Aaron Brunet

Plant-based for four years, Aaron has been on a life-changing journey of discovery after Masterchef. Now he's ready to share his enthusiasm for enjoying food and life in a whole new way. www.aaronbrunet.co.nz

Aiko Fukumoto

I am a Kintsugi artist and Qigong instructor. I am Japanese and have lived in Auckland for 30 year. At first it wasn't an easy life as a migrant. During this time I was seeking the purpose of life, meditating and reading many books about psychology. When I encountered Kintsugi art, I could face what had happened to me. As I practised this art, I began to accept and be proud of my own scars in my life. Kintsugi helped me to meditate more easily, become calmer and be strong enough to face new challenging circumstances, and to rebirth myself. 

Having seen these benefits, I would like to share with others this art of repairing our hearts, as understanding, nurturing, and strengthening of mind and spirit. I believe Kintsugi will help you to be strong and create a beautiful quality of life.

Aisling Cavanagh

Akiko Ibe

Alasdair Scott

After 20 years in the corporate world, Alasdair ditched the suits and ties for an apron and the satisfaction of passing on artistic knowledge.

Alasdair has been running Soft stone sculpting workshops for over 10 years, from his Studio in the Upper Waiwera Valley between Puhoi and Silverdale. More recently he has run several sculpting workshops at Sculptureum Sculpture Park, in Omaha.

Of the soft stone sculpture process, Alasdair says, “A lot of people often have a dim view of their creative abilities. But with the right instruction and a bit of prompting, virtually everyone of my sculpting clients come away with a sculpture they are proud of. Soft stone sculpting is the process of reduction, your sculpture is in the block you start with, you just have to reveal it. I have the tools, the knowledge and the experience to help you reveal your piece of art.”

Being interested in the process of reduction from an early age, Alasdair started his sculpting journey carving figurines from candles, before turning his attention to wood. About 25 years ago he attended his first soft stone sculpting workshop and was immediately taken with the process. He has since sculpted many pieces that now adorn the 10 acre lifestyle block he shares with his wife Fiona and their two Airedale terriers Ruby and Rosie.

Alison Seidl

Alison completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, as well as a Level One Restorative Teacher Training in 2018, at Yoga Nanda in New York. She will always be a student of the practice, and is a qualified Bodylight Level One Instructor. The Bodylight method combines the teaching of ancient Yoga with Qi gong and Pilates. Her own practice started around 2012, shortly after becoming a licensed Massage Therapist in New York City.

Alison loves learning about the connection between the mind and the body, as well as exploring the natural healing capacity of both. Her focus is on guiding the breath to link mindfulness movement and proper body alignment. Her knowledge of massage combined with the practice of yoga creates a well balanced offering to all. Yoga is transformative - it is an opportunity to develop an internal awareness leading to the discovery of the self for endless growth and evolution.

Alysn Midgelow-Marsden

I love to share my experimental, improvisational approaches and am an internationally acknowledged artist, curator, tutor and author. I specialise in a range of unusual materials such as metals, paper, wire and paint, and not for nothing is my blog called ‘Alysnsburntofferings’ as my techniques include burning, hammering, patinating and distressing (amongst others). Stitching and embellishing are not forgotten and are used freely and expressively. Designs and inspiration are often drawn from natural patterns and textures in addition to a fascination with the history and context of materials and techniques.

Andre Taber

André is a researcher and writer who left behind the world of food journalism (freelance reporting, feature writing and restaurant reviewing for several outlets, two books on New Zealand food) to specialise in food history. He has previously worked as Tour guide at Eat Auckland for more than three years.

Andrea Jewett

I have been studying money management for the better part of the last decade in a mission to master this thing called money. Having a background in integrative psychologies has helped me understand how human behaviour affects this emotional subject. For this course I have brought together the most effective methods and techniques that I have personally used with much success and I am driven to share my findings with others.

Andrea Waterhouse

I have always had a love of art, be it flowering arranging, writing, silk painting or working with resin. I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction helping people express their unique talents and discover that there is an artist in each and every one of us.

Andrew Ockleston

I've worked as a portraitist for five years, as well as exhibiting my own work. After finishing my studies at animation college, I have spent several years tutoring adults and children in art, and have tutored at Selwyn Community Education since 2019.

Angella Gilbert

Angella Gilbert - Organising & Decluttering Expert

Angella believes one of the keys to a joyful life is living in harmony, with our environment, within our working day, and in our home. Angella’s passion for helping others achieve this brings her joy. 

Having lived abroad for 15 years, she quickly found that the necessities of life were few and the pleasures of a simplified life were many. Italy became her second home for over eight years and as she became fluent in the language, she discovered the immense appeal of a country where its people live and love each and every day with an exuberance and passion that is enviable. That’s the passion Angella brings to her business and her life.

Angella has an extensive background in business management in a number of industries including telecommunications, travel, management consulting, real estate and business broking. This experience, gained over many years in Australia, London and Italy, and in her home city of Auckland, has contributed to Angella’s innate talent for creating organised systems and processes that work, both in the home and in business.

She established Gioia in 2005 to provide her services to people living in overwhelmingly cluttered and disorganised homes.  Since that time she has worked alongside hundreds of clients in their homes, helping them to declutter, downsize, solve storage problems, and ultimately creating lovely relaxing and harmonious living environments.

