Senior Leadership
Senior Leadership
Christina Patea
Principal
About Me
Talofa lava
O lo’u igoa o Taulapapa Christina Patea. I am Samoan and my parents are from the villages of Tulaele, Taga, Alamagoto and Fetausi. My husband is Laurie Patea and we have four children, and 1 beautiful grandson Abel Patea who is Ngati Hamoa, Ngati Porou & Tainui.
I have been in education for 25 years and I have spent 15 years serving the beautiful community of Manurewa. I am blessed to be gifted with educating our future leaders.
O le ala o le pule o le tautua, the pathway to leadership is through service.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
Uputaua Muaiava
Lead Coach
About Me
Talofa, Kiaora, Hello.
Ko Uputaua Muaiava tōku ingoa nō Hamoa ahau.
My name is Uputaua Muaiava, I hail from the beautiful village of Aufaga in Samoa. I am married to my husband Segialii Tamanini Muaiava from the villages of Magiagi and Safa’atoa Lefaga and blessed with 6 children and 9 grandchildren. I have been teaching for 15 years and truly love each part of my journey. I am thrilled to work in this school where everyone feels like a aiga/whānau/family.
“O le tele o sulu, e maua ai figota.” O faiaoga o le sulu lea o le galuega a’oa’o.
Fishing analogy: The more torches there are, the greater the light, which brings a more abundant catch. Teachers are the torch of light with the work of teaching.
Ashnee Ganess
Lead Coach
About Me
In 2009 my family and I immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa. I began my journey here at the Best Little School in Manurewa as a Junior teacher, then moved to the Senior school. I am currently one of the Lead Coaches at Homai Primary School and my passion is raising student achievement and continuing to build positive relationships with families and the community. Outside of school, I enjoy travelling to warm beaches, nature walks and time with family.
Admin Staff
Admin Staff
Bronwyn Warings
Executive Administrator
About Me
My name Bronwyn Waring and I am Executive Assistant to the Principal and Board of Trustees.
I am married to Wayne and we have two children and two grandchildren.
I have worked in varying admin roles at Homai and always enjoy our Homai students and community.
Gayle Coe
Financial Officer
About Me
My name is Gayle Coe and I look after the finances at Homai. I have been married to Richard for 46 years and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. I enjoy working at Homai and love seeing the smiling faces of the children.
Margaret Murray
Office Manager
About Me
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko Waingongoro te awa
Ko Ngāruahine raua ko Ngāti Ruanui oku iwi
No Mātariki oku tipunā
Ko Margaret Murray tõku ingoā
I have been with Homai since 2013 as a Teacher Aide for 5 years. From there I had the opportunity to move into the Reception/Office Administration role. I thoroughly enjoy being in the front line greeting our students/staff and our community each day.
Teaching Staff
Teaching Staff
Melisha Chand
Learning Support Coordinator
About Me
Bula Vinaka e te whānau!
Ko Koroyanitu te maunga.
Ko Te Moana nui a Kiwa te moana.
Nō Fiji ahau.
Ko Chand tōku whānau.
Ko Melisha tōku ingoa.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Hey! My name is Melisha Chand and I am from the beautiful islands of Fiji.
My guiding principle is this whakatauki: “Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o tātou mahi” which means,
“Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.”
Tracey Broughton
Teacher
Room 1
About Me
Kia Ora e te whānau
Ko Te Ramaroa te maunga
Ko Whirinaki te awa
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Matai Aranui te marae
Ko te Hikutu te hapu
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Kupe te tupuna
Ko Tracey Broughton tōku ingoa
My name is Tracey Broughton, Hokianga is the place I call home
My philosophy in education is that everyone has the right to inclusive education to grow mentally, socially, physically and emotionally within an environment of opportunity.
Peter Forsyth
Teacher
Room 3
About Me
I come from a close and loving family of Samoan and Italian descent. My parents have furnished me with understanding, compassion and drive which allows me to both celebrate and acknowledge my dual cultural heritage.
For me, learning is about empowering others, giving them the support, skills and encouragement to follow their dreams and aspirations. My journey through life so far has empowered and encouraged my family and my wife and me to follow our dreams.
Krystal Sheck
Teacher
Room 4
About Me
Talofa lava, my name is Krystal Sheck and I hail from the Pacific Islands of Samoa. This is my fourth year teaching at Homai Primary School and I’m currently a year 4 teacher. My philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I’m excited for the learning and growth we will encounter this year and I look forward to our learning journey together.
