Category: Current Students

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Passion for policy and legislation led student to study social work at EIT | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

14 seconds ago

Ami Hokianga is in her third year of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at EIT Tairāwhiti.

A passion for policy and legislation led a student to study social work at EIT Tairāwhiti.

Ami Hokianga (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) felt that she needed to develop herself further after a number of years working across the legal, health and horticultural sectors. She decided to enrol in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at EIT’s Tairāwhiti Campus to pursue her interest in developing workable policy solutions for New Zealand’s social services.

Ami, wanted to remain in Tairāwhiti with her whānau and said that she realised the social work degree at EIT, was the quickest way for her to see the direct impacts of policy on the front line.

“I think that from the beginning of my studies with EIT my focus has always been policy and legislation.”

“My reason to study social work was to understand the structures and the systems that bind us, particularly for Māori.”

Growing up as an “army baby” Ami spent most of her early school years in Auckland and Wellington and then across to El Paso, Texas on the United States Mexico border to complete intermediate. Ami returned to Aotearoa and completed Year 9 to Year 13, boarding at Turakina Māori Girls’ College and eventually moving to Western Australia to pursue a career in legal studies.

Ami returned to Tairāwhiti to raise her daughters on the East Coast and worked across the health and horticulture sectors before realising she wanted to pursue a degree with EIT.

“I have found it refreshing. I love to learn. And so that’s probably why my career is so vast in regard to law, health, and then horticulture. Learning for me is a huge thing and actually coming back to that study space was exactly what I needed.”

Ami, who is currently in the third year of the four-year degree, says that while the programme has had its challenges, this has allowed her to push herself in regard to learning and responding to different perspectives.

Another aspect of the programme Ami has recently completed, is her 60-day placement within the community. Ami has enjoyed learning alongside experienced practitioners and being supported by an awesome and empowering team at Oranga Tamariki-Tairāwhiti.

She says she would be keen to work at government level of policy or legislation as she believes “by identifying the gaps within our systems and structures from the frontline, we are able to identify the direct impacts for whānau and influence or improve future policy and legislation”.

Ami, an “independent mama”, who also works part-time within Governance support while she completes her degree, recently received the Te Whatu Ora- Te Pitomata grant in recognition of her commitment and study aspirations to contribute to Māori Health, she says she has no hesitation in recommending EIT as a place to study.

She says without EIT, she wouldn’t have met social work peers from both Tairāwhiti and Taradale, who are all equally driven, purposeful and strong-minded students. However, it is the unwavering support from her parents and children that keep her grounded in pursuing and gaining a degree with EIT.

EIT Social Work Lecturer and Programme Coordinator Charlotte Chisnell says: “Ami’s commitment to understanding and influencing policy and legislation, especially for Māori communities, aligns perfectly with the core values of EIT. Her experiences in law, health, and horticulture enrich her perspective and contribute significantly to her studies and future career in social work.”

“Ami’s story is a testament to the  importance of education and community support. We look forward to seeing Ami  continue her journey.”

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Personal tragedy and working at EIT Tairāwhiti proves to be motivation to study further | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

Hailey Keepa has worked and studied at EIT Tairāwhiti and is now in her first year of a Bachelor of Midwifery, through the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) where her study is a mix of classes based at EIT’s Tairāwhiti Campus and block courses in Hamilton.

Her personal experiences and working at EIT Tairāwhiti’s Hub Café has inspired a local woman to study a career preparation programme at EIT and now midwifery.

Hailey Keepa left Gisborne Girls’ High School in year 11 in 2002 and proceeded to do a number of jobs before starting her own cake business, which she ran for five years out of her registered kitchen from home.

However, circumstances changed when she and her whānau were unable to buy the house they had rented for 15 years. The loss of their home meant the loss of Hailey’s business and weeks later they also experienced the loss of their son Kyrei who was born stillborn. These life altering events that all happened within six weeks of each other, made her assess her life.

A job at the Hub Café on the EIT Tairāwhiti Campus, led her to realise that studying further was a way forward for her.

“Working there I met heaps of students, and especially adult students. It inspired me to realise that I could still study at my age, and that I was determined to do better for not only myself, but for my whānau.”

“I always thought I’d love to be a midwife, but I always put it in the too hard basket, as I thought that it would be terrible to go back to school as an adult student. But working at the Hub Cafe, meeting all those people, I was like, ‘man, I am actually going to do this’.”

Because she had been out of study for so long, 37-year-old Hailey first had to enrol in the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3 and 4).

“I didn’t think I needed to do the level three, but I’m actually so glad that I did it, it helped transition me into level four. These courses just prepare you so much more for further study in degree level. They take you back to the basics, which I needed as I wasn’t at school long enough to even learn those. I actually did way better than I thought I would academically too.”

“My tutors were amazing, and all the staff at EIT are so encouraging. It’s a very close-knit community at EIT.”

Hailey is now in her first year of a Bachelor of Midwifery, through the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec).  And with her first semester completed she was pleased to announce she received straight A’s, and hopes to continue her learning journey at a high level.