 “I believe we all want our home to be a warm and inviting haven. If the home is organised and cleared of clutter it becomes a welcoming environment where we can truly relax and allow the tensions of the day to disappear.”

Her business clients enjoy the benefit of feeling in control that comes once order is established and simple practices are put in place to have their business running smoothly.

“To have your business day flow with ease is a joy. Once processes and systems are in place, everything becomes simplified and daily activities can be handled quickly and without stress, allowing us to perform at our best.”

Ania Grant

I have recently completed a PhD in English at the University of Auckland. My research focuses on romantic narratives, from Jane Austen's novels to the hit television series Sex and the City. I argue that such texts are culturally important and that they have positive psychological effects on their audiences. For the last ten years I have been tutoring and lecturing in English, Media and Communication at the University of Auckland and at AUT. 

Anna Piskun

My name is Anna Piskun. I'm certified instructor of clay art modeling over 8 years.

Mainly I work with Japanese paper base clay Decoclay. It’s an amazingly soft, lightweight and flexible material. That’s why lots of my students call our workshops 100% art therapy classes. You don’t need be an artist. Take the clay, relax, enjoy and your beautiful flowers or figure soon appear.

Anna-Maria Bribiesca

Anna-Maria Bribiesca is a multidiscipline artist, who has been practicing all of her life. Her parents (Lois Marie Ashton Bribiesca and José Maria Bribiesca) were artists and members of the first Arts and Crafts Market (The Browns Mill) in the 1960s, in Tāmakimakaurau. This had a massive influence on Anna-Maria from a very young age.  She works in mediums including : textile, painting, sculpture, mixed media, jewellery and moving image. Anna-Maria exhibits solo and in group shows annually in the Auckland Festival of Photography and the Franklin Art Award and the Pollok Art Gallery exhibition. She also supplies Pollok Art Gallery, Art Industry Gallery, and Arohart Gallery with her various art forms. Anna-Maria teaches art, as well as exhibits at and curates, the annual Manurewa High School Art Exhibition.

Anne Ashby

Anne Ashby proudly originates from Southland. She enjoyed a very satisfying career in the Royal NZ Navy before retiring to raise her family and begin pursuing her dream of writing. Anne writes contemporary sweet/sensual romance with a kiwi flavour. www.anneashby.com. She has also compiled a non-fiction book of Women’s Memories in the RNZN Multi published contemporary romance writer.

Anne is keen to share her love of the romance genre and the written word in general and has more than 20 years instructional experience. Encouraging others to write is her goal. 

Anne Kennedy

Anne Picart

Anne Toth

As a lifelong crafter and artsy person… with a day job, family, and never enough time to cram it all in… Zentangle® Method … helps me do so. Mindful drawing has so many more benefits than the pictures you create. I am more patient, fun, and creative than before I started tangling. Sharing something so simple, but which offers each and every one of us such incredible results, is why I sought certification – so I can show others what has made such a difference in my life. You will be amazed what some simple steps can achieve, and in so many ways!

Annette Balsillie

Annette completed her 200-hour Teacher Training in 2017 with Ashram Yoga, Yin/Yang Yoga Teacher Training with Sarah Powers in 2018 and Contemporary Yoga 200hr YTT 2020. This has given Annette a wide understanding of Yoga from different perspectives. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and trained as a Mindfulness-Based Stillness Meditation Teacher with Gawler Cancer Foundation, Australia.

“I love being able to help people cultivate a nourishing and sustainable yoga practice, encompassing body, mind and spirit , that supports you throughout the ups and downs of life, a practice which guides you towards optimal health and wellbeing”

Her previous 20 years professional experience as a Registered Nurse working with people with Life threatening Illness informs a caring and intuitive approach, her teaching style is thoughtful, informative and inspiring.  She has a passion for the power of movement, stillness and mindfulness as a path for self -transformation and healing. 

Annette teaches safe, functional and sustainable principles, along with mindfulness and Breath awareness tools and techniques.  Currently completing Mental Health Aware Yoga training with Dr Lauren Tober she has a special interest in mental health and the practice of Yoga as a pathway to wholeness and healing.

Annie Chang

Having graduated from Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design, Annie has worked in the fashion industry and as a graphic designer at Blunt Umbrellas for five years. Whilst working, she got engaged and set about to create flower arrangements for her wedding. From there, her natural talents brought in her first flower orders.

In 2019, after two years of floral arranging as her side hustle, she took steps towards her dream of running a studio full-time.

Looking to explore more ways of working with flowers and combining that with her unique talents, background in arts and design, Annie set off to travel across the world. There, she gained a KCDA flower piping certification and learnt from the best floral cake decorators. This is where she fell in love with sugar art and was able to master the skills in a short amount of time.

Eventually, she leapt into her new venture and is now the proud and happy owner of Annie's Little Valley studio and cafe that showcases her sugar art and all things creative.

Antoinette van der Weerden

Introducing Antoinette van der Weerden

Currently I am the course co-ordinator for landscape design at Wintec, in Hamilton. We are situated in the heart of the Hamilton Gardens, so are surrounded in great design every day! My passion for gardens and design started at home with a very arty mother, a potter, amazing cook, and crafts person. Being surrounded by good design is the best way to develop a love for it.

