “coerced” into helping a friend, our beloved original Centre Director, Helen, for 3 weeks in the office. 3 weeks became 1 year and because I love my job it has become almost another career spanning 25 years.

Masters of Education, Post Graduate Diploma in Education,

Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership (ECE), Diploma in Teaching (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Full #217457

My name is Janet Malcolm and I have been teaching since 1987. I am passionate about providing quality care and education for infants, toddlers and young children.  

I feel privileged to be involved in the education and care of infants and toddlers especially, witnessing the awe and wonder they have and their innate drive to learn about their world. 

As a Leader my working style is collaborative and inclusive, and I like to create an environment where people are inspired to do their best.  Engaging in respectful relationships with children, whanau and the teaching team is at the heart of my teaching. 

I place a lot of importance on the freedom to play, assessing and taking risks, and being in the outdoors. For several years I have worked at Manukau Institute of Technology as a Senior Lecturer, teaching on their diploma and degree programmes but I am excited to be working again with children and their families.  

  My interests include spending time with family; travelling; nature; walking; reading and following Liverpool football club.

Bachelor of Business Administration

Certificate in Financial Accounting

Diploma in Travel and Tourism

I was born and brought up in India, in a big family of many uncles, aunties and cousins.  I have a brother who currently resides in Australia. I have been in New Zealand since 2007. I live with my husband and son. I speak English, Malayalam and Tamil.

I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 2008. I chose this profession because I am passionate about working with young children to encourage and support them in their learning and development.

I believe that there are four important values in life: Love, respect, honesty and trust.

I am proud to be a part of Aro Arataki whaanau.

Hello, my name is Maria. I am married and I am blessed to have two lovely daughters named Sarah and Joy and we have our adorable dog named Teddy.

I am originally from Philippines. My family enjoy travelling and camping. I am a Christian and I love going to church to fellowship with my friends.

I love to be with children, helping them grow and flourish and be a part of their early lives.

Qualified Teacher

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Teacher Registration: Provisional #

Who Am I? 
I was born and grew up in Changsha in south-central China—a city full of history, famous for its spicy food and lively nightlife. At 17, I moved to the UK to study and spent over five years there before returning to China. In 2023, I moved to Auckland, where I’ve really enjoyed settling in and now feel at home. I speak both Mandarin Chinese and English. 

The Story Behind My Name 
My name, Fei, is a shorter version of my full name, HongFei. In Chinese, “Hong” means “vast and deep, clear water,” and “Fei” means “drizzle.” Together, they reflect ideas of openness, clarity, gentleness, and nourishment. 

Some of My Core Values and Cultural Practices 
In Chinese culture, there is a strong focus on balance, learning from the past, and valuing relationships. The Confucian values of respect (孝), harmony (和), and kindness (仁) shape the way I interact with others. Family, education, and perseverance are highly valued, and learning is seen as a lifelong journey. Parents and teachers are important role models, helping to pass on values such as diligence, humility, and respect for others. These principles influence how I build relationships and support the learning and growth of young children. 

What Cultural Identity Means to Me in My Work with Children and Families 
Cultural identity is central to my teaching, as it shapes how I connect with children and families. I am proud to bring my culture into the learning environment and aim to create an inclusive space where diverse backgrounds are valued and children feel proud of their heritage. 

My Teaching Experience & Philosophy 
I’ve taught English to a wide range of learners and spent more than three years teaching children in China. Since moving to New Zealand, I’ve been studying and working in early childhood education. My educational philosophy centres on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children’s mana is enhanced, and they can flourish. I deeply value families and the diverse cultural backgrounds they bring, and I strive to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with them. 

My Favourite Children’s Book 
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 

Personal Details 
Most of my family lives in China, but I’ve built strong friendships in Auckland. Music is a big part of who I am—I love singing, playing the guitar, song writing, and sometimes performing at small gigs. I also enjoy reading, travelling, hiking, and practising yoga. 

Kia orana, I’m Jenny and a proud mother of 2 children. I was born and raised in West Auckland and have a large extended family, and many of my nephews and nieces love to spend the weekend at my house whenever they can! I am constantly busy!

As a family, we enjoy going on walks, hikes, beach days, barbecues, trying out new restaurants, road trips, and any other exciting and daring activity as a family.

In my alone time I like to go to the gym or paddling – I love the water!

