The Seedlings Explorers

Trina & Tania germinated Seedlings from a seed of an idea in 2013 to reality in 2015. The community that has abundantly grown from these thoughts is a constant inspiration to us.

headshot of a smiling man

Trina Upson

Kia ora and warmest greetings

I grew up right here in Taranaki under our mighty Maunga Taranaki who watches over and guides me. In my younger years I spent many days exploring our national park and playing/exploring on my parents rural property. Much of my childhood was deeply connected within nature.

My Husband Pete and I have 3 adult children, who all have enjoyed connection to the same rural environment playing at my childhood home where my parents still live.

My early childhood experience spans over 26 years, I have experience in home-based care, education and care and Kindergarten.

My journey to germinate Seedlings with Tania came from a passion for nature being accessible and freely explored and based around relationship…with self, with others and with papa-tu-a-nuku.

I facilitate Seedlings Babies and Seedlings Toddlers which Pennie Brownlee has created from her research from the learnings of Dr Emmi Pikler and her passion for ‘just noticing’ and the relationship is all”.

Seedlings is a whanau and a community of learners which is an absolute delight to be part of.

Tania MitchellKo Kawhia te moana,ko Kinohaku papakainga,ko Tania toku ingoa.I grew up in Kinohaku on the Kawhia harbour, and have been influenced by the isolated, family focused, rugged coastal community. As a young family we returned to Kinohaku to…

Tania Mitchell

Na te moana Kawhia i marie toku wairua,

Ko taku tupuna i mahi ki te Kiritehere,

I kite ahau i te harikoa i te noho tahi me te whānau i runga i nga papa paru,

Ko Kinohaku papakainga, Ko Marokopa te whare whānau,

Na a matou tamariki matou i arahi ki Ngamotu noho ai.

I grew up in Kinohaku on the Kawhia harbour, and have been influenced by the isolated, family focused, rugged coastal community. As a young family we returned to Kinohaku to give Conner and Lee a similar start to their lives, and then moved to New Plymouth in 2001.

I have experienced Play Centre, Montessori & Kindergarten learning environments. I first met Pennie Brownlee (Dance With Me In The Heart) as a young parent in the 1990’s, & she continues to influence my life. My passion for children, community & connection to nature led me to Nature Education and the germinating of Seedlings with Trina. I am passionate about individual creative expression & how this can be built upon as a community.  

“Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap” St. Hildegard of Bingen