My interest and curiosity have been kept alive by teaching garden history and planting design for the past 15 years here at Wintec and being an accredited member of the Garden Design Society ensures I am still surrounded by like minded people to share and discuss the pleasures of all gardens, while also inspiring students new to this field of study.

Understanding the past, the history of our shared garden design discipline, guides our way forward as we move into a new era, where ecological imperatives drive our thinking today, while the traditions of the past and current gardens are still so delicious to dip into.

I would be honoured to share the Garden Design Society’s garden tour with you this year, and look forward to having an inspiring and fun day out.

Antonia Marino

Anya Samarasinghe

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland with an interest in nineteenth-century European art. I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Art History Department and have experience working in art galleries and museums.

Asma Shaikh

Aver-Kathleen Watford

Kia Ora my name is Aver-Kathleen Watford.

I am a from Te Arawa (Rotorua) and Te Rarawa (Kaitaia).

I am the proud mother of a 8 month baby boy. My journey with raranga formally began a year ago, when I started studying at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Barbara Mahoney

I'm a part-time tutor who gets a lot of satisfaction from passing on my mosaic knowledge and bringing out the hidden talents that people don't know they have.

Comments from 31 August 1 September weekend workshop with Barbara: "Enjoyed that it was over a weekend and we could leave our projects"  "Enjoyed the helpful teacher and learning a new skill"  "Enjoyed the interaction with others in the class"  "Enjoyed the patience of the teacher and the autonomy of setting projects".

Comments from Oct/Nov 2013 class with Barbara: "Enjoyed the creativity of meeting with other like-minded people" "Enjoyed learning a new craft" "Fantastic tutor, very patient and good clear explanations"

Barbara Martelli

Beatrice Carlson

10 times finalist of World of WearableArt and two awards winning entries from 2010 to 2019.

Since 2020, Carlson work has been translating her WOW concepts to adornment and contemporary jewellery.

Carlson is a visual artist using Perspex as her main medium. 

She is also a printmaker and has a french diploma in fashion design/pattern making. She is now a full time jeweller. 

Ben Seymour

I have been practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa at the Auckland Yoga Academy since 2015, completing 1 year part time teacher training over 2016.

I have over 700 hours of teaching experience and am registered with the Yoga Alliance (YA500). I have also completed a six month part time teacher training in Hatha Yoga.

My yoga practice is the foundation of my lifestyle bringing me health, wellbeing, and growth. I love to share these practices and hopefully the benefits of the practice. My approach to teaching is solid, safe, and accessible. This is based in the firm belief that yoga is available to all.

Bess Fairfax

Bess is a CELTA qualified English Language tutor who uses innovative techniques including drama and vocal training to deliver effective and engaging lessons. With over 15 years teaching experience, Bess has taught a variety of courses including ESOL Entry Level to Level 3, General EFL,  exam preparation including IELTS, FCE, CAE and functional skills classes. Bess has Work Based Learning experience, having taught ESOL to NZ employees at companies such as Cadbury. Bess has enjoyed working with diverse students including adults, children on study abroad programmes, refugees and even foreign inmates in UK prisons. Bess takes the time to get to know her students and fully understand their objectives so that her classes are planned to truly support the individual needs of each student. She is currently teaching ESOL to groups and individuals with English Language Partners NZ as well as volunteering to teach English to a recently welcomed refugee from Afghanistan.

Brigid Ryan

Dr Brigid Ryan is a neuroscientist working at the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland. She has expertise in neurodegenerative disease and a particular interest in early biomarkers of dementia. She is currently leading a multi-disciplinary longitudinal study of the earliest changes that occur in dementia.

Brij Narayan

Bruce Thomson

Bruce learned early in his career as an English Foreign Language teacher to take a holistic approach to teaching and learning: we all have valuable things to share when we communicate, and we can get bogged down thinking of speech as something full of flaws which need to be corrected.  He passionately believes that anyone interested in communicating more effectively does learn how to do it! In the last ten years since he has been working as a voice teacher and dialect coach, he has learned many techniques to assist people as they develop their ability to be understood. That is always the key thing for him: “To be able to make ourselves clear and accessible to those we hope to connect with. It is not about having one particular accent or way of sounding." 

Bruno Rubini

Bruno was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a qualified Coach and Massage Therapist. Bruno started archery at the age of six, and started meditation, Tai Chi and Chi Kung in 1979 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He competed in archery in his teens throughout South America. He has been Auckland Coaching Director of Archery New Zealand and trained archers for international competition and teaches archery as a form of meditation. Since 1985 he has been studying the Healing Arts of Naturopathy, Energy Balancing, Reflexology, Nutrition, Chi Kung and Meditation.

He has also been practising Tai Chi Chuan for over 30 years and now teaches Chi Kung, Tai Chi and Meditation in the evenings and weekends.

For more details see 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tai-Chi-Bruno/119339098141816

Campbell Mason

Caroline Faigan

Caroline Faigan is a multidisciplinary artist who recently completed a MFA at Elam, University of Auckland. She has also worked in film and fashion as an art director, stylist and writer. She enjoys teaching and learning and spent several years working in fashion education in London. Caroline’s art practice incorporates diverse techniques and materials to represent the body and form.

