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EIT Te Pūkenga learner looking forward to graduating and starting new job | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

Chris Temoni is looking forward to graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Systems (BCS) from the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga and his new job in IT.

Chris Temoni (Tuhoe & Ngati Porou) has a lot to look forward to this year.

Not only is Chris graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Systems (BCS) from the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga, he has also been accepted for an IT Support role at Te Whatu Ora.

Chris, 36, will join throngs of other ākonga graduating at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday, 8 March.

It’s been a long journey for Chris, who came to Gisborne from Waiohau and Tuparoa in his early twenties. He worked in different jobs but decided to return to study at EIT|Te Pūkenga to increase his skills.

“I loved computing, it was always there growing up. I was interested because my Mum worked as a receptionist and had done some computing.”

Chris started out completing the NZ Certificate in Business Administration & Computing (level 4). Enjoying the student life, he decided to continue with computing, moving on to complete the NZ Certificate in IT Essentials (level 4), followed by NZ Certificate in Information Technology (level 5) and eventually the Bachelor of Computing Systems (level 7).

 “I enjoyed all courses, how all the parts fit together. Some were challenging but that’s what I liked about it”.

Chris is not bothered by pressure and likes “what challenges do to people, how they handle it – and bring their A-game”.

He would often help people out with laptop and computer repairs, putting to use the tools and learning from the Computer Architecture course.

“The surprising thing about using tools, is that buzz when I can solve a problem – it’s satisfying.”

One memorable experience for Chris was a trip to Hawke’s Bay where he participated in GovHack with a team of computing student buddies.

“Our lecturer drove us there, we unpacked at the camping ground and headed to EIT Taradale for an all-weekend Hackathon. The atmosphere was great, it was awesome, lots of students, lecturers and guests from industry. We ate well, had lots of laughs and finished with a prize giving. Good times”.

Chris is determined to not “lose IT” since finishing his study. He has explored local jobs and different ways to keep up with what was happening in the IT space.

“My goals are to keep upskilling, and work towards becoming an IT Manager.”

Chris is thankful for the support from his Mum, family and friends, “the lecturers who helped me, and peers who I worked alongside during study”.

“I highly recommend this programme. The BCS really helped me. I started off with zero IT skills, and have learned a heck of a lot. It feels great to be where I am now. It’s a buzz. Just so happy”.

“I hope this will inspire my friends and family to upskill and do what they enjoy.”

Tina Blumenthal, Senior IT Lecturer at EIT |Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti, says: “Chris has been an asset to his degree cohort. His committed, calm, focused and quietly inquiring manner, coupled with an ability to draw on experience has meant he has been able to contribute on many levels to inspiring his peers. It’s been a privilege to be part of his study journey and I wish Chris all the best in achieving his future goals”.

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EIT |Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti valedictorian concludes journey that began in Trades Academy | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

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EIT | Te Pūkenga student Angus Bodle is the Valedictorian at the Tairāwhiti Campus graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Valedictorian Angus Bodle’s academic journey began when he attended Trades Academy as a school student and comes to a conclusion as he graduates with a Bachelor of Computing Systems on Friday.

He will be part of a cohort of students at the graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

Angus, 21, says he was surprised when told that he had been chosen as EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Valedictorian as he had not been expecting it.

He is looking forward to graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Systems, majoring in Intelligent  Systems. Supporting him on the day will be his family.

Born and bred in Tairāwhiti, Angus’ interest in computers stems back to when he was a student at Gisborne Intermediate School, trading his lunchtimes for spending time in the IT shed with his friends.

He enrolled in the computing programme in Trades Academy at the Tairāwhiti Campus while in year 12 and 13 at Lytton High School.

“I knew I wanted to study computing, but it was Trades Academy that assured me that EIT was the right place to study.”

Angus said that he found the programme enjoyable, but it did have its “ups and downs”, thanks to COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We had to deal with remote learning for COVID-19 and also for the cyclone, because a whole lot of stuff wasn’t working at campus. It really was a challenge for us and for EIT.”

For Angus, a highlight of the programme was the “hands-on learning”.

“For me, the best reason to study the BCS at EIT is that you have that one-on-one time with your tutor, not like when you’re at a big university and there’s 1,000 students in your class.”

