THE TEAM
He aha te mea nui o te Ao, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata
What is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is people.

Kate

Diploma in Teaching ECE
Full registration
Current first aid certificate
Growing up in rural Aotearoa, New Zealand I had the absolute freedom to explore the outdoors at my leisure. I have always felt strongly about providing a space where children can have that same feeling and had seen first hand the benefits for tamariki when given the opportunity to play and learn freely in a spacious calm natural setting. It was a dream come true to be able to develop Nature Kids alongside my Mum and continue to enhance what we had built with our kaiako. It has been a joy to welcome tamariki and their whanau to share this journey with us.

Michaela

Bachelor of Teaching (Early Years)
Fully Registered 
Current first aid certificate
Tēnā koutou kātoa.  
Ko Michaela tōku ingoa, my passion for Nature-Based education has been nurtured here in Te Tauihu. Blending a Te Ao Māori approach into everyday life with tamariki is what I pride myself on as a Kaiako, ensuring that the generation of today, grow to be compassionate, empathetic, self-believing, well-rounded humans of the future. 
My involvement in Te Ao Māori and my strong connection to Te Āwhina Marae and local Iwi, gives me plentiful opportunity to engage in and share local kōrero and waiata with the tamariki of Motueka, helping them to connect to the place in which they live. Respect for Papatūānuku is important to me, as it is in the wellbeing of the whenua that we ourselves heal our own wairua. This is why I believe it is essential for tamariki themselves to also to feel a sense of connection to Te Taiao – the Natural Environment, so that they too can be in tune with Nature and themselves. 
I am on a learning journey myself as a Reo speaker and am proud to be a part of a team where Te Reo and Te Ao Māori are authentically immersed in our ethos and practice. 

Kayla

Bachelor of Teaching (Early Years)
Fully Registered 
Current first aid certificate
Kia ora, I am Kayla. 
I am passionate about teaching through play in a natural setting and making the most of our unique and special environment here in Aotearoa.

Anna

Masters of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
Current First Aid Certificate
Kia ora whānau, 
Ko Anna Ormandy toku ingoa
Ko Motueka ahau.
I have been teaching for 4 years in Christchurch and Tasman Bay. I have a passion for the outdoors and nature and some of my favourite activities include, mountain biking, yoga, nature walks, gardening and cooking. I believe that tamariki thrive better when nurtured and given the space to follow their own interests and play freely in a natural environment. 
I have recently come back from a Forest School study tour in the UK, a Play Iceland Conference and volunteering at a Forest School in Canada, where I gained a good understanding of nature education and Forest School philosophies. I look forward to being able to put what I have learnt into practice at Nature Kids.
Nga mihi nui

Katie

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Marlen
Currently on Parental Leave

Bachelor of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education)
Te Tohu Paetahi Whakaaro
(Te Mātauranga Kōhungahunga)
Kia ora koutou!
I am passionate about working with people, which previously led me to study mental health support work. Further down my path I fell into the early childhood world and found out that it was little people I wanted to work with most.
Before I began my study towards an early childhood education qualification I began my search to find an early childhood centre that I could call my home centre. Once I came across Nature Kids I knew that this is the place for me. Our Nature-Based philosophy aligns well with my beliefs, as well as the free play and self directed learning that happens so beautifully and organically at Nature Kids.

Wendy

​My main role is Kaiwhakahaere Office Manager, but I love to get out with the tamariki when I can.
Learning the ins and outs of Early Childhood Education has been an interesting challenge and I am very proud of Nature Kids, our passionate kaiako, our diverse and extraordinary tamariki and especially the serene and peaceful environment Kate and all our kaiako and whānau have developed over the few years we have been operating.
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Tina ​

Relieving Kaiako :
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
​Current First Aid Certificate​
I have been teaching for over 14 years.  I enjoy watching young children learn and grow in environments where they have time and space to be creative and to explore.  I believe that when children have the opportunity to experience learning in an uninterrupted manner, many memories and magical moments occur. These moments are long lasting for children. 
I love fishing and exploring in the beautiful place we are so lucky to live in.  I like to explore the walks around Motueka, Abel Tasman and Mount Arthur.  I also enjoy visiting the many scenic places in our fantastic country.