Alina Efrim

Elected Member

Kia ora everyone,

My name is Alina Efrim, and I am honoured to introduce myself as a new member of the Wairau Valley Special School Board.

I am a proud mother of two boys: Gabriel (18) and Stephan (13), who is currently a student at WVSS. Originally from Romania, I moved to Aotearoa New Zealand 22 years ago. Since then, this country has become home for me and my family a place where we have found belonging, purpose, and connection.

Professionally, I have worked with children and young people for the past 27 years across a range of roles including teacher, nurse, community support worker, and service manager. Currently, I work as an early childhood teacher at Whangaparaoa Kindergarten. My experience has given me a good understanding of the support neurodiverse children need to thrive from developing individualised learning plans and providing behavioural and healthcare support, to working closely with whānau, educators, and specialists to ensure every child feels safe, included, and empowered.

Parenting my son Stephan, who is neurodivergent, has been a life-changing journey. It has shaped how I see the world, teaching me to celebrate small wins, nurture strengths, and approach every challenge with compassion, creativity, and patience. Our whole whānau, including Gabriel, who is a loving and supportive big brother, has grown in resilience and gratitude through this shared experience.

Across all the roles I have held, my values have remained constant: inclusion, respect, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. I am passionate about equity in education and dedicated to helping all akonga grow into confident, capable individuals, regardless of their background or learning needs.

I bring to the board a collaborative mindset, a can-do attitude, and a strong problem-solving approach. I believe in listening, thinking outside the box, and continuously learning.

I am looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success of Wairau Valley Special School and supporting our wonderful community.

Arohanui,

Alina