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about US
Kia ora,
My name is Anna, and I am the owner, operator, and a qualified teacher here at Ruru House. You’ll often find me alongside our tamariki and kaiako, sharing in the day’s play, learning, and laughter.
Our manager, Nic, works closely with me in the office and is also part of our Te Kōpae teaching team. She brings a calm presence, strong leadership, and a wealth of knowledge that supports both our kaiako and whānau.
My husband Nathan works locally and enjoys being behind the scenes — tinkering in his shed, inventing creative learning resources, and offering plenty of moral support. Our eldest son Joe is now at school, while our youngest, Eddie, attends Ruru and brings a bright spark of curiosity and fun to our days.
We live next door with our dogs, Oscar and Pippin, so Ruru truly feels like an extension of our home. You may also meet other members of our wider whānau, as Ruru House is nestled on our family land — a place filled with warmth, connection, and care.
I was born and raised on the land where Ruru is built and reside next door. I feel connected to this land and feel a responsibility (kaitiaki) to ensure it is nurtured. I have had a vision for long time to be able to offer our extended family land as a place for discovery and learning. A base for children to foster a love of nature and that supports children to take healthy risks to develop their sense of self.
Before embarking on my teaching journey we lived in Wellington then abroad and worked in a range of roles that focused on business administration and IT support. The opportunity arose to come back to settle in Lepperton, a real slice of paradise in our corner of the world. The urge to become a teacher grew and I became qualified through Canterbury University in 2011.
We hope you feel at home at Ruru House 💚
246 Richmond Road, Lepperton
Our Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30 am - 5.15 pm
Centre owner
Anna Ryder (BTchLn ECE)
p: 021 156 3300
“Education is not a linear process of preparation for the future: it is about cultivating the talents and sensibilities through which we can live our best lives in the present and create the future for ourselves””