Call us today: 021 156 9281

 

Melanie Coker small.jpg"Hi, I'm Melanie Coker, the  founder and director of AHeadStart Ltd. Tutoring from AHeadStart provides students with the tools to achieve their best, no matter what level they are at.

Starting from five tutors in 2009, AHeadStart now has more than 40 tutors in Christchurch. Over 4,000 students have so far benefitted from our tuition. So many have gone on to achieve degrees they would never have believed possible while at school. Tuition with AHeadStart has opened their minds to the possibilities, altered their dreams for the better and ultimately changed their lives.

I will personally guide each student through the start of their tutoring journey, and make sure they have the best tutor to suit their needs. I give you my personal guarantee."

 

Why AHeadStart Tuition?

  • Personalised one-on-one tutoring in Christchurch - one-on-one or in small groups
  • Convenient Christchurch locations - in person at a local library or in your own home
  • Tuition for all levels - primary (literacy and numeracy), secondary (NCEA, Cambridge and IB) and adult students
  • Expert tutors - high achieving, excellent communicators with a passion for learning
  • Multiple subjects - our tutors can assist students with several subjects within each tutorial
  • Choice of tuition plans - select your desired level of guidance, including progress reports
  • Online tutoring - available all across New Zealand
  • Great value - from $63 per hour for a one-on-one tutorial in person
  • Payment options - pay per tutorial, or in bulk for a 10% discount
  • No fixed term - choose how many tutorials you need to achieve your goals

Contact us for a FREE consultation

 

PERSONALISED ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

Individually customised tutorials match each student's own unique needs

Personalised


Our initial assessment and tailored lessons allows students to be taught more effectively, in a way that meets their own specific requirements.

One-on-one


Individual tuition benefits students as they focus better, increase their confidence and learn more.
 

Expert Tutors


We guide students in their studies and help them develop better study skills, so they perform their best in exams and assessments.

"Thanks for everything - exams went well and just await results in January. Jackson was delightful and has the makings of a great teacher / communicator of science - a young man going places!"

Josie’s mother Juliet, November 2014
Year 12, Chemistry & Physics

"Many thanks to Aarya! From what Imogen has said she has been a great tutor and has helped

Immensely with both calculus and physics. We really appreciate it. We wish Aarya all the best."

Imogen's father John, November 2025
Year 12 Mathematics & Physics

"Thank you :) you’re an amazing tutor thanks so much."

Haley, November 2011
Year 13, Level 3 Biology & Statistics

"AHeadStart is the best, especially [because] they offer one on one tutorials with the students and it helps students tackle difficult concepts and boost academic confidence."

Marz's mother Miguela, February 2026
2nd Year Engineering

"Charlie thought Finlay was really helpful, and made things easier to understand. So things are looking good for moving forward. Thanks for making a good match!"

Charlie's mother Helen, June 2026
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you SO much for all your help and support over the years – you have made an amazing difference to Alex and I know she would have struggled without you. I think it would be lovely to keep in touch – I know Alex will really like that.

Thank you again – for your fabulous help."

Alex’s mother Catherine, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Biology, Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

“Thanks Melanie. Mo has been a wonderful tutor to Dalton and Dalton has really come to like him. I have already asked Mo if he is still tutoring next year to assist Dalton again. Wishing you a happy Christmas and many thanks for all your help.”

Dalton’s mother Brigitte, November 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"Just want to let you know Jed really enjoyed his tutorials with Max and believes they have made a real difference to his exam efforts, particularly in re-igniting belief in his science ability!
His motivation and attitude has improved and we are hopeful this will carry through into Yr 12.
Please pass our thanks onto Max and am sure we will be in touch next year."

Jed’s mother Lesley, November 2014
Year 11, Science

“Thanks again to Max for his wonderful tutoring. Alex was excellence endorsed for stats. Please book him in again for this year. I think it would be very worthwhile to have his guidance.”

