Mandy Cunis
I graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and began my professional career working with children, however, I have been involved in childcare (home based) for over 20 years.
I am married to Shayne, a Kiwi. We moved to New Zealand from London in 1994 and had our boys, Josh and Luke, just about off our hands.
Elizabeth Wells
I have been teaching and learning alongside young children since 2003. I completed my Bachelor of Teaching ECE from Unitec in 2004.
I am passionate about enhancing project work, and am inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning. I am particularly interested in the development of pre literacy skills and finding natural ways to foster the love of communication in its many forms.
I live locally in Glen Eden, with my husband and son born in 2013. My interests include singing, drama, storytelling, arts and crafts and netball.
Rajneeta Chand
Bula, Namaste and Kia Ora, my name is Rajneeta Chand and I have been part of the Shining Starz whanau since 2017.
I was born in the beautiful Islands of Fiji and at the age of 10 moved to New Zealand with my parents and my older brother.
I have a Bachelors of Art degree with double major in English and Education. After completing my degree at the University of Auckland, I went on to study further at New Zealand Tertiary College where I finished my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Cecelia (Keyu) Liu
Kia ora! I’m Cecelia, a qualified early childhood teacher with a Master of Teaching and Learning (ECE) from Auckland University of Technology, where I graduated with Distinction. Over the past years, I’ve gained teaching experience across a variety of cultural and educational settings. I’m very excited to be joining Shining Starz!
I’m originally from Chengdu, a beautiful city in southwest China, well known for its spicy food and as the home of giant pandas. I love travelling and discovering new places, and I’ve been fortunate to study and work in China, Sweden, and Singapore. Meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about their cultures is something I truly enjoy.
I adore working with children - their curiosity, imagination, and growth bring me so much joy and fulfilment. I particularly enjoy creating engaging learning environments and supporting children’s exploration through creative arts and STEM learning experiences.
I believe every child is a unique seed that blossoms in their own time, and my hope is to nurture a warm, inclusive, and caring environment where each child can truly flourish. :)
Luna (Naiqi) Lu
Kia ora koutou, 你好，my name is Luna.
I originally come from China and moved to Auckland in 2017 for my studies. Over the years, Aotearoa New Zealand has become a special place for me. I really appreciate the kindness of the people, the rich cultural diversity, and the strong emphasis on community and respect that are reflected in early childhood education here.
I graduated from AUT in November last year with a qualification in Early Childhood Education. I feel grateful to be working in this field and supporting children’s learning and wellbeing.
My teaching philosophy is influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, where I see children as capable, confident learners. I value environments, relationships, and creativity as important parts of learning, and I enjoy creating inviting spaces where tamariki can explore, express ideas, and develop a strong sense of belonging.
I feel honoured to work alongside tamariki and their whānau, supporting their learning journeys and sharing in their growth and discoveries.