EIT | Te Pūkenga Senior IT Lecturer Tina Blumenthal said: “The past three years has been a tough ride, first with COVID and then Cyclone Gabrielle. And as one of the School of Computing lecturers, I congratulate all our BCS graduates for keeping the faith and demonstrating resilience in achieving their goals. It’s been a unique situation, but also a privilege to share the learning journey with this cohort.”

“Angus is an outstanding academic achiever who enthusiastically welcomed every opportunity to learn and develop professionally, both in class and by engaging with the sponsorship team in his internship. He has a wealth of talent, knowledge and skills, and is a shining star in our programme. I am sure he will be successful in his chosen career.”

“Angus has earned his achievements, and EIT School of Computing team acknowledge and thank him, with great pride, for accepting the role of Valedictorian for his graduation ceremony.”

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Government transport plan fails to provide economic security

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says the new Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024–2034 fails to plan for a resilient and secure transport system, putting the New Zealand economy at risk.

The previous Government introduced coastal shipping as a new activity class in its GPS on land transport in 2021.

It invested $30 million in the coastal shipping sector which resulted in new vessels coming onto the New Zealand coast, reducing road congestion, improving resilience, and reducing carbon emissions.

This progress has now ground to a halt, with coastal shipping ignored in the new Draft GPS on Land Transport 2024.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says for the Government to simply leave out coastal shipping is a failure of insight into the long term needs of the transport sector.

Mr Harrison says the lessons of the last few years are obvious.

“We have seen major disruption to New Zealand transport links through the pandemic and natural disasters including cyclones and earthquakes, with regions left isolated and at risk.”

Mr Harrison says New Zealand needs a balanced, multi-modal system that prioritises redundancy and resilience in transport.

“This new draft document notes New Zealand has faced significant challenges from these events, but then ignores the important role of domestic coastal shipping that is now recognised in the industry.”

Mr Harrison says the Government seems to be basing its transport strategy on delivering for its donors, rather than any rational and balanced approach.

“As the rest of the world moves towards low emission, resilient transport modes, and prepares for climate change driven extreme weather events, New Zealand is left exposed and vulnerable.”

He says with the Cook Strait ferry connection in limbo, coastal shipping ignored, and a crisis in seafarer training, New Zealand is moving towards developing world status.

“The Government now has an opportunity to correct course and focus on the future resilience of New Zealand’s economy – or go in reverse gear by promoting a congested, polluted and vulnerable transport system.”

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New cross-Tasman maritime worker federation to bolster MUA and MUNZ power in Kiwi and Australian ports

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

At the Maritime Union of Australia’s National Conference in Adelaide the MUA and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) announced a new federation bringing together the two unions in a formal arrangement to build workers’ power at ports throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Speaking at the announcement, National Secretary of the MUA Paddy Crumlin explained that a formal arrangement was the next logical step for the two unions after many decades of closely working together on workplace, safety, geopolitical and industrial challenges facing maritime workers in both countries.

“The fraternal bonds that link our two unions are some of the closest, oldest and most durable in the trade union movement, and given we are working in an increasingly globalised workplace and standing up against some of the same bosses, it makes perfect sense to expand and bolster the strength of our Unions through a formalised federation,” Crumlin said.

MUA National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin, moves the resolution to enter a new federation with MUNZ at the MUA’s National Conference in Adelaide, 2024

The Maritime Union of Australia, formed in 1993, is an amalgamation of the old Waterside Workers Federation and the Seamen’s Union of Australia. The MUA, through its predecessor Unions has been an immovable force on the Australian waterfront and around our coastline for 151 years. Likewise, in 2002, MUNZ was formed through the amalgamation of two unions, covering wharfies and seafarers, that trace their histories in New Zealand to the 19th century.

“The history of maritime industries was one of casual labour, injury and death on the job, and ruthless employers who wouldn’t cede an inch to their workers,” said Craig Harrison, the MUNZ National Secretary.

“Our members had to fight for and defend their right to secure, permanent jobs, a decent wage and safe conditions of work. We have stood together to improve the lot of working people and their communities since those early days and we now look towards an even stronger presence on the waterfront and on our ships across the Asia Pacific through this federation with the MUA,” Harrison said.