Carolyn James

Carolyn James is an analytics specialist who brings with her 25 years of experience in the IT sector. Carolyn established Website Insights to help businesses to measure and improve online effectiveness. She loves unlocking data and showing people how it can be used in a systematic way to get better results from online marketing.

Carolyn focuses on understanding her clients’ business so that she can transform ‘a deluge of data’ into clear and relevant reports that can be used month after month to guide decision-making.

Cat Hugo

I am an artist and graphic designer with more than 20 years’ work experience in the commercial architecture, interior design and marketing fields. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I found myself gravitating back to the visual arts to help manage the challenges of that time. This led me to seek training in arts therapy. I am in my third and final year of the Master of Creative Arts Therapy programme at Whitecliffe College. I have a passion for sharing how the arts can bring healing through self-exploration and expression, and a deeper connection with others.

Catherine Guevara

Catherine is a Colombian visual artist based in Auckland. Her body of work comprises curation, research, writing and ceramics. 

An accomplished visual artist in her country of origin, she moved to Auckland to deepen her practice by further understanding the relationship between Latin American and Pacific culture. As Curator for The Consulate General of Colombia, she develops educational programmes and art workshops that aim to help with the settlement of the Latin American community in New Zealand. 

The artist’s work examines the process of ceramic-making, imbuing layers of clay with memory and history. Often collaborative and experimental, she activates these vessels as meaning-making and storytelling tools. The results challenge our assumptions about the medium while enduring as deeply sensory objects.

Her passion for children and their creative mind inspires her to design and develop art experiences using all sorts of art techniques and surfaces to keep learning from the materials and their possibilities.

Find more in @CfromCat

Catherine Huckerby

A diploma in Visual Merchandising and a degree in Spatial Design, lead Catherine to work as a Stylist in prestigious advertising, editorial campaigns and exhibition design.

She has worked with some of UK’s leading magazines and TV shows, including the ‘BBC Home Show’, Sunday Times magazine, Harrods magazine, Liberty of London fabric campaigns, international IKEA store magazine styling and TV set design for the James Bond film promotion.

Naturally, this profile draws clients from around the globe, with styling and interior design commissions undertaken in London, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Having inherited her mother’s sensitivity, passion and confidence in colour and pattern, Catherine uses these skills alongside her vast international experience and knowledge in both her work as an Interior Designer and Dulux Colour Consultant, and to educate and enrich design students within her role as a lecturer for the Unitec Diploma in Residential and Commercial Design in Auckland.

Catherine now resides in Auckland, New Zealand, where her interior design practice ‘Blanc’ and ‘Colour Courses’ businesses are based.

Cathie Joyce

Cathie gained her qualifications in teaching English as a second language after a background in sales and as a lawyer.  She has lived and worked in the UK, Belgium and Rarotonga and has travelled the world extensively. The production of skilful English, in both speech and academic written forms, has always been one of Cathie’s passions.  She assesses individual student needs and objectives and lessons include personalised additions. Cathie currently teaches groups and individuals; and her ESOL experience covers Beginner to Advanced levels, Conversation, Pronunciation, Preparation for Work in NZ, on-site teaching to businesses, teaching refugees, women-only groups, skilled migrants and workshops on the Treaty of Waitangi.

Cathy Brickhill

I am a textile artist and I specialise in sculptural embroidery. I use my sewing machine as a tool to draw my designs onto soluble fabric to create one of a kind 3-dimensional artworks each with an emphasis on NZ’s fauna & flora. I love to inspire others on the creative journey of learning to use their sewing machines in different ways and inspiring them to create their own unique designs

Catrin Guenther

With a strong foundation in the natural and contemplative sciences, I use the body as a vehicle to reconnect with our true naturalness and joy for living. Since my yoga teacher accreditation in 2016 (RYS 200, UK), I have supported hundreds of people in the UK and in Aotearoa, to skillfully explore their Bodymind in a gentle but direct way through yoga and movement meditation. Integration of the Bodymind restores our natural strength and presence to live life more fully. Leading classes in diverse settings such as a gyms, yoga studios, community centers, workplace meeting rooms and residential retreats, has taught me that this is available to everyone. 

The essence of this non-sectarian mindfulness practice is deeply inspired by Leander Kane and Tarchin Hearn whom I have been following closely over the last 12-years by attending, assisting and organising meditation retreats in New Zealand. 

Cecilia Kim

Cecilia has come to New Zealand from Korea in 2001 with her family.  Previously a secondary school teacher of mathematics and science, Cecilia has a passion for cooking and wants to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for authentic Korean food with the community. Students from her courses have since participated in a Korean cooking competition and two received places.

Celine Lamperin

I am a French national and a mum of three. I am passionate about Sustainability, people and the planet. Climate change is a complex topic. I am convinced that we need more mainstream awareness on climate change if we want people to take action. 

Chloe Lam

Chloe Lam is an artist with Master in Art and Education from Birmingham City University. With more than 10 years’ experience teaching arts, she runs a variety of art projects across Auckland. 

Chris Minturn

Christopher Minturn is a co-director of the Jewellers Collective, the workshop division of Minturn Jewellery Ltd. From a very early age, Chris starting working for his father, Peter Minturn MNZM. Chris has held other positions in Customer Services, Photography and Sales. Later he joined Peter Minturn Goldsmith School Ltd as General Manager, where he contributed to the company's mission in delivering quality training in goldsmithing and jewellery. He has a passion for handmade crafts and loves to explore the connections that being creative brings. He enjoys offering tutelage in digital/SLR photography, which he has enjoyed for the past 22 years in the Adult and Community Education landscape, mostly at Rutherford College. He has lived in West Auckland for more than 30 years with his wife and two daughters.

