Kia ora, I’m Heather
. . .and I’m a specialist educator providing evidence-based literacy support using Structured Literacy.
If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver and feeling like there’s no hope. Welcome to Love Literacy, where there is always hope for our tamariki.
My journey into this work started as a mum — not a teacher. When my eldest child was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, I realised how hard it was for families to find practical, compassionate help for their neurodiverse learners.
That experience led me to retrain and dedicate my career to helping children and parents who feel exactly as I once did — uncertain where to start, but determined to find a way forward.
In 2019, I completed a year-long SPELD NZ programme, earning the New Zealand Certificate in Teaching Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities. I went on to work as a Specialist Educator before launching Love Literacy Mount Maunganui. In 2022, I created Yeet — a reading and spelling card game used in tutoring sessions and classrooms across Aotearoa. In 2024, I became IMSLE Certified and an accredited MSL Specialist, continuing my mission to make learning to read accessible, structured, and empowering for every child.
In 2025, I launched my podcast, Love Literacy – Inspired, where I talk with parents, educators, and advocates about the power of literacy and learning.
Outside of tutoring, you’ll find me designing new literacy resources, speaking at events, and working alongside families and schools to make evidence-based literacy support more widely understood and available across Aotearoa. On a personal front, you’ll often find me in nature - jogging or walking along the Mount with family and friends. I believe we all need time to recharge, escape perfectionism, and let creativity flow.
Love Literacy began as one parent’s search for help and has grown into a thriving community supporting tamariki across Aotearoa. We remain committed to helping tamariki rediscover the joy of reading, and parents, grandparents and caregivers feel empowered.
We’re here to make sure every tamaiti moves from frustration to confidence — one word, one lesson, one success at a time.
Our Vision
We believe that literacy is more than a skill — it’s a gateway to confidence, independence, and opportunity. Every ākonga deserves the chance to unlock that potential, and every parent deserves support that’s practical, compassionate, and based on what actually works.
Our goal is to take the stress, confusion, and guesswork out of literacy support by offering evidence-based teaching grounded in the Science of Reading and delivered through a Structured Literacy approach — proven to help every learner, including those with dyslexia and other learning differences.
Every child has the right to learn to read. We believe literacy should never be left to chance. Every learner deserves explicit, systematic teaching that follows a proven path, tailored to their needs and pace.
Learning happens best in a safe, encouraging environment. We create a space where children feel respected, supported, and understood — a place where mistakes are part of learning and progress is celebrated.
Empathy and encouragement comes first. Heather’s journey as a parent of a neurodiverse learner drives everything we do. We know the challenges families face, and we meet each child — and each whānau — with warmth, patience, and hope.
Connection and collaboration matter. We work alongside families, teachers, and other professionals to ensure every learner has consistent, coordinated support — at home, at school, and beyond.
Joy is part of learning. From tutoring sessions to our Yeet and Marīkī reading games, we make learning engaging and positive. When learning feels fun and achievable, confidence and curiosity naturally grow.
Teaching should align with how the brain learns. We use methods backed by decades of research into how the brain processes language, helping children build strong foundations for reading, spelling, and writing that last a lifetime.
Ready to help your child thrive in literacy?
Let’s talk about the right next steps for your child.