Alex’s mother Sandra, January 2015
Year 12, Mathematics

"Thank you very much for the tuition I received Melanie. I appreciated the fact you always followed up the lessons and sent an email prior to any lessons asking what I would like to cover. You were always organised when I arrived and had any material available that you felt would benefit the lessons. Thank you for your patience also."

Julaine, December 2009
Level 100 Chemistry

"Hey Melanie :) thanks for your text earlier! Kealan really enjoyed his tutorial with Ryan…I think they are a good match! I thought that Ryan had a nice approachable manner about him & Kealan was very relaxed & open with him :) So all in all…a great start! Kealan is very amped about the whole thing…so I’m stoked!! Thanks Melanie :)."

Kealan’s mother Donna, May 2013
Year 8, Mathematics

“I want to thank you for the tutoring Ben has received. I appreciate that Ben hasn’t been the easiest student to teach, but I have been very happy with the tutoring he received

Kind regards, Lisa”

Ben’s mother Lisa, October 2016
Year 12 Chemistry

"Neisha was very pleased with how the lesson went.  She has had a great week at school this week and has done very well in two of her science tests.  The confidence this has given her already is incredible. Thank you very much."

Neisha’s mother Nicola, July 2014
Year 10, Mathematics & Science

"Thanks Melanie. Hamish did a great job. Rosa got top of her class for maths and science, and Carlos has appreciated the help too. We will be in touch next year with Rosa."

Rosa’s and Carlos’ mother Jackie, November 2014
Year 10 & Year 13, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

 

"Stewart was able to teach Michaela the subject content that by breaking it down to a level she was able to understand it, where the school teachers didn’t have time."

Michaela’s mother Sandra, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics & Science

"Thanks for organising help for Tess she passed level one with excellence. She got over 90 excellence credits the rest being merit. Best wishes."

Tessa’s mother Kirsty, January 2013
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

“Hi Melanie,

Victoria went really well with Rebecca, she said she was really lovely and was a very good tutor. She said she thought Rebecca was going to be a great help.

Another outstanding tutor - I'm not sure how you do it!

Many thanks

Andrea.”

Victoria’s mother Andrea, July 2016
Year 12, Economics

"Isabella had a really good tutoring session with Hannah, thank you. She was very grateful for Hannah's help with her physics.
Thank you for arranging and for checking in."

Isabella's mother Deanne, May 2026
Year 13, Physics

“Morning, Many thanks for Maddi’s progress report– Just wanted to say how pleased we are with the progress Maddi is making and we believe a lot of this can be contributed to Jackson’s fantastic way of teaching Maddi…
Kind regards, Sue”


Maddi’s mother Sue, April 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

 

“The tuition was excellent and believe it really helped my son to achieve the best level he could. Dion's results did improve thru the year with tuition. I think he would have struggled without it. I'd like to say thanks!”

Dion’s mother Andrea, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus & Chemistry

"Thank you so much for everything this year. 

Emma has been an amazing help for Neve throughout the year. Patient and engaging and excellent and breaking everything down for her. Her results are really great across her subjects and physics and maths teachers have noted a big improvement in her test performance."

Neve's mother Mairin, November 2025
Year 12 Mathematics & Physics

"Hi Chloe just thought I’d let you know Charlotte got 90% in her maths exam - top in the class! Thank you for all your help."

Charlotte’s mother Mel, November 2012
Year 9, English & Mathematics

"We have found Louie to be extremely helpful to Aidyn and his improvement in school is amazing.
Thank you for the service you provide."

Aidyn's mother Heather, December 2024
Year 10, English & Mathematics

“Thanks Melanie,

We are very happy with Georgia’s progress. Tim is a credit to your company - polite, prompt and Georgia says she is learning heaps, so thank you.

Kind regards, Claire”

Georgia’s mother Claire, November 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

"Yes we met with Blake and he seems like a very professional person.

Michael was impressed, and liked Blake’s calm manner and how he didn’t put Michael down when Mike didn’t know something (I know that is what teachers are meant to be like but it is a big thing for Michael) J

We are very happy thank you."