Chris Zwaagdyk

Christina Wylie

I was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and trained as a secondary teacher but I have taught ESOL to adults here, and also in England, for 35 years. 

I have travelled to many parts of the world, including China, South America, Turkey and Russia, and have learnt several languages. Because of this, I understand how difficult it is to live in a different culture using a new language.

Playing the piano, practising yoga, walking my dog and going boating with my family take up my spare time. Most of all I enjoy learning dances from other countries, especially flamenco from Spain.

I like to find new ways of making learning interesting for students and find it very rewarding watching life become more enjoyable for them as their English language improves.

Claire Lichtwark-McInnes

10+ years’ experience as a senior local govt manager and 10 years’ experience as a consultant and partner at McInnes Associates Ltd.  

Extensive experience in all aspects of recruitment as well as supporting candidates and interns in career guidance/coaching.  

An ATCL in speech and drama.

Claire Linthwaite

Claire Linthwaite is the proprietor of Oscuro Lampshades. Originally from an art and design background in the UK, with a higher diploma in Design and Communications, Claire loves nothing more than rolling up her sleeves and the challenge that each day brings with creating bespoke designs.  

Claudia Terzi

Hello! My name is Claudia, and I am originally from Italy. I have been in New Zealand for 11 years. I have completed my pilates qualification with BASI Pilates which is internationally recognised and I am also a Yoga teacher which helps to improve the quality of my pilates sessions.   I have been practicing yoga and pilates for a few years and I love it! I used to like the idea of trying different studios and different styles of yoga and pilates and still today I love practicing and learning. I see a student like a capable and competent learner and teachers and students learn alongside each other. My goal is to facilitate a practice that allows people to move from the inside out, allowing a freedom in movement and the body at ease. I aim to teach a practice that empowers people and it instigates curiosity, exploration and creativity to reach freedom in mind, body and spirit. I aim to teach a practice for a fun, loving, explorative and nourishing experience in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Pilates improved my posture, alignment, flexibility, balance and strength. Pilates also helped me to recover from injuries and prevent more injuries. I offer a practice for all levels with plenty of variations for everyone, using props and creativity in the workouts I offer to my students.  I am looking forward to meeting you all. 

Clive Pereira

I have been a chef for over 10 years and cooked different cuisines over this period. I was trained in European cuisine for two years during my bachelors degree and have since worked in different hotels and catering establishments in New Zealand. I come from coastal region of Western India. I have a huge passion for oriental cuisine and its influences on European food. Thai style of cooking and ingredients resonate with my roots. Over the years I have taught myself in the skills of Thai food and wish to share my experience and my food with you. 

Corinne Yee

Corinne has 30 years of international teaching experience across all ages. She is also an examiner, adjudicator and choreographer. Corinne is passionate about dance and passes this love onto her students.

Craig Sutherland

Dr Craig Sutherland is a professional teaching fellow in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering, where he teaches the next generation of engineers to build robots and other systems. Previously, he worked in the Centre for Automation and Robotics Engineering Science (CARES), where he explored how people and robots can interact together, and how to improve robots in healthcare. Prior to getting a PhD in Human Computer Education, he worked in healthcare, education and software engineering.

Craig’s research focuses on two areas: how robots interact with people and how people learn to program computers. These interests conclude in teaching children how to program robots, especially his own. He regularly visits schools around Auckland to introduce robots and programming, so the next generation will be inspired to improve our robots.

Cristina Capri

I was born in Milan, Italy, and studied in Venice, where I achieved a Degree in Architecture and a Masters in Architecture Conservation. I have worked on a diverse range of architectural projects including the conservation of heritage buildings in the provinces of Padua and Venice.

Later I lived and worked in South Africa for twenty years where I was an architecture tutor at Wits University in Johannesburg. I also founded my own company, Italdesign Architects, and managed residential and commercial projects.

Currently in Auckland, I am the director of Ital Design, a company specialising in residential, eco-architecture and interiors. 

I teach a diverse range of short courses and workshops at Selwyn Community Education. I also teach at Unitec within the Bachelor of Interior Design and the Diploma of Interior Design.

Daneil Cunningham

I am a queer multi-disciplinary artist. I began exploring yoga, creative movement and voice work while training as an actor in London. With Teatr ZAR (of the Grotowski Institute, Poland), I toured to Madrid, Tbilisi, Paris, Istanbul, Edinburgh and Warsaw. I became founder and lead performer of SoundBoxed (UK) who created and toured unique immersive theatre for three years. In 2016, I began my solo career. I create transformational artworks that explore sensuality, sexuality and spirituality through performances, photography, film and participatory workshops. I have performed my work in London’s queer night clubs, art venues, studio theatres, and at an Irish priests’ school and the foot of an Icelandic volcano. I also taught yoga and creative movement practice at four London drama schools (including Identity and Arts Ed - British pioneers of decolonising actor training) and led projects for adults and young people at the city’s lead arts hubs — Oval House (now Brixton House) and Roundhouse.

