Our People

Samantha Ives, Centre Manager

Kia ora, I am Sam and I am the centre manager for Lollipops
Waiwhetu. I have been teaching for the past 12+ years since
completing my bachelors degree in early childhood education at
Victoria University. I love making great spaces for children, where
they can grow, learn and develop. Community is so important in
the love and care of our Tamariki and I do this through developing
strong relationships. My husband and I have 3 daughters, Harper,
Elsie and Poppy and they are my world. Majority of my spare time
is spent with them and our extended family.

Malia Taito, Assistant Centre Manager

Kia ora, Hello and Talofa Lava! My name is Malia Taito, I am
Samoan and hold a fully qualified New Zealand teachers
registration in early childhood education. I have been involved in
the early learning sector for nearly 30 years and have been
teaching and involved in a few centres around the Hutt Valley area.
I am very passionate about learning and getting to know different
cultures including Te Reo Maori. I am a big fan of using natural
resources and loose parts where tamariki can be supported and
encouraged to use their own working theories on how things work.

Lauren Shrugg, Team Leader

Kia ora, my name is Lauren and I am one of the kaiako here at
Lollipops Waiwhetu. I have been teaching for over 20 years with
experience in all age groups. My real passion lies with infants and
toddlers and this is my favourite age group to work with.

I live in Lower Hutt with my husband, 3 children and our Samoyed (dog). In my spare time, I enjoy exploring new places with my family and finding a quiet moment to enjoy a new book.

Jojo Woodman-Smith, Team Leader

Kia ora, I have been a teacher at Lollipops Waiwhetu for 6+ years
working predominantly in the Kiwi and Fantail rooms. I am now
the team leader in the preschool space.

I have 3 sons and when they were young, I worked in the corporate environment which provided me with an understanding of the balancing act of being in fulltime employment while having children in early childcare. I believe in children having active minds and bodies by encouraging and supporting all children to participate in the activities at Lollipops.

Tamika Fonoti, Centre Admin

Fakaalofa lahi atu and Talofa Lava! I am Tamika and I am the centre administrator for Lollipops Waiwhetu. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Pacific Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in 2018. I first started my ECE journey in December of 2022 at Lollipops Petone before moving here in June 2023.

I have loved working within the ECE sector and I really enjoy interacting with the families and children here. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me in the near future.