Craig Harrison, National Secretary of MUNZ, addressing the MUA National Conference in Adelaide, 2024

The expansion of global network terminal operators and the voracious appetite of big employers like Qube for swallowing up smaller stevedoring operators across New Zealand has made the federation an obvious strategic step for the two unions to take together. The Australian Federal Government’s strategic shipping fleet commitment will also deliver significant trans-Tasman capacity and new training and employment opportunities in both Australian and New Zealand for maritime workers.

“We saw during COVID, where shipping and terminal operators manipulated vital supply chains to extract maximum profit from vulnerable countries like Australia and New Zealand that are entirely dependent on global shipping,” said Mr Crumlin. “Now the same cartel forces are organising against Australian and Kiwi communities to use the sheer brute force of capital to take control of our docks. They will jack up landside prices, control schedules and freight lanes, and drive down the working conditions and wages of our members, so the strategic importance of the relationship between the two Unions cannot be overstated,” Crumlin added.

The two Unions, together, represent tens of thousands of maritime workers. The MUA, a division of the CFMEU, has branches in every state and the Northern Territory while MUNZ has ten branches across both the North and South Islands. The two unions already attend each other’s National Council meetings and work in the strongest unified way across their shared international trade union affiliations and by sharing trade union training and standing side by side in struggle and campaigning.

Together, the MUA and MUNZ, have collaborated on a number of industrial and political campaigns and established strong fraternal bonds of solidarity between the two Unions. The ‘War on the Wharves’ charity boxing tournament, held each year to raise money for charity, is a long-standing expression of this close and important relationship.

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Youth-driven health initiative to spread crucial messages about nutrition | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines group filming at Aunty’s Garden in Hastings for a 20-week social media campaign.

A 20-week social media campaign, driven by rangatahi Māori aims to spread crucial messages about nutrition and well-being across New Zealand.

The Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines is part of Nourishing Hawke’s Bay: He wairua tō te kai, a collaborative local project between EIT | Te Pūkenga and University of Auckland (UoA).

The guidelines will feature as a 20-week social media campaign, launching on March 4, with influencers Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Pere Wihongi, Georgia Awatea Jones and local rangatahi.

Senior Research Fellow Dr Rachael Glassey, manager of Nourishing Hawke’s Bay, says the core of the project is about empowering youth with holistic health and well-being guidelines.

“It’s a project that the rangatahi have poured their hearts into, offering a fresh take on health that covers everything from eating well and staying active to keeping your mind healthy and staying connected with our culture.”

“These guidelines are about more than just health tips; they’re a blueprint for making real, positive changes in our lives, for everyone across New Zealand.”

Seventeen rangatahi from around Hawke’s Bay have been involved in the project since the middle of last year.

They looked at health guidelines from New Zealand and overseas, and applied mātauranga Māori to them. Then, they sought feedback from their peers at school before refining the messages.

“The current Ministry of Health guidelines don’t really resonate with young people. Our rangatahi participants added key aspects around mātauranga Māori and sustainability. The goal is to bridge these gaps and connect more meaningfully with youth,” Rachael says. 

Rangatahi Guideline project lead Raun Makirere-Haerewa says it is important to ensure the messages not only make sense to the rangatahi but that they buy into them.

“I think a big part of the level of engagement and excitement is from the fact that we’re putting the onus on them to create this. It’s not a template. They’ve come up with the work.” 

A wānanga was held over three days at Houngarea Marae last month, at which time the campaign content was shot.

Māori media personality, Tamati Rimene-Sproat, says he was happy to be involved with the kaupapa as it aligned with his values.

“It’s rangatahi led and rangatahi driven for rangatahi and that’s really important to me so when Raun reached out and asked if I was interested it made sense to me, and then I had actually done work with Professor Boyd Swinburn in the past, so when his name came up it gave a level of importance and value.”

New Zealand musician, voice actor and kapa haka composer and performer Pere Wihongi (Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Wai) says she was honoured to help contribute.

Flaxmere College student Joseph Curtis says the experience has been “healing”.

Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines group at Houngarea Marae.