I arrived in Aotearoa from London in August 2020 with my boyfriend Mark. My freelance work in Tāmaki Makaurau has included work across the range of my practice. I have also taught voice work for trainee yoga teachers at Auckland Yoga Academy. I have also begun work as a youth mentor for The Kindness Institute.

Daniela McKeown

I have been coaching international students and young workers since 2005 and I understand how challenging it is to be placed into the work force without previous experience, especially when living in a new country. I provide training in hospitality skills to help young workers to gain initial abilities to apply for an entry-level job in the hospitality industry. A recent three month sabbatical experience through Southeast Asia inspired me to teach these courses after seeing so many young workers having English as a second language working in hospitality and assisting tourists with enormous excellence.

Dave Atkinson

A dynamic and gifted communicator Dave has worked in a variety of roles at Parenting Place since 2006, most recently stepping into the role of CEO in August 2020. Starting as a presenter with Attitude, Parenting Places youth resilience and life skills programme, Dave delivered talks to over 300,000 students and their parents. In senior leadership roles, Dave has overseen Parenting Places creative, marketing and storytelling work. A gifted communicator with a wealth of life experience, Dave speaks with passion, relatability, humour and hope.

David Hill

Founder of Auckland Walks, a professional guide in Europe and Australasia for over 30 years, former curator of NZ Historic Places Trust.

David Partis

David began his working career at Television New Zealand as an apprentice Television Engineer. After 6 years there David went overseas to work in a computer company in Australia for 2 years and then returned to New Zealand.

David has worked in New Zealand in the computer industry for Trilogy Business Systems, Southmark Computers, Fujitsu, then joined Compaq in 1996 and worked through a number of mergers over a 11 year period and left what was then Hewlett Packard in 2007.

David started a web design business called Designhand Limited and has since gone on to start a training business called Web Design Training Limited from which he teaches courses through Selwyn's community education programme. One of his favourite courses is "How to be Found on the Internet" which in essence is a basic SEO course for beginners.

In 2014 David went on to form an SEO business called Website Optimisers where he now offers a range of SEO and SEM services. Learn more about David and his experience in the web design and optimisation industry at his website Website Optimisers.

Deb Price

I learnt to knit as a child, and when I started crocheting 5-6 years ago things became three-dimensional. Making and installing yarn tags creates a sense of, surprise, humour and mischievousness for myself and others. Decorating trees brings attention to them and invites people to appreciate them further.

I am a fibre artist/craftsperson, enjoy knitting and crochet, I make baskets and teach  these skills to others.

Periodically, I install yarn graffiti/tree tags in the community I live in.

Debbie Thackwray

Debbie gained her qualifications in teaching English as a second language in South Africa, after completing a university degree. In 1996 she moved to Seoul, South Korea and the following year went to Jakarta Indonesia for a further year of teaching abroad. On returning to South Africa she taught at a private university as well as providing one-on-one private lessons to students requiring English language support at various levels. In 2010 she immigrated to Auckland New Zealand, and since then has been busy teaching ESOL classes to all levels at a wide range of English Language institutes. 

Deborah Walker

I have been in the beauty industry for just over four years. I am a makeup artist with a passion to help other women feel more confident in their makeup skills.

I use the Younique brand of makeup which is hypo-allergenic and not tested on animals.

Dharyin Colbert

Dheepa Nedungat

Teaching experience: Massey University Social Policy tutor (Year 1 and 2 Bachelor of Social Work degree programme), Facilitator (in collaboration with ARMS) Finding Your Voice as a Migrant Woman, Project Management Training Bootcamp facilitator - corporate training.

Diana Hubbard

Diana is a tertiary qualified ESOL teacher with over 15 years' experience in teaching, as well as experience at management level.  She has taught different types of ESOL at all levels, including Grammar English, Academic English, English for Life and IELTS.

Dianne Reyburn

I discovered Scottish Country dancing a little later in life, thoroughly enjoy the fun, fitness and friends involved, and I would like to share this experience. 

I am the primary tutor at St Heliers Scottish Dance Club, since 2014. 

Dinny Di Nicola

Art Yoga is a holistic and wellbeing project created based on Therapeutic Art and Mindfulness practice. Our main purpose at Art Yoga is to encourage everyone to express and connect with their inner world.
Our artistic and conscious approach has the purpose to provide community integration and well-being.

Don Cooke

Experienced and enthusiastic dance tutor for 7 years.  Demonstration of basic dance moves to easy music rhythm.  Clear, patient review of taught dance moves and selection of key aspects to help each individual student's learning.  Committed to growth as a teacher and to students to get people into dancing for fun.

Dylan Mann

Mr Dylan Tarragon Mann originally grew up in Auckland, moving to Australia in 1995. In 2016 he returned home to NZ.

Dylan has worked as the head of client advice at iPraxis Financial Services Australia, founder of My Independent Financial Adviers, and AMP financial advise for five years. The experience he brings includes stock trading, options, insurance brokers, government payments, property sales and purchase, economic impacts.

Dylan Mann is registered at the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) as a fully accredited AFA Financial Adviser. "I really love and enjoy my role in the community as a financial doctor (or financial GP). My clients share their private information with me so that I can step into their shoes with my financial experience. I take on my clients' financial concerns/worries and problems and recommend a course of action to medicate the issues to achieve their requested outcomes."

