Kia ora whanau.  I have been teaching at Hikurangi School since 2010 and love being part of our school whanau.  I find it extremely rewarding supporting our tamariki develop throughout their learning journey and becoming the wonderful tamariki that they are.   I have developed a real passion for supporting our tamariki on their journey to beginning school using play based learning.  I believe that play is the way in which our tamariki learn to; overcome their fears, develop relationships, solve challenges and generally become self-managing learners.  It is the way in which our tamariki develop and master the skills that are essential for progress in their own learning journey. I look forward to connecting and learning with you all.

srichards@hikurangi.school.nz

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga tini karangatanga maha, tena ra koutou katoa. I am a local boy of Ngati Wai descent, I whakapapa to the coastal villages of Takahiwai and Whananaki, lucky me! 

This year I am teaching in a year 1 - 3 class and am loving it. I love the challenge and enjoyment of my mahi. I love the tamariki and their unique charateristics that they bring to kura. I am very lucky to have something that I love to do as my job.

In my spare time I like to be with my whanau. We get up to all sorts of stuff from gardening to getting out in the water  doing some fishing and water sport. I feel at ease when on, in, or near the sea. I put it down to my Ngati Wai whakapapa and I am ever thankful to my tupuna for giving this to me.  

jduke@hikurangi.school.nz

Kia ora my name is Whitney Kemp and I teach in Room 11 .

 I am so excited to be in Room 11 this year, with a lovely bunch of Years 0, 1, 2 and 3 students. 

My main priority is to build positive relationships with children and creating a fun, safe, and caring "class community’. I have a passion for reading, dance, and technology. I also thoroughly enjoy teaching the Junior Pacific Island Dance Group.

wkemp@hikurangi.school.nz

My name is Shontelle Wihongi and I teach in Room 12 . I've been a teacher at Hikurangi School for 8 years.

Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family, going on road trips and eating my mum's home baking.

I am very proud to be part of the Hikurangi School staff and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work in a community of diverse, happy, hardworking and talented tamariki.

swihongi@hikurangi.school.nz

Kia ora, my name is Kyle Ward and I am currently teaching in a year 5, 6 and 7 class. This will be my 8th year teaching at Hikurangi Primary and my 1st in the senior school. I have absolutely loved my time in the juniors and enjoy the challenges that it brings. My passions within the school are sports and reading.

I am a Hikurangi local and enjoy spending the school breaks at the family bach just down the road at Whananaki South, fishing and diving. My partner and I have also just bought our first home so now all our free time outside of work is currently being used on renovations. I also play rugby for the local club when not sidelined with an ever mounting list of injuries. 

kward@hikurangi.school.nz

I have been working at our kura for quite awhile now.  I enjoy making a difference in children's lives by working together to find keys to their own unique learning pathway.  I find a certain sense of belonging now that I am teaching the sons, daughters, nieces and nephews of children I taught last century!  The children make me laugh and help keep me young as we learn from each other and together every day.  

mmacnay@hikurangi.school.nz

latoya ruawhare

shona keatley

Finance/ Library/ First Aid

Ani hemara

Taonga in School/ Kuia

HI my name is Phil Lawrie I have been associated with the school as a parent for the past 15 years and now have the great pleasure of being the school's grounds keeper.