Our People
![Anne.jpg](/media/5821/anne.jpg?width=320&height=220&rnd=131983353202030000)
Anne Valeli, Centre Manager
How long have you been involved in early childhood?
I’ve been teaching for over 20 years – in fact I’ve taught children that are now teachers themselves! We plant the seeds that get children ready for the next phase of their learning journey – going off to primary school. We give them confidence and build their capabilities, so they are able to conquer this world and be proud of who they are.
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Shamiza Nisha, Head Teacher - Pukeko Room
Shamiza Nisha Head Teacher - Pukeko Room
Salam, Bula And Kia Ora Whanau,
My name is Shamiza and I am the Head Teacher in the Pukeko Room. I am originally from the beautiful islands of Fiji and have completed my education here in New Zealand with a Bachelor of Education for Early Childhood Teaching. I am a fully registered teacher with over 10 years of work experience in ECE. I absolutely love working with children and supporting them through their early life learning and development.
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Ripeka Marshall, ECE Teacher - Fantail Room
Kia Ora,
My name is Ripeka and I'm excited to be here with our amazing team at Learning Adventures. I have been in the ECE industry for about 4 years. I believe in quality care being the essential key to further children's education and therefore becoming an early childhood teacher in training affirmed my decision to advocate for our younger generation. I have my national certificate Level 3 in Early Childhood Education and am currently in the process of further studying while working.
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Nikhita Chandra, ECE Teacher - Pukeko Room
Namaste, Talofa Lava and Kia Ora Whanau,
Hi, my name is Nikhita and I am a qualified teacher in the Pukeko Room. I have a Bachelor in Teaching (ECE) and have been in the industry for around 6 years, currently working towards my full registration. I love working alongside my little friends and helping them foster in their learning and development.
Fun Fact: I love travelling and exploring new places.
![Katokakala Tu'uholoaki.jpeg](/media/12893/katokakala-tuuholoaki.jpeg?rxy=0.44833333333333331,0.4225&width=320&height=220&rnd=133125426995430000)
Katokakala Tu'uholoaki, Head Teacher - Fantail Room
Malo e lelei,
My name is Kato and I am the head teacher in the Fantail room. I have completed my Bachelor in Education (ECE) and am currently working towards my full registration. I have many years of teaching experience from back in my country, in Tonga as well as from here in New Zealand. I enjoy facilitating and creating fun opportunities for my young learners helping them set a strong foundation for their further pathways.
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Peta Motuliki, ECE Teacher - Pukeko Room
Malo e lelei,
My name is Peta and I have been with the Learning Adventures family (Airport Oaks) since May 2022. I am currently a Kaiako in the Pukeko Room working with toddlers. I enjoy being a part of our children's learning journey through fun adventures and exploration.
Fun Fact: I wanted to become a cop but somehow ended up in ECE and now I am enjoying it!
![Anamanu Lolohea.jpeg](/media/12895/anamanu-lolohea.jpeg?rxy=0.49833333333333335,0.405&width=320&height=220&rnd=133125429202600000)
Anamanu Lolohea, ECE Teacher in Training - The LIttle Kiwi Room
Malo e lelei,
I am Whaea Ana and I have been a part of the education industry for 5 years. My passion for teaching the younger generation has influenced my career pathway and I am now a teacher in training, studying for my Bachelor of Teaching. I am excited to work alongside all our Whanau and identify ideas to support the holistic development of all tamariki.
Fun Fact: I enjoy music and movement and love doing fitness exercises with my little friends.
![Rita Sharma.jpeg](/media/12897/rita-sharma.jpeg?rxy=0.48666666666666669,0.455&width=320&height=220&rnd=133125431854730000)
Rita Sharma, Van Driver
Namaste, Bula Vinaka
Hi, my name is Rita and I am the Van driver here at Learning Adventure Airport Oaks. I enjoy building special relationships with all the children and their families and helping them make connecting links from their homes to the centre. I also love supporting the teachers in caring for the children when I am at the Centre.
I would like to thank all the families for trusting me to safely pickup and drop off their children from their homes to the Centre. I am looking forward to meeting new families as well.
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Val, Centre Cook
Kia Ora,
My name is Val and I am the Centre Cook here at Learning Adventures Airport Oaks. I love being a part of the centre and absolutely enjoy cooking nutritious meals for the tamariki here. I enjoy having conversations with them from the kitchen and am honoured to a part of their healthy development.
I am also the afternoon Van Driver and I enjoy taking the tamariki to their homes during drop off times and meeting all their families. I am looking forward to meeting new families as they join in.
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Charmaine Davids , Van Driver
Hallo,
My name is Charmaine and I work here at Learning Adventures Airport Oaks as a part time Van Driver. I am originally from South Africa and moved to New Zealand many years ago. I love working alongside children and meeting new families. I look forward to meeting new children and their families along the way.
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Lilly Makakona, ECE teacher - Fantail Room
Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Kia Orana
Hi, my name is Lilly - I am currently in the Fantail Room working alongside our young pre-schoolers. I have been here at Learning Adventures for about 4 years now. I enjoy working with children supporting and guiding them through their early learning as well as offer them many opportunities to explore and be creative in their own way.
Fun Fact: I enjoy providing different cultural experiences to our tamariki.