Meet the team

The School maintains high standards as a Swimming New Zealand Quality Swim School. Our Instructors are well trained in our Initial Teacher Training Programme, and receive ongoing professional development to maintain these high standards. This training compliments the Swimming Teaching Industry Qualifications.

Our Teacher Education Programme led to NZSCTA awarding both Margaret (1996) and Marian (2007) New Zealand Swim Teacher of the Year awards. In 2014 AUSTSWIM (NZ) awarded Tracey Swim Teacher of the Year for Infant and Preschool Aquatics, and Samantha for Swim Teacher of the Year for Swimming and Water Safety.

Margaret Howes - Director, Mairangi Swim School

As a competitive swimmer, Margaret Howes was one of New Zealand’s elite. She held numerous New Zealand and Australian records and is a Commonwealth Games Medalist.

Margaret’s passion for swimming and the desire for others to share her love of the water led her to a career in swimming teaching. She holds a New Zealand Teaching Certificate and the Advanced New Zealand Teaching Certificate. Margaret is also a Swimming New Zealand-appointed evidence gatherer for the Assistant Swim Teachers Award (ASTA).

In 1996 Margaret was awarded Swim Teacher of the Year, and in 1999 was awarded the Nan Nevin Memorial Trophy for Services to Swim Teaching in New Zealand. In 2001 she was appointed a Master Teacher by NZSCAT — one of only six in New Zealand.

Margaret was recognised at 2009 NZSCAT conference as the only swimming teacher in New Zealand to have more than one former pupil represent New Zealand on the 2008 Olympic Games Swimming team in addition to other former pupils who have represented NZ in other sports such as Rowing, Kayaking and Triathlon.

Margaret is most proud that the Swim School has taught many thousands of local children how to swim well. She values this as her greatest achievement.

Tanya - Administration Manager

Tanya joined Mairangi Swim School in 2003, teaching babies and preschoolers as well as working in the office. In 2006, she became the Swim Schools Administration Manager, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge to the position.

Born and bred on the North Shore, Tanya has always enjoyed sport and the outdoors. Having passed her love of sport on to her two daughters, she spends most weekends supporting them in their sports.

Linda Howes - Staff Training Development Manager / Teacher

Teaching swimming alongside her other professions, initially a PE teacher, and later as a recruitment consultant, Linda has been involved in all aspects of the sport of swimming.

One of the daughters of Margaret and Noel Howes, founders of the Mairangi Swim School, Linda competed for many years and held a national age group title. She has coached, was club captain at the North Shore Swimming Club and has been involved in the administration of the sport both at regional and national levels.

Linda began teaching at the swim school in 1990, and has over 15 years’ swimming teaching experience both in NZ and England. She holds a Diploma in Swimming Teaching and a Level One Coaching certificate.

She holds a Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Teaching and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Administration.

Anita - Reception

Anita's family have always loved the water. Her husband was a life guard at North Piha Surf Life Saving Club so having her son's learn to swim was a must!

Both Anita's sons were taught to swim at Mairangi Swim School and now her granddaughter is learning to swim here.

Anita joined the Mairangi Swim School team in 2005 and most days can be found overseeing the office duties.

Marian - Teacher and Reception

Marian has taught at the Mairangi Swim School since 1993. Her expertise as a teacher was recognised by our national association NZSCAT (Swim Coaches and Teachers of New Zealand) in 2007 with the New Zealand Swim Teacher of the Year Award.

Marian’s interest in swimming teaching began as a 14 year old helping her father to teach children to swim, and from her experience as a competitive swimmer. Marian is qualified to teach swimming to all age groups and abilities, and her specialty lies in teaching the Baby and Toddler, Preschooler and School age ranges.

Now that her two children are grown up, Marian enjoys spending much of her spare time enjoying various leisure pursuits.

