Watene Nepe

Wayne Lloyd

I have had over 25 years’ experience as an IELTS and ESOL teacher, examiner, and trainer. My IELTS experience extends not only in New Zealand but all around the world with postings in Indonesia, Colombia, Japan, and Vietnam. I am well known and an expert in this field with a mission and a passion to share my knowledge to others. I believe face to face classes covering the strategies and skills needed with direct feedback on writing is essential.

Student comment July 2024: 

Good afternoon,

I would like to send this email to express my congratulations on the courses you offer. Since the beginning of the year, I have been participating in your English courses.

Firstly, I would like to mention Wayne, who is an excellent teacher and has demonstrated a solid knowledge of IELTS. Moreover, he has an exceptional ability to explain difficult concepts clearly. His patience and ability to adapt lessons according to different learning styles ensure that all students can understand the content. He is without a doubt a great teacher, and I would recommend everyone to take IELTS classes with him.

Secondly, Christine. Through dynamic activities and games, she motivated us to improve our pronunciation. Her experience inspires us to travel more and to have more confidence when speaking English. Finally, the teacher who replaced Christine in the pronunciation class was excellent in my opinion. Although I only had one class with her, I could clearly appreciate her knowledge and experience.

Thank you for offering such enriching courses and for having such dedicated and talented teachers.

Best regards, FP

Xander Hough

Xander Hough is a leadership and communications coach with a background in psychology and a warm, engaging teaching style. After two decades coaching people around the world — from senior executives to everyday professionals — he’s now based in Auckland and passionate about helping others become the best version of themselves. His work focuses on how we express ourselves, connect with others, and lead with confidence. Xander draws on his studies in communication, personality, and social psychology, and he’s known for making big ideas feel practical, human, and often a little bit fun. An experienced trainer, his classes are interactive, supportive, and designed to help people grow.  He regularly speaks and writes articles and blogs on different workplace topics as well as crafting songs, scripts and other creative writing pieces.  He is currently writing his first non-fiction book, From Senior to C-Suite on the psychology of leadership where he shares his personal experiences.

Yoko Onishi

I was born and raised in Japan, where I developed a deep appreciation for traditional culture and handmade crafts inspired by nature. Growing up surrounded by this rich heritage, I've always been passionate about arts and crafts.

Ten years ago, I discovered the art of macramé, one of the oldest crafts in the world. Inspired by this technique, I founded a workshop in Auckland focused on teaching children how to create beautiful macramé pieces. Over time, the workshop has expanded to include adults as well. My approach blends macramé techniques with the natural beauty of crystals, which I believe are gifts from Mother Nature herself.

Yu Takano

I’m a Japanese pastry chef and mum. I have been living New Zealand for 5 years and I run a small patisserie business from home. I hope to share my love of baking with you all.

Yvonne van Dongen

Yvonne van Dongen has been a travel editor and writer for over 20 years. She's edited the travel section of the largest newspaper in New Zealand as well as the country's first dedicated glossy travel magazine. She's worked at Conde Nast Traveler in New York. Yvonne has won numerous travel writing awards including a fellowship to study travel writing at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

Yvonne has a BA in English & Religious Studies, as well as a post-graduate diploma of Journalism from the University of Canterbury. In 2016 she did an MA in Creative Writing at the IIML in Wellington. She also teaches travel writing at the University of Auckland, and lives in Auckland City.

Zarahn Southon

Zarahn Southon is an Auckland based painter of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent. On completion of a Bachelor of Visual Arts (1998) he had several solo shows and in 2005 was awarded a Contemporary Pacific Art Scholarship, which funded study in Florence, Italy. In 2007 he was awarded a scholarship from the classical art school Studio Escalier in the Loire Valley, France. He then furthered his studies with the senior lecturer at Studio Escalier and pioneer of Restructured Realism Ted Seth Jacobs in San Francisco. Southon regards these periods of study in Italy, France and America as highly influential on his current practice.

Zoë Nash

Zoë Nash is a multidisciplinary artist, based in Tamaki Makaurau. Her work is a celebration of vibrant colour, pattern, shape and form. Making use of a range of different media, her works show a slow, mindful accumulation of repeated and detailed marks that draw from selected plant and flower motifs as inspiration. With over 25 years’ teaching experience, Zoë is passionate about helping others to creatively “bloom”.