Coordinator

Canterbury/Waitaha
Unschooling approach

Nadia lives in Ōtautahi with her husband and their three teenage boys. They decided early on that the unschooling philosophy best resonated with their values, and set out establishing a regular playgroup with three other young unschooling families. This group was a cornerstone of the Sole family’s home education journey for many years. Now, with her two oldest sons preparing for engineering degrees and her youngest pursuing his passion for art, Nadia is relishing the teen years and watching her boys grow into remarkable young men. She’s also enjoying the opportunity to deepen her own interests in field archery, beekeeping, and pottery!

Member Offers Coordinator

Waikato
Unschooling approach

Gin has unschooled her two daughters from the beginning. Her youngest is now preparing for tertiary study and part-time work, while her older daughter is completing a Bachelor of Education at Auckland University (no one saw that coming!). Gin has loved their unschooling journey together as a family, and it is a bittersweet time to have it coming to an end. She is also a very passionate doggy mama - her two girls refer to her spoilt pup as her ‘favourite child’, which Gin says might not be far wrong. Both Gin and her pup love to swim and they spend most summer days frolicking in the water.

Membership Secretary

Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
Eclectic approach

CJ has always been passionate about education and became a registered teacher with qualifications in Special Education many years ago. She started to home educate when she found the needs of one of her children could not be met in the mainstream school system. Now, CJ and her partner have a blended family with five children ranging from 2 to 25 years old. She says their house is “full of disability and neurodiversity” – Autism, ADHD, tourettes, ID, dyslexia, dyscalculia, hearing loss, SPD, and speech language delay. They are constantly adapting their approach and also use NZ Sign Language.

Treasurer

Otago/Ōtākou
Eclectic approach

Jess lives in Dunedin and has been homeschooling her neurodiverse son since December 2019 due to increasing issues within the mainstream school system. With a passion for self-sufficiency and living a car-free lifestyle, Jess spends her time birdwatching, gardening and keeping her three Pekin bantams in line. Focusing on the importance of positive mental health has been a key feature in decisions around homeschooling for Jess and her family.

National Government Liaison

Manawatū-Whanganui
Eclectic approach

Cynthia’s five adult children graduated homeschool several years ago, and are now following various interests and career paths. With her broad knowledge of NZ law and a passion for encouraging new homeschoolers, Cynthia has provided an exemption support service for almost two decades. When not busy with their 10 grandchildren (two of whom are home educated), Cynthia and her husband work towards self-sufficiency on their lifestyle block in the Manawatū. Living with them are two of their children, a son-in-law (also home educated) and two little grandchildren - and Cynthia feels she is reaping the benefits of having taught them all practical skills!

ID Cards Coordinator

Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
Eclectic approach

Maharookh is a qualified child psychologist and teacher, with degrees in both. She is currently homeschooling her two youngest children. Maharookh is also on the Auckland Home Educators Committee, where she helps with exemptions and meets regularly with the local Ministry of Education staff.

Regional Government Liaisons Facilitator

Waikato
Eclectic approach

Sheena lives west of Hamilton with her husband and their three sons. With over 14 years of home educating experience - weaving Charlotte Mason, Classical and real-life opportunities into the tapestry of learning - she is now the proud mama of two homeschool graduates. Sheena has worked closely with the MoE office in Hamilton for over 10 years, launching many new home educators off the starting blocks by hosting information evenings and assisting with exemption applications. She has a passion for supporting families to provide a tailored education for their children, ensuring that they enjoy the journey along the way.

Government Liaison (Unschooling)

Manawatū-Whanganui
Unschooling approach

SandRa and her family live within a food forest and a menagerie of animals, in rural Eketāhuna. They’ve lived in various parts of Aotearoa and have been homeschooling for ten years, nine and a half of which have been unschooling. Like an extension of Playcentre, the three kids (17, 14 and 9) have had the freedom to lead their life learning in three very different directions; one through gaming, another through online education sites, another through nature and the great outdoors! SandRa is a gardener and fruit winemaker, operating a winery from their home using produce from the property and other local gardens.

Government Liaison (Policy/Research)

Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
Unschooling approach

Chris lives on the Pohutukawa Coast in Auckland with her partner and two primary-school aged children. A former Playcentre mum, Chris believes strongly in self-directed learning, through doing things the children enjoy. They are currently engaged in a long-term project visiting the 53 volcanoes in the Auckland Volcanic Field! The family spend their time meeting up with friends, attending sports and activities, and pursuing their own interests at home. Chris is a lawyer in the field of intellectual property.

Meetings Secretary

Manawatū-Whanganui
Eclectic approach

Kylie lives in the Manawatū with her husband, two autistic children and a variety of foster kittens. She began home educating in 2019 because her children’s learning and support needs were not being met in the mainstream school environment. Life doesn’t happen on a typical schedule in her household, and her children can be found engaging in activities any time of the day or night. Kylie primarily utilises free curricula which she modifies to create learning opportunities tailored to her children’s diverse needs. With her eldest now a teenager, Kylie is beginning to research qualifications and pathways most suitable to her teen’s goals.

Social Media Officer

Wellington/Te Whanganui a Tara
Eclectic approach

Vicki lives in the Wellington region and has been homeschooling her children since they began their learning journey. She prefers an eclectic approach to education, with a strong focus on science, maths, and creative projects. Homeschooling provides the flexibility her family values, allowing them to create a well-rounded programme tailored to each child's unique needs - via a mix of online programs, workbooks, library visits, and hands-on play. The family also enjoys exploring the local area and climbing hills. As kite enthusiasts, they can often be found flying kites at the beach.

Correspondence Secretary

Taranaki
Eclectic approach

After many years working in early childhood education and completing a degree in social work, Kylie knew for certain that home education was the path she wished to take in the future. She has now been doing so for three years with her son who has ID, ADHD and Anxiety. As a kinesthetic learner herself, Kylie loves learning alongside her son and is passionate about providing plentiful real world experiences as she tailors his education directly to his needs. Outside of homeschooling Kylie thrives on connecting with others, and has a passion for baking and paper crafting. 

Website Administrator

Northland/Te Tai Tokerau
Unschooling approach

Emily is a former primary school teacher with 10 years experience who now works part-time as a session facilitator at her local Playcentre. In recent years, Emily has worked as a Creative Marketing Manager and is now using her creative skills to share her motherhood journey online through a blog, focusing on conscious parenting and holistic living. She and her partner Chris live in South Hokianga with their little boy Alfie. She is embracing an unschooling, learning-through-play approach for Alfie, although he’s not yet old enough to be ‘officially’ homeschooled. The family enjoys spending time outdoors and at the beach.

Future Pathways Advisor

Waikato
Eclectic approach

Kirsty lives rurally with her husband and two teenage sons. Her passion for education began 29 years ago as a Playcentre mum (of her now adult son), and supervisor; then teacher aiding in a primary school, followed by instructing outdoor pursuits. Her two sons have been home educated from the beginning – one has completed his homeschool journey and is working full-time, with his eye on university next year. Kirsty loves helping home educating families find pathways that will support their children and teens in their unique context. We know kids are not, ‘one size fits all’ and this needs to be taken into consideration when looking to their futures.