About Us

Alcyon Komene

Kia Ora my name is Alcyon  and I am the centre owner and am also a passionate teacher at Manaaki.  I am a registered teacher and have a Graduate Diploma in Teacher (ECE) and have a Bachelor Degree in social services and have been teaching for 15 years. I have 3 daughters, Zo my eldest is also a teacher at Manaaki. Opening a centre has been my dream and as Kerikeri is my hometown, it is even more special to me having a centre here.  

I am passionate about giving our tamariki the best possible start in life alongside their matua (parents) by providing a quality centre with an environment that tamariki and whanau become completely at home in. My awareness and intuitiveness help me in supporting matua on their journey as well as tamariki. Whanaungatanga (building strong relationships) is of the utmost importance to me, providing the foundation of connection and learning. This gives tamariki a sense of belonging and knowing we are here for them on all levels and for matua (parents) a belief that their tamariki are safe, secure, happy and ready to learn at Manaaki.   My core values are Tika (doing what is right), Pono (being open and honest) and Aroha (pure love, empathy and respect).

This is reflected in all I do and are important attributes to have as a teacher, team leader and mentor. My teaching practise is underpinned by The RIE philosophy (deep respect) and primary caregiving. 

Zo Komene-Campbell

Kia Ora, I am Zo and I work alongside our over 3’s children in the Kahikatea Room. I am locally grown, born and raised in Kerikeri my whole life. I have worked in the ECE sector for 10 years and with all age groups. Respect heavily underpins my teaching philosophy, and I believe all children are entitled to respect, love and understanding. I am very creative and have a big love for art and music. I enjoy giving children new art experiences and seeing their natural creativity bloom. I also love nature and am big on taking tamariki for adventures in the paddock and woods to explore and make discoveries.

Alongside that I am a lover of all living things, especially insects and bugs and enjoy role modelling that to tamariki, too. I love nature and feel it is vital to the soul to be immersed in it and connected with Papatuanuku every day. “Children more than ever need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping, and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.” David Sobel

Dani Price

Kia ora my name is Dani Price and I'm a fully registered teacher with 10 years of teaching experience. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education as well as a Postgraduate Honours Degree in Science and Maths teaching. I spent the early years of my teaching career with intermediate and high school students. After moving to Northland four years ago, I also made the year level move to primary school teaching. Last year I had my first baby, which led me to ECE teaching as a way to stay connected to the teaching sector and stay close to my baby. 

I am passionate about teaching and learning, especially through play and science. I love to see tamariki learning through their passions and in a way that is fun and interesting for them. The move to Early Childhood Education has been really enjoyable, and I've learned lots already. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside the amazing tamariki at Manaaki. 

Trish Kerr

My name is Trish Kerr, I started working at Manaaki Childcare in March 2023. I have worked in early childhood education for many years and I am enjoying being a part of an awesome team at Manaaki. I have 5 grown up children who we raised in Kerikeri and 18 gorgeous gifts, my grandchildren.

I have had the pleasure of teaching lots of children in our community and watching them grow up into young adults. I have also had the opportunity to care for some of their babies. I am looking forward to my future at Manaaki.

Susan Harrison

Kia ora, my name is Susan Harrison and I am a third year student completing my Bachelor degree in Early childhood education and I am a kaiako in the Kowhai Room.

Teaching is a profession that is in my family, with my mother being a New Entrant school teacher. I always loved helping out with setting up her classroom and supporting her learning programmes at various times. These experiences were a huge motivation for me to pursue a career in early childhood education.

I believe in the importance of whanaungatanga as a key ingredient to a successful learning environment for tamariki. Through building responsive, reciprocal relationships between kaiako, tamariki and their whānau, a sense of inclusion and belonging is achieved. All tamariki are unique, and I always strive to uphold their individuality within their learning journey. Through guiding, nurturing, and supporting, I hope to assist tamariki in becoming capable, confident, life long learners.
 

Sarah White

I call the beautiful Kerikeri community my home along with my partner and two children. I came to New Zealand from Canada by sailboat in 2020. I completed a master's degree in Early childhood studies, and was a registered Early Childhood Teacher in Canada. When I came to New Zealand I trained as a primary school teacher, completing my Post Graduate Diploma of Education through Waikato University. I have previously been a kindergarten teacher in Canada and run various programs for children including outdoor education and art classes, and even did policy work for the BC Ministry of Education. I am blessed to be able to bring my experience and passion to the work I do here at Manaaki. 

Olivia Shirley-Thomson

Kia Ora, my name is Olivia Shirley-Thomson and I am one of the Kaiako situated in the Pohutukawa Room.

I have a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and am provisionally registered with atleast 8 years of teaching experience and have a 4 year old daughter of my own. I have always had a strong passion working with our tamariki and this is seen through my respectful and caring practice.

I see each child as an individual and always give my time for meaningful interactions, being able to teach and learn from the child and their whanau through strong relationships. You will often find me exploring art, messy play and being outdoors challenging physical development with our tamariki. I look forward to developing these relationships further over my time here and thank you for letting me be apart of your child's learning and development journey.

Natalie Conner

Kia ora, ko Nat taku ingoa.

My whanau have been in Kerikeri for over 40 years and I moved here with my daughter 7 years ago so she could be closer to them. Working with tamariki has been my passion since I can remember. I gained my Bachelors in Teaching (ECE) over a decade ago and have worked with all ages throughout Aotearoa and in the U.K for over 20 years, but here at Manaaki you will find me in the Kahikatea ruma teaching our 3-5 year olds.

I believe it is a privilege to be a kaiako.  I have an innate intuitive ability to relate to people and I am passionate about the rights of ALL tamariki.  I believe it is my role to provide a nurturing, safe, inspiring, supportive and inclusive environment to enable tamariki to be empowered to be confident and competent learners, secure in their identity, independence, mātauranga, strengths, along with a true sense of belonging. I value the importance of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga through my development of respectful, trusting, supportive relationships with all participants of the centre’s community as essential to the foundation of holistic and successful early childhood education. I am also passionate about and committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo and tikanga Māori.

Casey Perrin

Early Childhood but have also been working in ECE for 11 years. Kids make up most corners of my life even outside of work I spend most of my time running around with my own family or volunteering at the primary school.  I have always been "motherly" and after having my own kids fell naturally into ECE. I have worked with all ages but my passion is infants watching them explore and experience new things is just so pure.

“Let your children see you have fun. Sprinkle it in whenever you can; Sing while stuck in traffic, Dance while cleaning the kitchen. Fun doesn’t have to be reserved for weekends and vacations. Show your children how to enjoy life even in the mundane routines; they’ll watch, they’ll learn and do the same.” Erin Morrison

Vanessa Wilkinson

Kia ora, my name is Vanessa and I am one of the Kaiako in the Pohutukawa Room. Although I am not fully qualified in New Zealand I hold my Australia Diploma in Early Childhood and I am also a qualified Nanny. I have over 10 years experience working with children of different ages. I have worked as a Nanny, Teacher Aide, Youth Mentor, Early Childhood Teacher and Camp Counselor in America.

I joined Manaaki in 2024 and felt right at home. My personal philosophy and beliefs align with what Manaaki is all about. I love to be creative and I am passionate about embedding art into our daily routine. Art fosters creative expression and showcases each child’s individuality. I am looking forward to working alongside such an amazing team and fostering the growth and development of our beautiful tamariki here at Manaaki.