Board Members

Finance Director

Kerry is the proud and passionate owner of Selwyn Kids Limited and DAA – Chartered Accountants holding a degree in Commerce and Management from Lincoln University. Kerry has an outstanding knowledge of the NZ tax system and specialises in Rural Accounting, Bloodstock accounting, Trust development and all areas of financial reporting. Kerry is a devoted Canterbury & Crusaders rugby supporter and an ardent horse racing fan who currently has shares in a syndicate of thoroughbreds and has shared in the ownership of standardbreds. Kerry is married to Rebecca, has two wonderful boys, Cameron and Keegan and a cheeky daughter, Cushla.

Board Member

Hi my name is Larce Kippen, and I am based in Takanini, Auckland.

I have been a Home-based Educator for the last 7 years and a supportive member of the NZ Homebased Childcare Association. I am also the Operations Manager for The Wildlings In-Home Childcare Service, where I manage the day-to-day operations and co-ordinate all things Educator related. This includes managing the Visiting Teachers and making sure that The Wildlings In-Home Childcare Service remains compliant, up to date and informed on all new changes within the Home-based sector. I am passionate about the compliance of the sector and advocating for Educators. I believe that being an Educator, Operations Manager and having the opportunity to sit on the NZHBCA Board encouarges interest from other Educators as they feel represented by one of their own.  There is a strong comradery amongst us all and my representation on the board allows an open door for more involvement from Educators and an understanding from our perspective as Educators. I feel that my knowledge from both sides of the home-based spectrum is invaluable to the board and brings a different aspect to conversations.

In my personal life I am mum to four awesome children. My firm belief in nurturing young children led me to quit the corporate world 11 years ago where I was involved in Project Management and HR, so I could be there for my own children, and I’ve never looked back. When my youngest turned one, I discovered home-based education after many years of my older children attending childcare. I pursued this option for my youngest child and even though she is now at primary school I continue to provide care for other families and am passionate about advocating for the home-based sector.

Board member

Tena Koutou, it is with much excitement that I stand to be a Board member for the New Zealand Homebased Childcare Association. I have been teaching since early 1994 and hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education & Care, and Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and my teaching experiences over these past 28 years (13 of those in homebased) have provided me with a wealth of knowledge and growth. These experiences include: working as a teacher in childcare centres in both Australia and New Zealand, working as a Nanny, a homebased educator when my own children were pre-schoolers, working as an administrator & teacher in a Montessori Preschool, and working in a start-up role as a Visiting Teacher for a homebased company in the area I where I was living.

It was the experience of working as a homebased educator with my own children that really ignited my passion for homebased care. I am now the owner and operating manager of Nurture@Home, in the top of the South Island, where we have been operating for eight years, and am absolutely passionate about homebased childcare and love what I do every day. I believe from having the first-hand experience of being an educator, I understand how much time, effort and love they put into their every day. I remain part of the Visiting Teacher team and am so glad I have found my niche in the industry – supporting educators’ knowledge and growth every day as they nurture and support the tamariki in their care.

Prior to COVID-19 I used to look forward to the NZHBCA conferences where we could all come together as one voice, learning from one another and working together collaboratively promoting Homebased Childcare across New Zealand. The NZHBCA has been a great voice for our sector, and we need to work together so that this continues to stay strong, advocating as one.