Karen Hinge was raised as a 'free-range kid' in the Waikato. Her childhood memories include long days of freedom spent bike riding, hut building, hill sliding and blackberry picking. She began her teaching career in Christchurch and enjoyed exploring the amazing South Island during holiday breaks. She now lives in beautiful Northland where, for the last 20 years, she and her partner Derek have been raising their family of three children. An intermediate school teacher, Karen says she loves the learning opportunities that teaching brings.