“I feel like I have connected more with my Māoritanga here. I feel like I am getting fitter, socialising more and eating healthier. I’m looking after myself, others and having a Māori input on almost everything I do.”

He says he will continue to support the kaupapa.

Ariki-Jaid Moke and Mikaera Rountree, who also attend Flaxmere College, say it has been an “eye-opener”.

“Before we came here, we didn’t really understand how important our health and well-being was. So this has helped us understand the importance of hauora and well-being,” Ariki-Jaid says.

Professor Boyd Swinburn says it has been a journey, and they are interested to see how it unfolds further.

“We’ve got a longer term vision on this, but exactly how are we going to get there is a bit uncertain. We’re just going to follow the kids and let them guide us.”

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School students begin journey to chosen career through EIT’s Trades Academy | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

15 mins ago

Eight hundred and forty secondary students from across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti have signed up for the Trades Academy at EIT | Te Pūkenga this year.

Eight hundred and forty secondary students from across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti have signed up for the successful Trades Academy at EIT | Te Pūkenga this year.

The Trades Academy, at EIT’s Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay campuses, works with secondary schools to provide year-long trades programmes to help students achieve NCEA Level 2 or 3 and prepare for higher-level study. The Trades Academy offers programmes that include automotive, trade skills, hair and beauty, hospitality, agriculture, and health and fitness. Students attend Trades Academy each week, gaining  vocational skills and getting hands on experience. Some schools have extended this to Year 11 and Year 13.

This year’s cohort of students will participate in 22 programmes in Hawke’s Bay and 19 in Tairāwhiti. In addition to the regular offering, a new programme in Tairāwhiti – Agriculture Equine – will be taught in Tolaga Bay.

Paul Hursthouse, the EIT | Te Pūkenga Director of Business Relationships and Transitions, says EIT has a strong focus on supporting students as they transition from high school into the workforce.

Paul said he is pleased to see the number of students wanting to follow their passion while still at secondary school.

“The Trades Academy allows students to kickstart their vocational pathway while at school. We enjoy seeing the students come to our campuses every week, knowing that they are gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in their chosen vocation.”

“We hear many stories of people who have gone on to be successful in a particular trade or vocation thanks to getting that early start through our Trades Academy programme.

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Big strides being made in reopening EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus after devastating Cyclone Gabrielle | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

18 mins ago

One year on after being damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, the Hawke’s Bay Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga is about 65 per cent open with about 85% of all learners back on campus.

One year on from when Cyclone Gabrielle ravaged the Hawke’s Bay Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga, great strides are being to fully reopen the campus.

Normal academic service came to an abrupt halt at the Taradale campus on 14 February 2023 when flood water swept through the buildings. The cyclone caused extensive damage with up to 90 per cent of the ground-floor buildings – more than 500 rooms – being damaged by flood water and contaminated silt. Fortunately neither the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti campus nor the Regional Learning Centres suffered any significant damage and service delivery was able to resume.

EIT | Te Pūkenga management and kaimahi (staff) moved quickly to ensure that programme delivery at the Hawke’s Bay campus got back on track as quickly as possible, first online and then in up to 45 temporary sites across Napier and Hastings. This became known as “the  EIT | Te Pūkenga extended campus”.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Partnership and Projects Glen Harkness thanked the community for opening its doors and hearts in the institute’s hour of need.

“We have always been closely connected to our community, but this showed the depth of this bond. Whether it was council buildings or classrooms at local schools, we were made to feel welcome and our students were able to continue their education.”

While programmes were continuing, a big job of repair and rebuilding began on the campus with a dedicated team of kaimahi, volunteers and contractors pitching in.

Mr Harkness says the rebuild became an opportunity to enhance the campus for the future.

“We have been able to assess what our future needs will be and rebuild the campus accordingly.”

A big priority was to get specialist spaces, which accounted for about about 30 per cent of the campus, reopened. They include vet nursing, nursing, viticulture & wine science, some creative disciplines, plumbing, automotive and mechanical engineering. This was achieved in time for the second semester in July last year.

“Fortunately, most of the buildings used for specialist programmes had limited damage and were easier to repair. It was also hard to find specialist facilities to accommodate these programmes in the community, so it was a priority to get them back on campus,” says Mr Harkness.

