Our Team

Maria Tuiā – Pemerika

ELC Team Leader/Professional Leader

From Maria:

Talofa Lava! I am a New Zealand-born Samoan, born and raised in Glen Innes, East Auckland. My husband PJ and I have 5 children and bought our house in Papakura in 2018. Papakura is now our home and we love it here. Maria Tuia-Pemerika - ELC Head Teacher

I come from a family of Early Childhood Educators, so my passion for working alongside children started at a very young age. I have over 18 years' experience working in the Early Childhood Sector. I have been in leadership and management roles in a variety of Early Childhood settings. From Kindergartens, Community-based centres, privately owned centres and Early Learning Centres under a large organisation. I am a fully registered and qualified Educator, and an Associate Teacher for teachers in training.

I believe in respective practice and that my role as a Kaiako is to support and foster children’s learning, engagement and wellbeing in order for them to flourish.

Lalupe Lolesi

ELC Teacher

From Lalupe:

TALOFA!

My name is Lupe and I am super excited to join you all at Great Potentials ELC! I have been working in Early Childhood for 10 years and am currently in my last year of study, towards a Bachelor of Education with Open Polytechnic.

My teaching practice and philosophy is culturally influenced in where I value respectful relationships that are guided with LOVE and RESPECT. I love that each child comes with their own kete of knowledge and the unique way in which they see and interpret their world. It is my hope that I am able to walk alongside children and their families, as we support them to blossom into confident, secure, life-long learners.

I look forward to meeting you all! Alofa atu.

Latest

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Across the country our programmes are still supporting our community, just on different levels depending on the area you live in.
How our programmes have been running during Level Four lockdown

We have been working tirelessly to ensure we are doing everything we can to help children, young people, and families towards brighter futures, whilst we stay safe in our bubbles. Our programmes have been able to transition to supporting people in our communities remotely, similarly to how people connect with their family and friends.
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From the archives: NZ’s first Dad Tutor

Back in 1995, John Grubner made the local newspaper for being New Zealand’s very first “HIPPY dad” tutor. The local community paper said at the time, “Mr Grubner is a rare breed as a HIPPY tutor because it is usually mums who are recruited from parents who have been through the programme...”

Garden Vision: ‘Growing for Good’ at ELC

Papakura Early Learning Centre’s Team Leader has a vision for transforming the centre's unused outdoor spaces into an edible garden, with a worm farm, composting and recycling system to teach the children sustainability...
Our Learning Plan

Our Early Learning Centre offers a curriculum based on Te Whariki. Each child is welcomed for who they are. Our staff are skilful at settling and working alongside children, following their play ideas. Whānau experience respectful relationships with kind and caring teachers who value their children.
What We Offer

We provide FREE early childhood education for 30 hours per week for children aged from two-five years. We offer Zero Fees, to make it affordable for everyone.
About Us

Great Potentials Early Learning Centre (Papakura), next to Kelvin Road School, offers FREE all-day sessions for children aged from two to five years. Enrolments available now.

HIPPY Programme

HIPPY is a home-based Early Learning programme that helps parents from disadvantaged communities lay the foundation for their children’s success in school and later life...
HIPPY Locations

Locations and contact details for HIPPY sites around New Zealand
Community Funding

We are immensely grateful to all of our supporters who contribute in various ways to Great Potentials Foundation. Your generosity truly impacts the lives of children, young people and families propelling them towards brighter futures.
Become a mentor

If you are a tertiary student in Auckland and are interested in becoming a MATES mentor, please complete the online application form...
MATES Programme

MATES Mentoring and Tutoring programme addresses the underachievement in education of disadvantaged youth in New Zealand, intervening at key transition points to create pathways for success...
Contact Details

Address and contact information for Great Potentials Office and programmes
Our Mission

Working for and with children, young people and families to promote family function, relieve suffering, release potential, reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage...
Work for us

Situations vacant at Great Potentials Foundation
Family Service Centres

Our Family Service Centres assist the community with housing, food, health care, employment support and wellbeing services as well as offering early learning services, parenting programmes, playgroups, social workers in schools, counselling and more...
Takanini Family Service Centre

Family Service Centre Takanini opened its doors in January 2014. Our warm, colourful new Centre was established in partnership with the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, whose superb early learning centre provides a beautiful environment for the local children.