Our Team
We believe in our team and know that they are the key to a great Early Learning Centre. A happy teaching team creates a wonderful environment for the tamariki - which is our number one priority. We would like to introduce them to you:
Management
ANGE
Manager
Ange is an outgoing and friendly person, and is a Mum to 3 lovely daughters. Ange has been in the Early Childhood sector for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of Centres including her own for 8 years.
Ange is very passionate and focused about providing the best possible care and education for the tamariki in our Centre. She knows that great kaiako are what makes a wonderful Centre and is focused on continuing to grow and develop our kaiako to be the best they can be. Working in partnership with parents is paramount to tamariki and their whānau having a strong sense of belonging to our Midcity Whānau, and Ange really enjoys building these important relationships.
Outside of work, Ange is a huge supporter of rugby and netball, enjoys photography and loves spending time with her family and her gorgeous dog.
Rito Kaiako
CHARISSE
Team Leader & Qualified Kaiako
Charisse has been passionate about Early Childhood for as long as she can remember. She finished her ECE Diploma at Waikato University after her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and English. Charisse loves working alongside the Rito kaiako to help support our tamariki in their development and she embraces the opportunity to be able to provide the love and cuddles they need while they are with us. Charisse is married and has two gorgeous children.
VENETIA
Qualified Kaiako
Venetia started working with tamariki in 2017, which ignited her passion and helped her decide to become a qualified teacher – she now has a Bachelor of Teaching ECE.
Venetia loves working alongside tamariki and creating an inclusive and respectful environment for them, as she believes that this encourages them to feel a strong sense of belonging.
Building reciprocal relationships with tamariki and their whānau is also important to her as she knows that this nurtures the tamariki to become confident and competent learners.
DONNA
Kaiako
Donna’s career has always been shaped by her passion for care and empathy towards others. After completing her nursing training, she travelled the world for several years, deepening her appreciation for diverse cultures and inspiring her to pursue a career in the performing arts. Now settled in New Zealand with her husband and three children, she transitioned into teaching, finding joy nurturing tamariki in educational and community settings. With a 16 year tenure as a Performing Arts teacher, Donna also managed her own Performing Arts Company. Seeking a more relaxed pace she shifted to relieving in ECC across Wellington and the Waiakto. Midcity was her absolute favourite due to the genuine warmth and dedication of Ange and the staff. Donna believes the early years are crucial for building a solid foundation for future learning. She approaches her role with love and compassion, committed to ensuring the tamariki thrive and blossom.
HOLLY
Qualified Kaiako
Holly has her Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about inclusive education with a strong focus on honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Maaori. She believes that when tamariki feel loved and supported they can accomplish anything. Holly recognises that infants are in a wonderful world of their own and is delighted to be included in their learning and development.
Ki te kore nga putake e mākukungia e kore te rakau e tupu – If the roots of the tree are not watered, the tree will not grow.
Māhuri Kaiako
JESSIE
Team Leader - Qualified Kaiako
Jessie has a Bachelor of Teaching in ECE. She is passionate about working with young tamariki and providing them with a safe, comforting environment where they can learn and develop at their own pace. Jessie enjoys teaching in Māhuri for the excitement and enthusiasm that toddlers bring to their learning and play.
MARINA
Qualified Kaiako
Marina is originally from Russia and has lived in New Zealand since 2002. She has a degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Human development – as well as a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the University of Waikato. Marina has been teaching since 2014, and loves being a part of our Midcity whānau.
Marina believes that whanaungatanga (relationships) are at the heart of everything and once tamariki feel safe, secure, and have a sense of belonging – the sky is the limit. Marina is passionate about the Māori principles of Manaakitanga (respect) and Kotahitanga (diversity, unity, togetherness) and the importance of instilling those into tamariki during their early years.
Marina is looking forward to being a part of the learning journey of your tamariki and making a positive difference in their lives.