Michael’s mother Fay, August 2013
Year 11, English

TUITION FOR ALL LEVELS

Tutorials are available for primary, secondary and adult students

PRIMARY STUDENTS

Your child may require help to catch up in reading, writing or maths, gain confidence and build a strong foundation.

Or they may want extension in their favourite subject, or one not covered much at primary school, such as science or coding.

Whatever your child's goals, our primary school tutors will guide your child through every tutorial through regular assessment and lots of encouragement!

More About Primary Tuition >

SECONDARY STUDENTS

Secondary school can be a stressful time for students, especially with regular NCEA assessments throughout the year. Fitting study in around sports and other extracurricular activities can also be challenging.

Whether a student wants to gain enough credits to pass the year, or is aiming for a Merit or Excellence endorsement, our tutors can assist to make that goal a reality. And of course we can also help with Cambridge and International Baccalaureate.
 

 
More About Secondary Tuition >

ADULT STUDENTS

As an adult student it can often be difficult getting back into study, as it may have been years since you opened a text book. You may also be tacking an unfamiliar subject such as mathematics or science.

On top of this you may be studying part time or extramurally, so it may a challenge to fit study around your daily life. Our tutors can help you streamline the learning process, so you can get through your studies with confidence!
 

More About Adult Tuition >

MULTIPLE SUBJECTS

Our tutors can assist students with many subjects in each tutorial

  1. AHeadStart can assist students with 30 different subjects - Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science and Accounting tutoring, are just a small selection.
  2. Most AHeadStart tutors have strengths in multiple NCEA, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate® (IB) subjects, even including subjects as diverse as English, Mathematics & Science!
  3. Flexibility of tutorial structure means students can choose which subjects the cover in a lesson. This means tutors can prepare students as best as possible before each school assessment.
  4. Students benefit by having one tutor to cover several subjects and make the most out of every tutorial.

 

 

Accounting

Secondary & Adult Tuition

English

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Mathematics

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Science

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

OUR NUMBERS SAY IT ALL

Students

3,659+

 

Students have chosen AHeadStart

Tutors

40+

 

AHeadStart tutors to choose

Hours

60,702+

 

Hours of tuition provided

EXPERT TUTORS

Students choose their own tutor from a selection to match their specific needs

  1. Our team of Christchurch tutors are high achievers, excellent communicators and passionate about sharing their knowledge.
  2. Every tutor has personal experience of NCEA, Cambridge or IB at secondary school, and know what it takes to achieve success. Many tutors were Dux or Proxime Accessit, or involved in leadership positions such as Head Boy or Head Girl.
  3. Our tutors are selected via a very thorough interview process. All tutors are screened by the NZ Police prior to being placed with students.

 

TUITION PLANS

Students select a tuition plan to match their goals and level of motivation

ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

PLATINUM PLAN

For students who lack motivation and need guidance with their studies. Includes weekly homework and progress reports every 5 tutorials.

More Details

GOLD PLAN

For self-motivated students who take charge of their own learning and have questions about their school work.
 

More Details

GROUP TUITION

SILVER PLAN

For self-motivated students wanting personalised tuition in pairs.

Students need to have a sibling or friend they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

GROUP PLAN

For self-motivated students who would like tuition in a small group.

Students need to have two siblings or friends they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

TUITION FREQUENCY

Students choose how often they would like to see their tutor to match their needs

WEEKLY
 

  • Students have a regular weekly tutorial (or more) during the school terms.
  • Suits students who want consistent help throughout the year to stay on top of their schoolwork.

 

CASUAL
 

  • Students schedule tutorials as required, with no ongoing commitment.
  • Suits students who need help for a short period to catch up on missed work or assistance before assessments.
     

 

 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Tuition at a local library or in your own home

Libraries

15+

Libraries where
AHeadStart has tutorials

Suburbs

70+

Suburbs where students
can be tutored at home

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

A range of locations to suit your needs

  

City Libraries


Christchurch Public Libraries and the University of Canterbury provide a studious environment and inspire students to use these spaces in their own learning time.

We Can Come To You


Home tuition is available in Christchurch for those with busy schedules and offers a familiar, safe environment for the student to learn.