Meet Our Team
Lisa
Tumuaki
Professional Leader
Lisa has been at Capital City Preschool for over 22 years. Lisa strongly believes in the importance of Early Childhood Education and is passionate about celebrating children’s uniqueness and culture, and she loves photography and technology. Lisa believes in using technology to enhance and extend children’s strengths, interests and passions and to promote reflective thinking. Lisa enjoys travel and spending time with her friends and family, and is the proud mother of two young tamariki.
Alhene
Kaiako
Teacher
Alhene Castro joined our team in 2023. Alhene is a Primary Qualified kaiako with over 11 years experience in both New Zealand and the Philippines. Alhene is passionate about music, dance, creative arts, physical education and supporting children’s social and emotional well-being. We are so excited to have Alhene on our team.
Pia
Kaiako
Teacher
Pia joined the team in February 2024 and is an ECE qualified kaiako from the Philippines. Pia brings over 14 years of teaching experience, with the last six years here in New Zealand. Pia likes to provide a learning environment where the interests and strengths of ngā tamariki are in its core as well as embrace the spontaneity each day brings. Pia also likes to set up ngā tamariki to be kind and responsible citizens, competent and confident learners who’s contributions are seen and valued. Outside of work Pia loves discovering all the amazing walking tracks around Wellington and loves to be in the kitchen baking treats or following new food trends.
Zofia
Kairīwhi Kaiako
Relief Kaiako
Zofia joined our reliving team in October 2018 after completing a Teaching Experience with us. Zofia then completed her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) at Victoria University in December 2020 and joined our team permanently. Zofia is passionate about art, her polish heritage and fashion and she is looking forward to sharing these passions with our learning community. After a sucessful year as our Kaiarataki Mātauranga | Education Leader Zofia will return in mid 2026 and join our amazing team of Kairīwhi Kaiako | relief Kaiako.
Debi
Kairīwhi Kaiako
Relief Kaiako
Debi has been at Capital City Preschool for over 20 years. Before becoming one of our star relievers, Debi led our curriculum design and our collaborative and respectful teaching team for 19 years. Debi is a fantastic artist and her creativity nurtures our tamariki to express themselves through their artwork. Debi is committed to continuing to nurture our community of learners as well as being a more hands on Nana in her spare time. Debi is a proud nana to 4 beautiful mokopuna, and her weekends are spent with whānau and renovating her beautiful cottage.
Narisara
Kairīwhi Kaiako
Relief Kaiako
In 2025 we welcomed back Narisara to our teaching team as a Kairīwhi kaiako. Narisara brings with her more than 20 years teaching experience as a preschool teacher both here in New Zealand and in Thailand. Narisara is passionate about art, music and exploring cultures. Narisara is a proud mum and wife.
Tracy
Kaimahi
Finance Administrator
Tracy joined our team in 2011 as our Finance Administrator, providing administration and financial support to the teaching team and Board of Trustees. Tracy began her journey working with Early Childhood Sector in 2000 when her twin boys were 2 years old, 26 years later, Tracy continues to love working in the ECE sector and is passionate about working with not-for-profit organisations like us. Today Tracy works for three Early Learning Service’s and enjoys having 3 grown children.