Mandy Cunis
My name is Amanda (Mandy) Cunis, and I have been working with young children since 1995, beginning in home-based care before completing my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) at The University of Auckland in 2007. I’ve been teaching professionally since 2008 and truly feel that early childhood education is where I’m meant to be.
Originally from the United Kingdom, New Zealand has been home for most of my
adult life. My husband Shayne and I raised our two sons here, and now I love spending time with my grandsons whenever I can.
I am passionate about creating strong foundations for learning through play, relationships, and experiences that are meaningful to children. Inspired by the work of Lev Vygotsky, I value learning that is social, joyful, and deeply connected to children’s lives and interests. I believe childhood should hold opportunities for curiosity, creativity, freedom of expression, and the confidence to fully engage with the world around them.
One of the aspects of teaching I enjoy most is creating learning stories that make children’s learning visible to them and their whānau. I love weaving children’s experiences, discoveries, and developing ideas into meaningful narratives that help them see themselves as capable and valued learners.
I especially enjoy the energy and spontaneity of working with children aged two to five.
Elizabeth Wells
Kia ora, my name is Liz Wells
I’ve been playing and learning alongside tamariki and whānau at Shining Starz since 2015, and it has truly become my second home. As both a teacher and a mum, I can personally vouch for the nurturing, supportive, and home-away-from-home environment we create here. I have raised two of my three sons at Shining Starz, and teaching alongside my colleagues over time has been a huge part of my life.
My husband and I have three active boys, so our weekends are often filled with soccer games or spending time at Blues games cheering from the sidelines!
I deeply value building strong reciprocal relationships with tamariki, whānau, and our wider community, recognising that learning flourishes when children experience a genuine sense of belonging and connection.
I am passionate about project approaches, meaningful literacy experiences, and teamwork, creating opportunities for children to explore their ideas, strengths, and interests in ways that nurture their mana and confidence as learners.
I love people and am naturally curious. I enjoy learning about different cultures, languages, and ways of being, embracing the diversity that enriches our learning community. I am committed to being a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner, always growing alongside the children and families I work with.
In my personal time, I love being creative, and enjoy facepainting at childrens parties. I also love the dramatic arts — dressing up, singing, and dancing — and I’m always looking for an opportunity to celebrate a fun theme or dress-up day at the centre! I believe children can sense when someone genuinely loves being around them, and I hope tamariki feel that I truly love being here and embrace being the biggest kid in the classroom.
I feel incredibly grateful to be part of the Shining Starz whānau and kaurilands community.
Rajneeta Chand
Bula, Namaste and Kia Ora, my name is Rajneeta Chand. I have been part of the Shining Starz whanau since 2017 and have over 13 years of experience in the early childhood education sector.
I was born in the beautiful islands of Fiji and moved to New Zealand with my family in 1999. Growing up with a rich cultural heritage has shaped who I am and influences the values I bring to my teaching practice. I enjoy celebrating diversity and creating an inclusive environment where children and families from all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Education from University of Auckland. I then completed a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) through New Zealand Tertiary College. My studies have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to support children in their learning journey and create meaningful educational experiences.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with amazing people both within Shining Starz and the broader community. I thrive on collaboration and believe strongly in the power of community. The saying “it takes a village” is at the heart of my philosophy and reflects the importance of working together to support children's learning and holistic development. Through meaningful partnerships and teamwork, we can foster an inclusive environment where children feel safe, connected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
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.