OLIVIA
Qualified Kaiako
Ko Ruapehu te māunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Nō Hamilton ahau
Ko Otis taku tamaiti
Ko Olivia tōku ingoa
Olivia was born in Hamilton but spent her childhood in Taupo before returning to Hamilton. Olivia has a Bachelor of Teaching and holds her full teaching registration. After a few different careers, she fell in love with teaching and has been teaching since 2018. Olivia is passionate about intentional teaching and learning through play. She loves working alongside tamariki and watching them grow and develop their own personalities.
LUCY
Kaiako
Lucy is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. She has always had a love of learning and feels very lucky that she has this opportunity to share her learnings with the tamariki at Midcity. Growing up surrounded by lots of young family members ignited her passion for Early Childhood teaching. Lucy enjoys seeing all the different personalities of the tamariki, while supporting and extending their learning to develop into confident and capable tamariki.
Rākau Kaiako
ABBEY
Team Leader & Qualified Kaiako
Abbey has her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from The University of Waikato and has been teaching since 2017. She is passionate about ensuring tamariki are seen, heard, and respected. Abbey enjoys following each tamaiti on their own learning pathway and providing support and encouragement where needed. She finds it most rewarding when tamariki reach their own goals and feel a sense of mana (pride) within themselves.
JASON
Kaiako
Jason is a very caring and fun kaiako who is loved by all the tamariki. He has worked throughout the Centre with all three age-groups, and is currently a kaiako in Rākau where the older tamariki really enjoy having a male role model around. Jason is passionate about Nature and continues to provide lots of amazing opportunities for the tamariki with the incredible creatures he brings to live at Midcity. He is also a wonderful encourager of gross motor development and is often found extending the tamariki in this valuable area of our curriculum.
CLAUDIA
Qualified Kaiako
Claudia has a bachelor in Social Science where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Development, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood. Claudia loves working with children, but her favourite part about teaching is watching them develop and grow. Working alongside them while their language, gross and fine motor skills, and personalities develop and flourish is fascinating and to be a part of it is even greater.
Support Staff
WENDY
Chef
Wendy loves creating healthy, nutritious meals for our tamariki as well as interacting with our wonderful kaiako and tamariki over the kitchen counter. She is married with 2 adult tamariki. Outside of work, Wendy enjoys spending time with family and adventuring in the outdoors.
CELESTE
Admin
Celeste has gained valuable experience in different industries throughout her career, Insurance, Banking, School Administration and Finance roles to name a few. Celeste really enjoys working in a team and believes collaboration brings out the best in everyone. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of children’s educational journey and Celeste is passionate about supporting children’s learning and helping them develop the skills they need as they grow up.
SARAH
Permanent Relief Kaiako
Sarah has worked in ECE since 2021. She loves working closely with the tamariki and watching their personalities develop. Sarah is passionate about providing a home away from home for the tamariki, so they have a strong sense of belonging. She believes in play-based learning and a strong link between whānau and kaiako to help enhance the development of our tamariki.
GAGAN
Relief Kaiako
Gagan began her teaching journey in New Zealand in 2025 and has had the privilege of working across all three rooms at Midcity – Rito, Māhuri and Rākau. Gagan enjoys being in each room because every age brings its own joy, challenges, and opportunities for learning. Gagan previously worked as a teacher in India and she is passionate about continuing her teaching journey here in Aotearoa. She believes that when tamariki feel safe, respected, and encouraged, they develop the confidence to explore and grow at their own pace.
Gagan is now looking forward to studying further in Early Childhood Education so she can strengthen her teaching practice and continue supporting tamariki to thrive.
VIRLYN
Permanent Relief Kaiako
Hello, my name is Virlyn. I majored in Marketing in Davao City, Phillipines, before moving to New Zealand 10 years ago to begin a new chapter with my husband and start our family. We now hang a young daughter together who keeps life fun and busy. Outside work I enjoy spending quality time with my family, going for walks, playing with my daughter, baking, catching up with friends and travelling whenever possible.