Having worked with children for eight years, I love working alongside and learning with families and an incredible team to meet each child where they are, provide respectful care, and offer a tonne of exciting and engaging opportunities for development and learning.

I am excited to meet you and support your whanau through this amazing learning journey!

Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology and Women’s Studies)

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology), Master of Arts (Psychology)
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology,

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Full # 424918

Who am I? I was born here in New Zealand and was always proud to be the ‘Kiwi’ member of my English family. I lived in the UK in a small village in North Yorkshire between the ages of 9 and 13.

The Story Behind My Name: I’m told that my Dad had a dream that I was sick and died. Then he had a dream that he called me Sarah and I lived. So that’s why I’m called Sarah!

Some Of My Core Values and Cultural Practices: Kindness and respect are some of my core values, extending beyond people to animals, bugs, plants and non-living things.

What Does Cultural Identity Mean to Me in My Work with Children and Families: I am interested in building close relationships with the families I work with and seeking to understand different cultures. I am very open to families bringing their cultures into the centre and I’d like for all the children to feel safe and accepted in who they are.

My Teaching Experiences & Philosophy: Before my children were born I was a behaviour therapist/psychologist working with children with autism which involved teaching. I was a stay at home mum to my boys for 8 years and we attended Playcentre together for 6.5 years before training as a teacher. I am particularly drawn to the early years as children are developing and learning so fast! I believe that strong, respectful relationships between teachers (kaiako) and with children (tamariki) and their families (whānau) are essential. I like to think that whānau feel secure knowing that their tamariki are left in safe hands with us. I enjoy exploring the natural world, books, messy play and general exploration.   

My Favourite Children’s Book: All afloat on Noah’s boat by Tony Mitton

Personal Details: I have two beautiful boys, Jacob and Ethan, with my partner, Rob. They are all very sporty and keep me very busy! Ethan and Rob play badminton and Ethan loves football. Jacob and I practice Brazilian jiu jitsu and Jacob loves basketball. I enjoy being outside, art, reading, puzzles and games.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Provisional # 424421

Ni Sa Bula, Namaste, and Kia Ora Whanau.

My name is Ashika Lal, and I am from the beautiful Islands of Fiji.

I live in Mount Albert with my husband Reginald, my three children, and my family. I had been a full-time mum for almost nine years before venturing back into the workforce in the Healthcare sector.

I am enthusiastic and passionate about Early Childhood and fascinated by how quickly young minds develop. I am proud of my culture, and it brings me joy to share it; I yearn to understand and learn about the various cultures of the children and my colleagues. I feel fortunate to have been invited to join the Aro Arataki family so soon after completing my studies.

I firmly believe that the heart of teaching is establishing respectful relationships with the children, their families, and the Teaching Team. My teaching philosophy is centered around providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where our children and everyone involved in our workplace can thrive. As a teacher, I would love to empower our children to make their own decisions, guide them in their self-directed play and help them become independent learners.

I love sports (especially rugby), cooking, gardening, music, watching movies, shopping, and spending time with my family. I am very proud to be a part of Aro Arataki and cannot wait to get to know each of you!

Kia ora, my name is Mahsa and I’m from Iran. 

My passion and dedication for Early Childhood began over my two years of experience in the childcare and education sector back home.  I believe that the core foundation of working with children and their whānau is through love and respect.

In my spare time, I enjoy music, sports, and spending time with family, and friends.

I’m excited to start my journey here at Aro Arataki and I’m really looking forward to getting to know all the children and their families

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Full # 312969

Tene koe whanau

Ko Lisa Thrupp toku ingoa, my name is Lisa Thrupp.  I am a registered teacher in the Tui room.  I have been here at Aro Arataki children’s Centre since 2006 and have a degree in Early Childhood education.

When I am at home I have interests in ball room dancing, walking, music and reading a good book.

I believe that children learn through meaningful experiences and that they are capable and confident.  We need to give them the time and space and listen to what they are saying to understand who they are. 

To guide tamariki to become courageous and independent, but to have values that will help them to be a person with empathy, understanding and a happy individual.  To Model these to our tamariki is important to me as they need to see this before they know it.  I learn from tamariki as much as they learn from me and every day is a new day.

Hi my name is Jessie Major.  I started working as an ECE teacher in a small centre in Rotorua several years ago, then went to study teaching and graduated with a degree in 2016.  I have recently been teaching in Dubai and China then came back to New Zealand to be closer to family.