Edrick Corban-Banks

Edrick Corban-Banks. Edrick placed 4th Internationally in 2013 and 2015 in the Concurso de Paella Valenciana de Sueca, the oldest and most prestigious paella contest in Spain. This contest ranks in the top 25 food visits to visit. In 2015, he was named Embajador del Concurso Internacional de Paella Valenciana en el Pacifico. That same year he was invited to be a member of the judging panel, evaluating some of the leading paella restaurants in Valencia Spain. Edrick co-ordinated and directed the four international semi finals in Australia in 2011. In 2018 he was awarded by the Concurso Internacional de Paella Valenciana their highest honour, Paella D’Honor for promotion of Valencian Cuisine.

Edward Elder

Dr Edward Elder is an aspiring academic from the University of Auckland whose research focuses on political marketing, communication and new media in New Zealand and the United States. His work can be found in books such as Marketing Leadership in Government, Political Marketing in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, and Political Marketing in the United States.

Ekaterina Dimieva

Ekaterina is an abstract artist based in Ōrākei, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. She completed her MFA at Elam in 2020.
www.ekaterinadimieva.com  @ekaterina_dimieva

Elena Astakhova

I am the author of the book, Draw Like a Fashion Designer' that will soon be published in English.

In Moscow, I founded my own illustration and design school Art Immersion.  I have worked for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Mercury, Infinity, Lalique, Artistry Flora, Lancome, Reserved, Renault.  I also do clothing design.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lena_astah YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Uf7ni9rLo-P26wywDCBnQ

Elena de Roo

Elena is a children's author who loves writing poems for children. Her poems have been published as picture books and in anthologies and magazines in New Zealand, Australia, USA and the UK. In 2022, she was Children's Writer in Residence at the University of Otago.

Elena Heinrihsone

 

Elena Titkova

Elena is a PhD student at Auckland University of Technology. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology with a dissertation focused on perception of sexual consent in New Zealand. Elena is passionate about teaching and doing research in social psychology.

Elizabeth Drayton

Elizabeth has taught communications since 1984 – and specialises in public speaking. She has experience of working with people who have a wide range of abilities and diverse backgrounds.

She teaches because she loves to help people to improve their communications – and delights in seeing the results students get that they thought were never possible. She is passionate about how effective communication can be transformative for us as individuals, for our confidence, in our relationships, and in achieving our goals.

Elizabeth looks to create real and lasting value for every one of her students. She understands the importance of “public speaking with ease” and has extensive corporate career experience which she draws on to provide examples and insights. A New Zealander by birth, Elizabeth has lived and worked in the UK, Germany, France, and Australia and has travelled extensively.

Ellen Eskildsen

I am passionate about educating people about the joys of creating a productive, sustainable and beautiful edible garden in a suburban sized backyard. I am an experienced gardener who has completed a Permaculture Design Course. I hold weekly workshops in my garden and love to help people getting started with creating their own food forest.

Ema Frost

Ema Frost has been a part of the Auckland art scene since 2010. Ema's artworks are inspired by her fascination and deep respect for the mystery and magic found in Maori and Japanese folklore. 

Not one to stand still, Ema regularly travels extensively, finding inspiration off the beaten path. Like the characters that are hidden in her work, Ema tests the boundaries of her imagination when she loses herself in the unfamiliar land and cityscapes that are beyond our shores. The tales and trinkets she brings back from her travels are her constant reminders that there is more out there than our everyday existence. Ema also leaves a touch of Frost behind in every country she visits, her work can be found in galleries in Japan, India, Germany and across North America. This allows for Ema to collaborate with artists from around the world.

While Ema enjoys travelling and experiencing other cultures, she’s also extremely passionate about giving back to her own community and supports various charities that are close to her heart. Ronald McDonald House, Breast Cancer Cure, KidsCanNZ are just a handful of charities that she supports through donating her work to auctions and fundraisers.

Emily Ding

Emmanuelle Boyer

I have been scrapbooking for more than 20 years (my best friend is a scrapbooking master) in Reunion Island first (that’s where I come from) and then in New Zealand for seven years for my family and friends. I love seeing how much they like what I make for them and they always ask me: how much time did you put into this project?  Although I can’t answer this question - because I don’t count my hours when I’m in my workshop/garage - I’m always grateful for the appreciation of my work. Not everybody can appreciate scrapbooking and I’m glad when I find people who do. For me, a scrapbooking project is one of the best ways to say I love you (although I think a diamond is another good way to say that…), that’s why I would like to teach scrapbooking. Helping people spread love around them makes me very happy.

Eva Lourenco

Eva is a professional Chess coach and has recently completed and achieved her National Instructor title from the FIDE (World Chess Federation).

Evan Woodruffe

Faye Lawand

Faye Lawand is on a mission to change the attitudes of burnout professionals around managing stress.  She is known as NZ's Trusted Internal Conflict Resolution Expert for the Busy Professional. She's an International Speaker, Global Citizen, World-Class Trainer and leading expert in the field of practical solutions for transforming stress.

Before starting her own business, Faye worked for 20 years as an international educator and champion of learning and supporting growth in primary, secondary and tertiary education. She lived and worked in several countries across several continents before making New Zealand her home when she married her Kiwi love. 

