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.

Gillian Chappell—Kaiwhakahaere

Bachelor of Teaching & Learning – Primary (Hons), Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood
Education, Post-Graduate Diploma in Leadership & Management

Kia Ora e te whānau, ko Gillian tōku ingoa. I love being part of this amazing teaching team at Karanga Mai. As kaiwhakahaere my focus is to help support a learning environment that celebrates every single akonga, young and old. To recognise their strengths and be proud of who they are. I love music, being creative and problem solving. Poipoia te kakano kia puawai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom.

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.

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.