I have a passion for teaching and love seeing children learn.  I believe that for young children every experinece they have is a learning opportunity.

I look forward to getting to know you all at Aro Arataki Children's centre. 

Qualified teacher
Bachelor of Education (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Full # 350101

Kia ora whānau

I'm Brian Liu and I have been involved in Early Childhood education since 2014. I have a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland . 

I believe that each child is on a unique journey and I am here to support them in their beautiful journey. I am creative and love to stay active and I bring these passions into my teaching practice. I believe that the early years is an important time to nurture children's love of learning and to foster their overall well being . 

My first job as a kaiako was at Aro Arataki and I have worked here ever since. Aro Arataki has given me so much opportunity to grow as a teacher and I feel very privileged to be part of the lives of the children here. 

Outside of work, I love to travel New Zealand and internationally . I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like hiking ,cycling, and kayaking . The most challenging and wonderful thing I have done is kayaking 5 days in the Abel Tasman and visiting all the remote beaches. I am excited to teach at Aro Arataki and look forward to getting to know our children and their whānau. 

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Education

Kia ora, my name is Ismat Raja. I have been living in New Zealand with my husband and three lovely children since 2011. I completed my Bachelor of Science and Education from overseas, and since then I have been working with children of all ages in primary and high school.

When I moved to New Zealand I worked as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher and worked with children of age 0-5 years. I am very excited to be part of the teaching team at Aro Arataki.

To teach and observe children’s learning journey is a privilege for me. My many years of teaching experience has helped me develop a set of beliefs about how I can best help children learn and grow in the most important years of their life.

The strong responsive relationships are fundamental to children’s learning and development. They provide a secure base that helps children feel safe and confident to try new things. I believe that each child has their own way of doing and learning things and making sense of the world around them.

I look forward to getting to know all the children and their families at Aro Arataki. I am excited to see children embark on their learning journey, expand their capacities and deepen their knowledge in their own unique ways.

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE), Bachelor of Accounting, Master of Management (Marketing). Teacher Registration: Full #418534

Who am I? I am Howard Wang, born and raised in China. I moved to New Zealand in 2016, and since then, this journey of adapting to a new culture and embracing new experiences has shaped me into the person and kaiako I am today. I speak both Mandarin and English, and I enjoy sharing my cultural heritage with the people and children around me.

The Story Behind My Name: My English name, Howard, comes from the pronunciation of my Chinese name, Hao, and has accompanied me throughout my life as I travelled, studied, and eventually settled in Aotearoa. My full Chinese name, Zihao, holds a special meaning for my family. The character "Hao" means vast and grand, like the ocean, symbolising my family's hope for me to have a broad mind and a kind heart in life.

Some of My Core Values and Cultural Practices: Growing up in China taught me the importance of respect, hard work, perseverance, and, above all, family. In Chinese culture, we hold deep respect for elders and place great value on supporting and caring for one another. Art and music were a big part of my childhood and still play a meaningful role in my life today. I also cherish our cultural celebrations, which are special times for family reunions, and enjoying festive traditions together. These values influence the way I work with tamariki and whānau — with kindness, care, and respect.

What Does Cultural Identity Mean to Me in My Work with Children and Families: I believe every child should be empowered to express who they are and where they come from. My goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where tamariki and their whānau feel valued, respected, and comfortable to share their stories, language, and cultural traditions. I hope to foster a space where cultural identity is celebrated.

My Teaching Experiences & Philosophy: I started my teaching career in 2021. My teaching philosophy is inspired by Te Whāriki and the Reggio Emilia approach. I believe play is a powerful and natural way for children to learn and grow holistically. I view tamariki as capable and confident learners, and I trust in their ability to explore, express themselves, and build knowledge in their own unique ways. I value strong, respectful relationships with tamariki.

My Favourite Children’s Book: Nee Naw, the Little Fire Engine

Personal Details: I have a deep love for music and enjoy playing the ukulele and violin. I also like playing volleyball, spending time at the gym, and hanging out with friends during my free time.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

Teacher Registration: Full # 186424

Talofa lava, I am Tausili Tauasosi.  I was born in Sapapalii Samoa, and I moved to NZ in 1984. I have three children, two boys, Lawrence and Siona Junior and a daughter, Ti.  My matua (parents) were my first ever (faiaoga) teachers endorsing into my life the importance of my Samoan language, culture, spirituality, faith and God. Samoan is my first language and I embrace this wholeheartedly. My matua’s life lessons have stuck with me right to this day. 