Ruth Chandar
Teacher
Room 5
About Me
For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a teacher. This year, I am pleased to be back amongst my highly regarded colleagues and, of course, my awesome Homai tamariki and contributing whanau.
In Room 5 we have developed a strong understanding that we are all teachers and learners. We look out for and care for the learning of each other. We uphold equity and try to ensure that everyone has what they need to accomplish optimum learning. I believe schooling is really an extension of the positives of the wider world.
Johnny Wallace
Teacher
Room 6
About Me
Kia Ora
Johnny Philip Montgomery Wallace.
Tōku Pepeha Tēnā koutou katoa.
Ko Wallace Tōku ingoa Whānau.
Ko Montgomery Tōku matua.
Ko Cloada Tōku whaea.
Ko Philip aka Johnny Tōku ingoa.
Kia ora, kia mau te aroha, Johnny.
Jacinta Chinta
Ahuru Team Coach
Room 8
About Me
Namaste, my name is Jacinta Chinta, married with two children and we migrated from India to New Zealand in 2001. I live in Mangere Bridge with my husband Nathaniel, my daughter Niyothi and my granddaughter Grace. My son Nikhil Joseph, daughter-in-law Julia and granddaughter Abigail Hope live in Hamilton. I have been happily married for thirty six years and God has blessed me with an amazing family.
This is my sixth year of teaching at Homai Primary School where we value relationships first and uphold Homai School values.
“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration our growth is limited to our own perspectives.” - Robert John Meehan
Manju Hindurpersad
Teacher
Room 10
About Me
Kia Ora
My name is Manju Hindurpersad. My dream is to travel the world. My philosophy in life is, if you care about what you do and work hard at it, there isn’t anything you can’t do if you want to. I always encourage my students the more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you read the more places you’ll go. My empowering message is “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela.
Manju
Natasha Tully
Teacher
Room 11
About Me
My name is Natasha Tully. I was born in India, Kolkata - The City of Joy. I love to read, cook, craft and browse the internet. Travelling is my passion. My husband and I have been happily married for seventeen years and we have a beautiful daughter. My motivation as a teacher comes from the words of the great Albert Einstein who once said, Education is what remains when one has forgotten what he has learned in school.
Anne Forsyth
Teacher
Room 12
About Me
Kia Orana, my name is Anne Forsyth. I am a Cook Islander and my parents are from the island Mangaia. My husband is Peter and we are both educators. I have been in education for 20 years and Homai school is my 4th school. I have spent most of my 16 year teaching career serving the community of Clendon. The last 2 years I previously taught in Glen Innes teaching in the juniors. I look forward to teaching and serving back here in Manurewa.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. It is people, it is people, it is people.
(Maori whakatauki)
Kia Orana e Kia Manuia.
Radhika Raj
Teacher
Room 13
About Me
Bula Vinaka e te whānau!
My Name is Radhika and I am from the beautiful Fiji Islands. My hubby Ajay and I have been married for 23 years and have been blessed with 2 twin girls and a boy. Ajay and I have been in New Zealand for the last 17 years.
My philosophy is that: I believe every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.
Michaela Taranaki
Teacher
Room 15
About Me
Tēnā koutou e te whānau
Ko Maungataniwha te maunga
Ko Te Moho te awa
Ko Mamaru te waka
Ko Te Manawa o Ngāti Tara te wharenui
Ko Parapara te marae
Ko Ngāti Tara te hapu
Ko Ngāti Kahu te iwi
Ko Kahutianui te tupuna
Ko Michaela Taranaki Priestley tōku ingoa
“Whaowhia te kete mātauranga”
Alice Aubry-Kirkwood
Teacher
Room 16
About Me
Hawaiki Nui, Hawaiki Roa, Hawaiki Pāmamao
Ka maunu tōku waka i te Moana-Nui-ā-Kiwa
He tai timu, He tai pari, He tai nui
E papaki kau ana ki te Tai-Tama-Tāne
Hokianga-Whakapau-Karakia
Ā, ā Niniwa, ā Ārai-te-uru
Kei reira ka rere te toto o tōku kāwai tāngata,
Arā, te āhuru mōwai o tōku ūkaipō
Ka tangi, ka hotuhotu, kia rātou mā,
Kua whēturangitia ki tua o te ārai
Te kaiārahi whakatere waka ki uta,
Ko te ao, te ao, ko Ao-tea-roa!