Faye is on the mission she’s on as a direct result of her own healing journey dealing with chronic situations that seemingly had no viable solutions. Starting her own business where she can share the programme she has developed for transforming stress, was a dream come true for Faye and the culmination of her own healing journey.

Faye was born into conflict in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War of 1975, and although she left the area of conflict early on and felt she had left it behind, she took the patterns of internal conflict with her. 

It wasn’t until she turned 40 that she started to realise that this internal conflict was leading to the stress and burnout in her life. This began her journey of discovery away from unresolved conflicts to true wellness. 

Now, Faye is able to draw on these experiences and the knowledge that came out of this journey to help deliver a programme that transforms stress and its devastating impacts into a source of true wellness. 

Faye has mentored countless professionals across numerous industries to resolve their internal conflicts and transform their experience of stress. Her offerings allow professionals who are tired, stressed and anxious to experience more resilience and calm in their work lives. Through a combination of proprietary techniques and a range of tools, her mentorship provides a unique approach to boost resilience and wellbeing. She has been invited to speak at universities, work places, wellness centers, schools, yoga studios and NGOs in several countries around the world. 

Felicity McCardle

Fiona de Gruchy

Fiona de Gruchy has many years experience as a graphic designer & photographer using the adobe products and has tutored classes for over a decade.

Fiona Flynn

Fiona Read

Fiorella Tomasi

Fiorella is an experienced Italian language teacher and looks forward to supporting you on your Italian language journey.

Frances Battersby

Frances has extensive overseas ESOL teaching and training experience. She is qualified with an MFA (Aust), Dip JAP and RSA CELTA.

"My name is Manuel Alberto Alvarado and I am a 62-year-old student from Venezuela, who recently took classes with teacher Frances Battersby for the IELTS Academic test. I had the test on October 8, 2016 obtaining an overall band qualification of 8.

I am very happy with my score, and must say that it is the result of the excellent job done by Mrs. Battersby. She is the best English teacher I have known so far. She is very professional, open-minded, knows how to teach in a way that it is very easy and fun to learn, with a thorough knowledge of the English language and teaching method.

I congratulate you for having such high qualified teachers in your college and will recommend it to any person I know in need of learning English as a second language and has to take the IELTS test.

Best regards Manuel Alberto Alvarado" November 2016

From an Academic IELTS student: "Dear Frances, it is rare to find a teacher who is truly attentive to her student's needs and shows she cares.  I am grateful for all the help, support and guidance.  From the bottom of my heart, Osnat K" Sept 2014.

Gabrielle Stoddard

I am Gabrielle and I am based in Tāmaki Makaurau. I sway between having a multimedia art practice and creative workshopping with my community. I am currently training as an art therapist and work in a number of community art centres assisting artists and sharing my knowledge about art mediums.

About cyanotype: We will walk through the origins of the medium and the ways it has been used in the past. Then we'll learn the start to finish process of creating cyanotypes and creative ways of moulding the medium to your own practice. 

Gaurang Ambani

I am an Artificial Intelligence Engineer who works in the exciting field of Computer Vision. I am also a Python programmer and a keen Embedded Systems and Edge Computing enthusiast. In addition to the above, I am also furthering my knowledge of the cloud by attending some advanced courses in Software Development.

Gautam Narayan

Food is my Happy Place - every mouthful, a burst of flavour to please the senses and enrich the soul. I express myself through food – be it creativity, love, sharing or healing. Over the past three decades I have had the good fortune of working as a professional chef in contemporary and traditional kitchens around the world, learning about global food, spices, flavours and recipes.

Inspired by Dr Ed Bauman, I trained and qualified as a Holistic Nutritionist from Bauman College, adding an exciting new dimension to my food philosophy – Eating for Health.  I have set up Nourish Holistic Nutrition, through which, my mission is to provide people with a map for healthful eating, teaching them to harness nutritional capabilities of food.

I help people understand current, non-biased research, translating this into everyday meals to take ownership for the quality and duration of their lives. Even better, I customise this to every person’s unique needs, health challenges, preferences, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

My dream is to create a delicious path to health and vitality through the goodness of food, one family at a time.

Student feedback from Gautam's courses:

"The tutor and his wife were fantastic. They had a wealth of knowledge, involved the whole class and even brought in a special guest on one occasion."

"The passion and enthusiasm of Gautam and Rama was infectious."

"The tutors were experts. Very useful info delivered very clearly."

Gaye Dawa Rowley

 

Geoffrey LeNeve-Arnold

I have a life-long interest in ornithology and I'm a career teacher of visual arts. I have painted and exhibited widely.

George Hajian

George is a Doctoral Candidate at Elam School of Fine Arts, researching masculine representations and the male body. His practice uses collage and printmaking to trace embodiment in culture. Although he uses a variety of sources and materials to make, collage becomes central to George's research through the assemblage of these representations, revealing the role of popular media in shaping the male body.

Giulia Borelli

She is the author and voice of Italian Time Zone, a podcast to learn Italian with history while travelling around the country.

“Giulia is kind, friendly, patient, organised, excellent at making conversation in a relaxed and casual way to make one feel comfortable, and overall a good person that has all the qualities of an outstanding teacher. I have exceeded my expectations for what I could achieve in Italian, and I credit Giulia for making it possible.” Chris, Texas