“A’oa’o ia I le tama e tusa ma lona ala, a o’o ina matua lava o ia, e le te’a ese ai” (Faataoto 22 f 6); Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it (Proverbs 22 f 6).

I became an Early Childhood kaiako because I have always loved children and from a young age wanted children of my own, so it seemed natural for me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.  I came to Aro Arataki as an experienced and registered teacher in 1994. I love working at Aro Arataki because it has a strong sense of community.  It has been a privilege getting to know so many families and whanau over the years and I have made some lifelong friends during my time here.  Getting to know the tamariki and their whanau is so rewarding and I strongly value the importance of relationships with children and their families. 

I love coming to Aro Arataki each day and being greeted with so many hugs and beautiful smiles. Our days are always filled with so much fun and excitement here.

Qualified Teacher

Bachelor of Teaching & Worldview Studies (BEd),

Teacher Registration: Full # 330663

Who am I? I’m a multi generation Pākehā with my father’s side hailing back to the arrival of the Bolton in Nelson on April 1840 (from England). My mother’s side however is somewhat elusive and I hope to uncover more about this side of my family heritage and history.

I grew up in the lower north island in small towns and learnt to find fun in the outdoors and enjoy working on nearby farms.  

The Story Behind My Name: My name originates from the Hebrew language meaning “God is my judge.” The name is well known as the Biblical character who displayed phenomenal dedication, faith, calmness, and being steadfast in times of upheaval and great danger. 

Some Of My Core Values and Cultural Practices: I’m a seeker of truth and try to maintain a curious and open mind-set whilst also being critical as I venture through the jungle of differing ideas, ideologies, worldviews, and perspectives.  

What Does Cultural Identity Mean to Me in My Work with Children and Families: As the proverb goes: “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata / "What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people!"

I firmly believe that people’s sense of belonging is deeply imbedded in their cultural identity and worldviews and ways of knowing and being.  

My Teaching Experiences & Philosophy: For years I was convinced I was going to end up in the RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) as I used to be an air cadet in the Air Training Corps (ATC) during high school. It was through my involvement in ATC that I got my first taste of being an educator and after I moved to Auckland in 2007 it wasn’t long after that I began my studies to become a primary school teacher. After several years of working as a primary teacher I ended up working in ECE and have never looked back!

I genuinely enjoy working with children and being able to foster curiosity, and a love for learning and expressing themselves and I find this to be a very fulfilling role for me.     

My Favourite Children’s Book(s): The Dragon Brother’s Trilogy (by James Russel)   

Personal Details: I’m married and live with my wife and our little ‘fur baby’ (our dog named ‘Obi’) in West Auckland. In my down time I enjoy playing airsoft (it’s like paintball), creating content, and reading.

Qualified teacher

Bachelor of Education (ECE)

Teacher Registration: Full #239924

Mingalabar, I am Myanmar (Burmese). My family migrated to New Zealand in January 1997, after living in Fiji Island for a few years.  My late husband and I have two adorable daughters, Thet and Kay.  We also own a dog named Lucy, a cross breed of Pomeranian and poodle. 

Since year 1999, I settled in the Early Childhood Education sector as a volunteer, student teacher and finally graduated full time teacher.  I enjoy building a strong, positive, responsive and reciprocal relationship with the parent/whanau, for the holistic development of the young children.

Aro Arataki is my second home since 2003.  I cherish being a part of the young children’s life-long learning and development.  Through tamariki’s learning experiences, I strive to support their knowledge and understanding about the world around them, how to love and care for the world, and how to become responsible citizens of the world.

Hi everyone! My name is Karen Yang and I am originally from Seoul, South Korea.

I live in Takapuna with my husband and we have two grown-up daughters who also live in Auckland. I have worked in the childcare industry for quite a few years as a chef and I have been loving it so far.

I love interacting with children of all ages and find it rewarding to know that the food I cook helps them get the nutrients and energy they need to grow and do what they enjoy doing.

Outside of work, I enjoy beach walks, cooking, gardening and spending time with my daughters. I am very excited to be a part of Aro Arataki and get to know everyone better in time!