I’m into my second year as a teacher in the Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa waka. I’m with one of the two junior classes, teaching year 2-4.
Nōreira, tēnā koutou
Ngā manaakitanga, nā whaea Alice Aubrey-Kirkwood
Hera Minhinnick
Teacher
Room 17
About Me
Ko Mōkau ki runga
Ko Tāmaki ki raro
Ko Mangatoatoa ki waenganui.
Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato
Te Kaokaoroa-o-Pātetere.
Ko Hera Minhinnick tōku ingoa.
Te Wairaka Martin
Teacher
Room 18
Te Awaiti Te Aho
TMNaK Team Coach
About Me
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Te Kotahitanga te marae
Ko Ngāti Tipa te hapū
Ko Waikato te iwi
Waikato taniwha rau
He piko, he taniwha
He piko, he taniwha
Ko Maunga Taniwha te maunga
Ko Oruru te awa
Ko Mamaru te waka
Ko Te Kauhanga te marae
Ko Te Paatu te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kaahu te iwi
Ngāti Kaahu tokoiti
Ngāti Kaahu manawanui
Ko Te Awaiti Te Aho ahau
Lauren Woodgate
Teacher
Room 5
Support Staff
Support Staff
Helan Collings
SST Team Leader
Maryalice Goodman
SST
About Me
Hi my name is Maryalice. I've lived in Manurewa for over 36 years. I have 3 grown up children and 1 Granddaughter who attends Homai. I've been part of Homai for a very long time and you could say that I'm part of the furniture. Homai is my second whanau and I love working with the Tamariki and the staff.
Karita Siakisini
SST
About Me
Talofa lava ! My name is Karita - also known as MRS K. I grew up in the beautiful paradise of Samoa. I then traveled to Aotearoa, to support my family back home, and live my life.I’ve been married for 29 years, and three amazing daughters. As a student support teacher the inspiration I have for teaching stems from this passage, “ O AU A MATUA FANAU “ – CHILDRENS ARE THE PRECIOUS OFFSPRING OF PARENTS.
Karen Cate
SST
John Ikinepe
SST
About Me
Fakaalofa Lahi atu
Given the name John, from my beautiful Niuean parents.
Work and live in Manurewa, did my Schooling here in Manurewa back in the days.
To see our young people grow and to achieve their goals is a blessing.
Some lyrics of a great song, that I personally believe
“I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be”.
Wrote by Michael Masser and Linda Creed
Sang by Whitney Huston
Angela Hydes
SST
About Me
Kia Ora,
Ko te Atua piringa (the Lord is my refuge)
Ka puta, Ka ora (my salvation, my eternal life)
Ko Wikitoria te maunga e rū nei tōku ngākau.
Ko Waitemata te moana e māhea nei ōku māharahara.
Nō Wēra me Ingarangi ōku tupuna.
Ko Angela tōku ingoa.
Hi, I’m Angela, married to David and mother of 7 children, two dogs, five birds, and a cat. I love working alongside our juniors in the classroom,as well as the sensory, and junk play programs. I’m also studying towards my teaching degree with Waikato University.
Donna Heka-Head
SST
About Me
Fakaalofa lahi atu ki a mutolu oti & Kia ora koutou,
Ko e higoa haaku ko Donna Heka-Head.
My magafaoa originates from Alofi & Tuapa in Niue.
Born and raised in Manurewa, South Aukilani,
Full time Student Support Teacher in Te Moana Nui a Kiwa,
I am currently in my second year at Waikato University to become
A qualified teacher here at Homai School.
"Kāore ōku toto Māori, engari ko Aotearoa te whenua i whakatipu mai i a au"
Stephen Mouatt
Caretaker
Clayton Friend
Groundsman (M/T/W)
Paul Jackson
SWiS (W/T/F)
About Me
Fakaalofa lahi atu.
My name is Paul Jackson and I have too many middle names to list.
I am proudly Aotearoa born of Niuean descent.
I am the third youngest of eight to my late parents Maui and Liliola of Hakupu and Alofi respectively.
I was born and bred in Manurewa and have no great desire to be elsewhere.
I have five children and one grandchild who has us all googling.
All but one of my children live at home with myself and my beautiful partner Caroline.
We have a dog named Meng who is the best and we have a cat named Ruff who is a…cat.
Kia monuina.