Kia ora, I'm Harriet

I am the team leader at Āwhina pepi. My philosophy is grounded in respectful care, nurturing strong and meaningful relationships with pēpi and whānau. I believe in creating a safe, supportive, and loving environment that feels like a home away from home. Where every child feels valued, secure, and empowered to grow and learn at their own pace.

Outside of my teaching role, I'm a wife and mum to three wonderful children. I love spending quality time with my whānau and understand deeply the trust families place in us as educators. I’m passionate about working alongside families to support each child’s unique journey.

To all the pepi, parents, whānau and practitioners at Awhina Pepi I would like to introduce myself.

Being at Āwhina has given me new insights into caring for little ones from a different perspective, one which truly gives respect to the child and his/her unique path of development.”

My name is Susan Bush. I graduated with Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/ New Zealand Childcare Association Diploma of Teaching (ECE) in 2011 and I am a fully registered practitioner. I worked at Awhina Childcare in Havelock North for 15 years and am fully experienced from the Steiner perspective.

I live in Napier with my amazing partner Paul and we both have 10 grandchildren between us. It is a privilege to return to the Early Childhood sector at Awhina Pepi, as I followed my heart where I belong in my life-long journey.

As a caring role model, I bring my gifts of gesture through the doing and protecting the young child, allowing the child to learn. It allows the child opportunities to develop at their own pace through imitation of myself.

I value working as a part of a team to provide high quality and care that requires respect for the strength and skills the team has offered.

Thought establishes an environment in a safe, trustworthy, caring, nurturing, and inviting, through the festival, event, puppet plays, ritual, and rhythm and the four seasons.

My special interest includes motifs through the season as well as art and craft and creative imaginative plays with the children.

I am so happy to be back working with these little Pepi, “Where I belong”

Kia ora, my name is Denise, and I am so excited to be joining the Rockmybaby team. I have been working within early childhood education for about 25 years and I believe building positive and trusting relationships is at the heart of teaching. My passion is to make the centre that I teach at feel like a home away from home, with calm unhurried routines and beautiful homely touches, I am so looking forward to getting to know each of you and your tamariki. I live in Havelock with my partner and I have four children and four grandchildren. In my spare time I enjoy catching up with friends and spending time with my family. Please feel free to come and have a chat.

Aroha hui.

Kia ora,

My name is Nicole. and I am the Cook/ECE support person at Awhina Pepi. I have 8 years of experience in early childcare and am passionate about creating a living and nurturing environment for our Tamariki.

Over the last six months I have completed a certificate in nutrition, where I have enhanced my skills in creating nourishing meals. which help to support healthy growth and development.

I am a proud mum of two wonderful kids, and wife to an amazing husband. Our little family keeps life full of joy, laughter, and plenty of adventures. Whether it’s cooking up a storm, exploring the outdoors, or just enjoying quality time together.

My name is Dhana and I am a Sri Lankan national. I am one of three members of my family. My husband is an electrical engineer employed by UNISON. We relocated to New Zealand in December 2023 and hold resident visas. My son attends HNI.

My passion is teaching, and I have ten years of experience in the field, including seven years of early childhood education and three years of Japanese language teaching.

I lived in Japan for six years, where I studied the Japanese language. I was a preschool sectional head at a school in Sri Lanka. I genuinely enjoy working with children.

In my free time, I enjoy dancing, listening to music, and gardening. I also appreciate travelling and trying various cuisines. I value my individuality.

As a teacher, my aim is to cultivate skilled and emotionally well-adjusted children who contribute to society.

Kia ora koutou!

Ko Jess tōku ingoa.

I have a strong belief in providing tamariki a safe, secure and loving environment to grow, learn and flourish at their own pace. My philosophy is centred on building strong relationships and fostering trust as I believe these are the essential foundations for meaningful learning and exploration for our tamariki.

I am a fully qualified teacher in both Early Childhood Education and Primary Teaching. I have spent most of my career working with tamariki and have a passion for education and supporting each tamaiti and their whānau in their own learning journey. Outside of teaching, I have grown up in Hawkes Bay and have a love for our taiao (environment) and spending time outdoors - especially fishing or being anywhere by the moana. I strongly value time with my whānau, and love getting to know the whānau we have here at Āwhina Pēpi.

Ngā mihi,

Jess.

Kia Ora, my name is Pippa. I joined Awhina in October 2025. 

I was born and bred in Hawkes Bay leaving for university in Palmerston North and then to Auckland for job opportunities where I lived for around 15 years before returning home in 2021. I live with my husband and son in Heretaunga/Hastings. 

I hold a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Years 0-8 years old and have around eight years’ experience in early childhood education, much of it in a leadership role where I cared for infants and toddlers creating nurturing, developmentally supportive environments. I left the education sector where my career path branched out into recruitment and alumni relations at the secondary school level which further developed my relationship building skills and understanding of lifelong learning pathways. Now I am back to my passion and join the Awhina team as a Kaiako/Teacher.

My teaching philosophy draws on some of the principles of Emmi Pikler, Montessori and Rudolf Steiner. I believe in being attuned to each individual child and "finding their magic" their Wairua, supporting physical development in an unhurried way and fostering intrinsic motivation through the adventures children choose for themselves. I feel it's important to nurture an appreciation for our natural world and encourage children's sense of wonder and joy in both small and big things. Above all I believe that when a child feels safe, they are free to learn more, explore more and flourish!