Karanga Mai Kaimahi

Jacinta McInerney—Tūmuaki
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Kiaora e te whānau
Ko Jacinta McInerney tōku ingoa
It’s a privilege to be a leader, a learner, and a kaiako at Karanga Mai. I’ve been a proud member of this learning community for the past 17 years. I love it here, our commitment to tamariki and whānau, supporting the potential in all our learners, makes Karanga Mai a very special place to work.
Mauri ora ki a koutou.

Nat Hape—Kaiwhakahaere
Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood
Kia Ora e te whānau, ko Nat Hape tōku ingoa. I am proud to be unapologetically Māori and privileged to have had a hugely diverse, multicultural upbringing which has strengthened my awareness and understanding of others whom I have met on my learning journey. I am passionate about working with whānau for whānau – intergenerational teaching and learning.

Cydnee Reed—Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Kia ora, I’m Cydnee. I have been teaching at Karanga Mai for over twenty years. I live in Kaiapoi and tutor primary school students in the wider community. I am passionate about education and committed to lifelong learning with a particular zest for literacy, books, and pop culture. My teaching philosophy is centred on educating both the head and the heart along with values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga.

Chris McGowan—Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Ko Chris tōku ingoa. I am a mum to two young adults and we live in Otautahi. I have been at Karanga Mai for 8 years now and am passionate about teaching and learning alongside our tamariki and their whānau.

Amanda Anthony—Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
Kia Ora e te whānau. Ko Amanda tōku ingoa. I’m a māmā to three, Katie, Sophie and Emmi. We live in Ōtautahi together. I’ve been a kaiako here at Karanga Mai for the past 8 years or so. I love learning alongside tamariki, they remind me that growing up is a trap…“If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child we would see the magic in everything.”

Jo Anderson—Kaiako/Van Support
C.A.C.H.E Level 2 Certificate in Childcare and Education
Kia ora, my name is Jo, I am from Essex in the UK and have been living in New Zealand since 2007. I am married and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. I have a certificate in Childcare and Early years education from the UK. I feel very privileged to be a kaiako here at Karanga Mai and have worked here for 12 years.

Debbie Donald—Kaiako Kairīwhi
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Kia ora koutou, my name is Debbie Donald. I live in Balcairn, North Canterbury on my husband’s family farm and have two grown up daughters. I am a reliever here at Karanga Mai and have worked as a Play Centre Supervisor. As an Education Support I worked supporting tamariki with high needs. I am currently studying towards my Masters of education with an endorsement for inclusive and special education.

Anna Tuhaka—Kaiako Kairīwhi
Master of Arts Degree
Kia ora. My name is Anna-Kaisa Tuhaka. I work here at Karanga Mai most days as a reliever to provide assistance and support to our kaiako. I live in Kaiapoi with my husband Steve and together we have three grown up sons. My background is in teaching, having taught in the UK and in my home country Finland. “He waka e noa”. We’re all in this together.

Sue Grindley—Kairuruku
Office Administrator
Kia ora my name is Sue, I am originally from UK, we moved here in 2005 and I feel lucky to now call New Zealand my home. I have two daughters and also now a grandson.
I have worked at Community Wellbeing for 4½ years now, and have been here at Karanga Mai for just over a year. I feel very fortunate to support an amazing team who are so passionate about the tamariki and their whānau.

Louise Beckingsale—Kaiako Kairīwhi
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
(Early Childhood)
Kia ora, my name is Louise Beckingsale, I am a regular reliever here at Karanga Mai.
I have been fortunate enough to have had a variety of roles within the industry, which has allowed me to strengthen my practice and continue to develop my passion for the early years. I am passionate about creating meaningful relationships with the tamariki and their whānau and providing a nurturing and respectful learning environment for all. I look forward to watching your tamariki’s journey unfold during their time here at Karanga Mai.

Johanna Tawharu —Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Kia Ora e te whānau. Ko Johanna tōku ingoa. I’m a māmā of three, Bailee, Asher and Teddy. We live in Kaiapoi with my awesome tane Karl. I am a new kaiako here at Karanga Mai and look forward to building whanaungatanga with tamariki, whānau, kaiako and community members. I am passionate about normalising Te Reo Māori and tīkanga practices for all tamariki and have a creative flair that I love to share through the arts with tamariki.

Bethany Heaney-Greaves—Ringawera/Cook
Kia ora, my name is Beth. I studied at Karanga Mai from 2015-2018 and now I am fortunate to be one of the ringawera/cooks for the Early Learning Centre. I have two young children, Maddison and Lachlyn. We enjoy spending time with our friends and family.

Eli McInerney —Ringawera/Cook
Kia ora koutou, ko Eli tōku ingoa.
My role at Karanga Mai is as one of two ringawera/cooks. I enjoy providing nutritious kai for our tamariki and am interested in improving outcomes for all through the sharing of kai and kōrero.
I am proud to be Marlon’s māmā and Jacinta’s (Tumuaki here at Karanga Mai) daughter.
In my time away from work I enjoy spending time with my whānau, tramping, cooking, and listening to music.
Contact details Whakapā mai
Phone
03 327 8315
Visit us
Robert Coup Rd, Kaiapoi
After hours emergency contact:
Jacinta McInerney
027 8165388
Nat Hape
027 2658357