Fiona - Teacher

Growing up in Fiji, Fiona learnt to swim before she was three and has been in and around water her whole life. Joining Mairangi Swim School in early 2019, she is a strong advocate for water safety and is passionate about our Learn to Swim program. Fiona says her favourite part is always the moment a toddler or child swims all on their own for the very first time!
Fiona is currently teaching across multiple levels including babies, kindy and school age children.
When she's not in the pool, Fiona loves long walks with the dog on her local beach, planning her next travel escape, and lazy Sunday's spent with family and friends.

Shellee - Reception

Shellee joined our office in March 2013. Shellee is a real 'people person' and loves small children, so working at the Swim School is a perfect role for her.

Shellee lives in the Bays with her husband and 2 daughters. Both daughters learned to swim at Mairangi Swim School from the Baby/Toddler classes right through to the end of the School Program. They are now competitive synchronised swimmers with her eldest daughter now coaching.

Shellee spends her spare time doing Pilates and out walking, either locally or up North while staying in the family caravan.

Philippa - Teacher

Philippa learnt to swim as a four year old and swam competitively and played waterpolo through her teens. Philippa competed at a national age group level and specialised in Breaststroke. Philippa wants to help children learn to swim so that they can enjoy the water as much as she did growing up. Philippa joined us in 2014 and teaches Babies, Kindy, School Aged and Adult Classes.

Philippa has two sons, and before they were born she was completing her Bachelor of Leisure Studies and worked for 11 years' in the Travel and Tourism industry and as a Customer Services Manager both in NZ and in the UK.

Maddie - Teacher

Maddie is working towards a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood. In addition to her work at the Swim School she also spends three days a week in a local private preschool.
Maddie joined our team in 2022. She teaches babies, kindy and school aged classes.

Amelia - Teacher

Amelia joined our team in 2023. She teaches Baby and Toddler, Kindy and School Aged classes. Amelia is studying towards a postgraduate qualification in Health Science. And when she is not teaching in the pool she is either studying hard or supporting her undergraduate students to complete their studies. Amelia spent much of her youth living abroad and participated in competitive swimming into her mid teens.

Melissa - Teacher

Melissa joined our team in 2022. She teaches Baby and Toddler classes, Kindy classes and School Aged classes.
Melissa swam throughout her school years competing in school competitions. She is a keen dancer and practices yoga as well. Melissa is studying at University working to qualify as a Child Psychologist.

Chantelle - Reception

Chantelle joined our team in 2020. She works in the office making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. She takes pride in being super organised and tries her best to make sure the swimmers have everything they need so their lessons are successful.
When not at the pool Chantelle is studying hard to complete a conjoint Arts and Law degree at University.

Cameron - Teacher

Cameron loves water sports. He competes in Surf Lifesaving and was a former top competitive age group swimmer. Cameron also volunteers at the Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and formerly coached junior clubbies.
Cameron teaches school aged classes and adults. He joined our team in 2020. When he is not in the water he is studying at University.

Abbey - Teacher

Abbey joined our team in 2020. She teaches babies, school aged children and adults and also works in the office.
Abbey has a strong background in water sports and also learnt to swim at the Mairangi Swim School. She coached and competed in Synchronised Swimming, being selected for both Development and National teams. Prior to focusing her attention on Synchronised Swimming, Abbey enjoyed dancing and was also a competitive swimmer. When Abbey is not in the pool she is studying at University.

Caitlin - Teacher

Caitlin learned to swim at the Mairangi Swim School and went on to compete in swimming. Caitlin volunteers at the Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and patrols at ocean based competitive events as well. Caitlin joined our team in 2022. She teaches school aged children.
Outside of the pool, Caitlin is completing her studies and participates in Drama, Musical Theatre and Choir shows.

Mackenzie - Teacher

Mackenzie is involved in competing and coaching multiple water sports. She plays and coaches waterpolo and competes and coaches in Surf Lifesaving. Mackenzie also competed in swimming as a junior and in age groups. When she is not in the pool or at the beach, Mackenzie is working hard to complete her studies.
Mackenzie teaches school aged and preschool children and joined the team in 2023.