Our Team

Marie Anderson – Owner/Centre Manager.

Marie has a Diploma of Teaching and over twenty years’ experience in the primary and secondary education sector. In February 2022 she bought Kereru Kindy and loves it. For her the pleasure is in providing opportunities for tamariki to experience joy and happiness while receiving a good foundation on which to enter primary school.

She says she is most pleased by the level of excellence provided by the teachers in the kindy’s exciting programme, along with the character-filled nature of their facilities.

Marie has three adult children and seven mokopuna (3 girls, 4 boys) aged 1 to 10 years. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her whānau.

Paige Cradock – Kaiako (Qualified ECE)

Paige is a qualified Kaiako who joined the Kereru Kindergarten team at the end of March. She holds an Early Childhood Education degree, which she completed through Te Rito Maioha, and brings nearly 13 years of experience working in the early childhood sector. She has also previously worked as a 2IC.

What Paige enjoys most about her role is engaging with tamariki, building special bonds with them and watching them flourish and grow.

Paige particularly values the strong sense of whanaungatanga at Kereru Kindergarten and the many different resources available to engage and inspire tamariki. She also loves the setting and the welcoming environment it provides for children to learn, play and explore.

Outside of work, Paige enjoys shopping and spending time with her whānau. In her free time, she loves heading out on adventures and making the most of quality time with those closest to her.

Naomi Kriletich – Kaitautoko – Teacher Support

Naomi has been part of the Kereru Kindergarten team for a year, working in Teacher Support while studying towards her Level 3 and 4 Early Childhood Education certificates. Before beginning her studies, Naomi had previously worked in teaching, giving her valuable experience to bring to her role at Kereru.

What Naomi enjoys most about her job is teaching and spending time with the children. She especially loves the friendly, kind and humorous team at Kereru Kindergarten, along with the wonderful tamariki who make each day rewarding.

Naomi is a proud mum to a son and daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys learning guitar, going on adventures, sketching, drawing and painting. In her free time, you’ll often find her at the beach, enjoying bush walks, or spending time with her children and animals.

Sherena Bowers – Qualified Teacher

Sherena Bowers is an early childhood teacher with over 10 years of experience. She trained in Whangārei through Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa in 2013. Her study was strongly based in te reo Māori and te ao Māori, and guided by kaupapa Māori principles. She has worked as a teacher, head teacher, and 2IC in both community and private ECE day care centres across Northland and Auckland, as well as for the Auckland and Northland Kindergarten Association.

Sherena grew up on a farm in Ruawai and now lives in Whangārei with her partner. In her spare time, she enjoys being at the beach, fresh seafood, listening to music, practicing yoga and meditation, and attending music festivals.

Her passion is working with children and supporting their learning, wellbeing, and growth. She believes the first 1000 days of life are vital, and that loving relationships and everyday moments help children thrive. Her practice is informed by Nathan Wallis’ neuroscience work, supporting her understanding of how the brain develops and how to respond to children with care and connection.

Sherena’s teaching philosophy is based on free play, empowerment, and self-help, inspired by Waldorf (Steiner) principles. She values natural materials, creativity, and gentle rhythms to support confident, kind, and capable children.

What Sherena loves most about Kererū Kindy is seeing children light up as they explore, create, and discover new things. She enjoys being part of their everyday adventures, watching them grow in confidence, kindness, and curiosity. She treasures the relationships she builds with the children, their whānau, and the team she works with, and feels grateful to be part of a place where laughter, creativity, and learning happen every single day.

Nolufefe “Fefe” Meh Che – Kaiako (Qualified ECE)

Nolufefe, known as Fefe, joined Kereru Kindergarten in February 2026 as a Kaiako. She is a qualified and trained teacher with three years of New Zealand experience and brings a genuine passion for making a positive difference in the lives of tamariki.

For Fefe, one of the most rewarding parts of being a Kaiako is making an impact in children’s lives and watching them grow into confident, capable individuals.
She particularly enjoys Kereru Kindergarten’s easy-going and friendly environment, where teamwork and collaboration are an important part of each day. Being part of a supportive team while helping tamariki learn and develop makes Kereru a special place for her.

Outside of work, Fefe enjoys running, dancing, watching movies and going to the gym. In her free time, she particularly enjoys relaxing with a good movie or keeping active at the gym.

Marcia Wilson – Van Driver

Marcia has been driving and liaising with parents and children for Kereru Kindy since late 2020. Combined with her love of communicating with children and adults alike, the job she has now is ideal. She’s thriving in an environment in which she can meet and communicate with children, parents, and colleagues but her fire is really lit by seeing happy little children at the end of the day.

Marcia is mother to two young men (33 and 42), and enjoys music, art, beach-combing and a spot of fishing. In her spare time a trip to the bach, boating up the harbour, fishing and collecting kai moana hits the spot, along with spending time with friends.