Little Seeds for a Better Future
The Conscious Kids Team
Maria Mariotti
Co-Founder and Director
Maria is an Italian mum who has been traveling around the world with her family (her 3 kids were born on 3 different continents!) to study and learn from indigenous cultures, different philosophies, and natural therapies.
As well as being one of Conscious Kids' co-founders, Maria is our Business Developer & Project Manager. Her knowledge and experience, combined with her playful soul, allow her to see the bigger picture of Conscious Kids and its future. Maria is the epitome of a free spirit and can-do attitude!
Rita Pontes
Co-Founder and Director
Rita is a Brazilian mum of two girls, a qualified Graphic Designer, and a Certified Early Childhood Teacher. She is also the co-founder of Conscious Kids, where she works as a Nature Educator by day and Creative Director by night.
Her journey into Nature Pedagogy began after moving to New Zealand in 2011. Today, she lives and breathes it as a Nature Kindy Leader in the Aussie bushlands during school terms, and she runs nature-based holiday programmes in Aotearoa. Double the play, double the joy!
Harriet Brown
Conscious Kids Co-Founder
Harriet Brown Co-Founder of Conscious Kids Harriet is a mother of two daughters and a qualified teacher with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science.
During the school term, she could be found exploring Long Bay Regional Park with a group adventurous preschoolers from the Nature Kindergarten she previously. With a strong passion for encouraging children to play outdoors, regardless of the weather, Harriet was continually inspired by the significant growth she witnessed in her Nature Kindergarten students.
Together with Maria and Rita, she founded CONSCIOUS KIDS to extend these benefits to school-age children.
In Memoriam
Tref Turner
Conscious Kids Lead Educator
Kia Ora team! I’m Tref Turner, also known as Treffy T, and I am a registered teacher for Kindergarten and Primary school.
My journey into the outdoor environment as a third teacher brought me to the amazing Conscious Kids team, and seven years later, I’m here. During my time with CK, I have trained staff, provided curriculum advice, and developed individual plans for families needing extra support. My approach emphasizes autonomy, self-esteem, and a child-led philosophy.
I look forward to meeting all of you and the incredible ‘Conscious Kids’!