Early Childhood Education Profiles

When Jacinta (Cinta) Hirst welcomed her daughter into the world during the 2020 lockdown, she had no idea the experience would spark a life-changing passion for early childhood education. “Being at home with her opened my eyes to the joy of not just raising a child but understanding how she learned and how I could support her growth,” she reflects. What began as a simple desire to understand her daughter better led her to enrol in a Level 4 ECE program—and ultimately uncover her calling.

Cinta immersed herself in the foundations of child development, a field she felt passionate about. “Learning why children develop the way they do, and seeing my daughter thrive socially, emotionally, and physically through intentional teaching, was incredibly fulfilling,” she says. That revelation encouraged her to take a leap of faith into the sector, accepting an unqualified kaiako role with New Shoots Greenhithe. “That decision changed everything for me.”

Cinta’s cultural identity has shaped both her practice and her emerging leadership. She credits her team—and one leader in particular—for recognising her potential early on. “She believed in me before I believed in myself,” Cinta shares. “The encouragement from her and the rest of my team was the push I needed to begin studying.”

When it came time to take the next step, New Zealand Tertiary College stood out. “I needed a study option that allowed me to work full-time, remain flexible, and stay in control of my schedule. NZTC ticked all those boxes,” she says. The fully online format has been a perfect fit for her independent learning style. “I genuinely love it. NZTC provides everything I need while giving me the flexibility to shape my study routine around my life as a mum, kaiako, and leader.”

Fitting study into her already full life has required creativity and commitment—late evenings after bedtime, quiet pockets of time after work, and weekends spent in cafés or libraries. But for Cinta, the content itself fuels her motivation. “Because I’m passionate about topics like Kaupapa Māori, Te Tiriti, and culturally responsive practice, it never felt like a burden.”

These areas have not only enriched her academic journey but transformed her work as a kaiako. “As a Samoan who doesn’t speak my mother tongue, I deeply understand why it’s vital to keep culture and language alive,” she explains. Her learning has flowed naturally into her leadership, guiding her team toward authentic Te Tiriti-based practice and shaping internal evaluation within her centre.

Now leading two infant rooms and managing social media across New Shoots, Cinta’s days are full and meaningful. “It’s full-on, but it fills my kete in the best ways,” she smiles. While she sees higher management in her future, she remains grounded in gratitude—for her whānau, her team, and the study pathway that has supported her growth.

To anyone doubting whether they can study while juggling life’s demands, Cinta offers heartfelt encouragement: “If I can make this work, truly, you can too. Embrace the journey, celebrate the small wins, lean on your support system, and trust that the hard work will pay off. Your future self will thank you.”