A significant step was taken last month when three blocks – G, M and A – were blessed at a karakia and have since been reopened.

G block is home to the Hawke’s Bay Trades Academy as well as Hair and Beauty. M Block houses the School of Business, but will be accommodating programmes from across the institution while other buildings are repaired. A Block has departments including  the International Centre, The Education Development Centre that support staff teaching practice, and Te Kura Awarua Rangahau Māori Research Centre. The block will accommodate a range of staff and teaching delivery temporarily.

This development means that about 65 per cent of the campus is now open with about 85% of all learners back on campus.

“The goal is to have all planned works completed by the start on the 2025 academic year. Buildings will continue to reopen during 2024.”

Mr Harkness says the main goal is to provide learners with an opportunity to achieve certificates, diplomas and degrees in their chosen field.

“We are confident that we will be able to continue to provide a learning platform at our new brighter and better campus.”

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Cook Strait connection in limbo

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says pressure is mounting on the Government to provide leadership on the Cook Strait ferries.

One year ago, then National Party opposition Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown described the Cook Strait ferries as the “the biggest pothole on State Highway 1” after multiple technical problems with ageing ships.

In August 2023, he then described the current ferries as causing “significant safety concerns.”

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says the future of Cook Strait has now become a “black hole not a pot hole” in our transport network, due to the Government’s demolition of the iRex project.

“Despite his strong criticisms prior to being elected, we have not heard a peep out of Transport Minister Simeon Brown recently about the future of the Cook Strait as a key transport link.”

He says the new Government’s iRex decision in late 2023 has left the future of the interisland ferries in limbo.

Mr Harrison says many industry figures and commentators from across the political spectrum have expressed concerns about the future of the Cook Strait connection and the logic of the Government decision.

He says there is a danger that New Zealand will end up with a cheap, sub-optimal ferry option that will see ongoing disruption and safety issues.

“The long term cost may end up a lot higher.”

Mr Harrison says the Government may still have to walk back its hasty call to can the new ferries and terminals.

KiwiRail will appear before the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee at Parliament on Thursday 15 February.

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Successful resolution for Australian port workers at DP World 

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand has offered its congratulations to the Maritime Union of Australia for the successful resolution of the industrial dispute at DP World terminals.

The Maritime Union of Australia and Dubai Ports reached an in-principle agreement last week, subject to endorsement by the MUA membership employed at Dubai Ports in Australia.

The agreement, which replaces an earlier agreement that expired in September 2023, is for a four-year term and delivers fair pay, safety and fatigue management measures, and provides job security and a fair work-life balance for Australian wharfies.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Australian port workers at DP World had the full support of New Zealand maritime workers and had persevered to achieve a good outcome.

Mr Harrison says it is concerning that a proposed port privatization at Port of Auckland features DP World as a potential terminal operator. 

He says DP World has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia and elsewhere for its business practices.

According to recent polling carried out on behalf of the Union, the great majority of Aucklanders support keeping the Port of Auckland in public ownership.

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New Zealand maritime workers support Australian workers at DP World

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union of New Zealand says it is backing the Maritime Union of Australia in their dispute with DP World 100%.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Australian port workers at DP World have the full support of New Zealand maritime workers.

Industrial action has occurred at DP World terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle as port workers press for wage increases to counter cost of living hikes. 

Mr Harrison says it is hypocrisy for employers to be attacking workers seeking reasonable wage increases, while companies like DP World ratchet up giant profits for their owners – in this case the Royal Family of Dubai.

He says there are strong ties between maritime unions in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Harrison says DP World has come under increasing scrutiny in Australia and elsewhere for its business practices.

Although one of Australia’s two largest port operators, a recent report found DP World has paid no tax in Australia despite generating revenue of more than AU$4.5 billion over eight years.

Mr Harrison says it is very concerning that the proposed port privatization at Port of Auckland features DP World as a potential operator. 

He says the behaviour of DP World in Australia by pushing up massive container surcharges, tax practices, and poor workplace relations, were all red flags. 

“Is this the kind of corporate operator we want to give monopoly control of Port of Auckland to?”