Amy Nafo’i-Lauaki

Amy holds a Bachelor’s degree in ECE teaching and is fully registered. She has been part of Piwaka for 11 years and is an expert teacher for two-year-olds, having gained extensive experience working with them. She is passionate about celebrating the uniqueness and identity of each child and learning alongside them about the richness and beauty of different cultures. Amy knows how important exploration is for our tamariki, sensory play and music is a must as a two-year-old. She loves hearing the tamariki engage with each other and seeing their big smiles as they share their taste of music from their whare/homes. She quotes “I love hearing the tamariki’s playlist from home it makes them so happy know they can share this with their friends”

Amy's interests include playing piano for her church choir, spending quality time with Aiga/family, relaxing and having a good dessert. Amy is a New Zealand born Samoan and is very proud of her culture & heritage.

Kakamatua RoomPhil Houghton22 October 2026Team Leader

Leetal Mills

Leetal is the Team Leader of the Huia room. She is a qualified and registered teacher. Leetal is one of our longest standing Pīwaka teachers, having taught in our babies’ room for 8 years. Leetal is passionate about teaching with Aroha and does her best to ensure that your young ones develop Trust and a sense of Belonging in their new home. Leetal has two young children of her own, and is such a wealth of knowledge for all you new mothers.

Huia RoomPhil Houghton16 May 2026Team Leader

Simon Baker

Simon holds a B Ed Early Childhood and is a fully registered teacher. Simon grew up in Whāngarei. He enjoys spending his weekends going to the beach or spending time with family and friends. Having fun is a priority in ECE and Simon makes sure that the children always have a smile on their face and have something new to share with their whānau after a day full of learning and playing.

Piha RoomPhil Houghton16 April 2026Team Leader

Francis Loto-Nafo’i

Francis holds a B ED Early Education and has been with us at Pīwaka in the Te Henga room since 2016. She is currently provisionally registered. Francis enjoys spending quality time with her family especially her nieces and nephews and going to CrossFit. Francis is very proud of her Samoan heritage and believes that 3 values of being Samoan which is fa’aaloalo (respect) tautua (service) and alofa (love) have moulded her into the teacher she is today.

Te Henga RoomPhil Houghton15 August 2024Team Leader

Amber Le-Pine Williams

Amber has a Bachelor of Education from Auckland University. Amber is born and raised in Waitakere and loves her community. Amber has been working with children for over 8 year and in ECE for 5 years. Amber loves listening to children speak and values their opinion, she believes children are some of the best teachers and remind us to enjoy the little things. Amber enjoys teaching gardening and science and has a passion for sustainability. Amber is a proud mum of 3 and feels privileged to be caring for your tamariki.

Muriwai RoomGinny Trethewey15 August 2024Team Leader

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