Hailey, who is married and the mother to five children, says that her experience with her stillborn son Kyrei is a big part of her midwifery journey.

She says that while she realised that she wanted to be a midwife when her daughter was born 12 years ago, it was the birth of Kyrei that pushed her to make it happen.

“I always thought that it would be an amazing career to have and to be part of that moment in a woman’s life. What held me back was that I did not do too well at high school. School was never for me, I’m much more of a hands-on person.”

“But then after everything with Kyrei, I thought: ‘Gosh, how many women could I support through their healing process if I actually was in this career.”

EIT’s Study and Career Preparation programmes provided the foundation for Hailey to fulfil that ambition.

With three more years to go of her degree after this one, Hailey is keen to learn what is needed to become a midwife and to equally care for and work in partnership with all women, and give back to the Tairāwhiti community.

EIT’s Acting Head of School Education and Social Sciences, Mandy Pentecost, says: “Hailey’s story is a shining example of the way the Study and Career Pathway courses are doing a great job getting people ready to enter higher level study, and we wish Hailey every success as she continues to pursue her dream.”

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Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills meets with regional leaders at EIT | EIT Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

8 mins ago

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst (left), Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds and Executive Director Region 2 – Te Pūkenga Kieran Hewitson at the EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale.

Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds met with regional government, business and community leaders at the EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale on Wednesday (3 July).

The purpose of the meeting was to hear what the region needed from EIT and to better understand the challenges the region faced.

Minister Simmonds has had a long association with EIT, having previously worked as Chief Executive of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) for 23 years.

She says EIT has been a successful polytechnic all the way through, and has always had close connections with the community, and industries.

“EIT has been a real shining light in the polytechnic sector, particularly for regional polytechnics. There has been stable, sensible governance and management for not twenty years but decades.”

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said: “We told the Minister that we have been very proud of how EIT has served our regions of Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay over the years, providing quality education pathways under a sustainable financial model”.

“Our region has long faced challenges in reducing the number of youth not in employment, education or training, and the progress we have made has been in part due to the broad range of quality programmes on offer through EIT and their campuses.

“The transition to Te Pūkenga has been very difficult for the leadership and governance team, compounded by the cyclone from which the Taradale campus is still recovering.”

As a region, Hazlehurst says our councils will invest $4b over the next 10 years on infrastructure related to recovery and growth.

“More than ever, we will need a skilled workforce to complete this mahi, and many of these workers are yet to be trained.

They also stressed to Minister Simmonds that given the urgency of our recovery, Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay should be a priority to get a locally governed and led training institute working effectively for our communities.

The ministers visit precedes the start of consultation on the future state of vocational education and training following the post-election decision to disestablish Te Pūkenga. Minister Simmonds encouraged those in attendance to provide feedback to the consultation to ensure the regions education and training needs are best served.

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Napier auto technician completes EIT EV programme to keep up with fast evolving industry | EIT Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 days ago

Scott Kyle, an auto-technician with the Notman Motor Group in Napier, has benefited from doing the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) at EIT.

A Napier auto technician decided to complete an Electric Vehicle programme at EIT as he felt he needed to keep up with an ever-evolving industry.

Scott Kyle, who works for the Notman Motor Group in Napier, has been an auto technician for close to 25 years. He says that he has seen changes in the industry in that time, the most significant being the move to electric vehicles.

“It’s certainly a new style of vehicle to work on, with some big differences. It is not only the motor side of things, but also the systems that run alongside them.”

“I definitely enjoy it as the electrical aspect certainly appealed to me.”

Scott says that he realised that he needed to study further in order to keep up with industry changes.

He said that he was attracted to the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5)  at EIT because he had done his pre-trade qualifications at EIT and he had heard good reports about one of the tutors Scott Cunningham.

“My employer helped me with funding to do the programme, which was a bonus, but you’ve got to keep up with the times and keep learning.”

“Working on electric vehicles every day means that you need to have a solid understanding of what you are working with.”

Scott, who completed the programme at the end of last year, says that attending classes fitted in well with his working schedule. He said he also enjoyed doing the practical block courses during the year.

“They go right back to step one of what you would need to know, you know, the basic electrical principles and then build that up slowly all the way through so you’ve got a really good understanding and a refresher of some of the stuff you probably haven’t looked at for a few years with electrics.”

“The best thing for me was that I went from where we had all these electric cars coming in and feeling that I did not have a full understanding of how all those systems worked, to feeling a confidence in working with them when I finished the programme.”

Scott says that another important part of the programme was learning about the safety aspect of electric vehicles.

He says that he has no hesitation in recommending the EIT programme to anyone who wanted to progress further as an auto-technician.

Automotive Tutor and Level 5 Electric Vehicle Programme Coordinator Scott Cunningham says having technicians like Scott step up to further their knowledge in our ever-changing industry is great to see.

“Electric and hybrid vehicles are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Technicians who are great in their field need to adapt and upskill to be able to safely diagnose and understand this emerging technology. Scott is definitely a student that absolutely exceled in this programme, now putting his newly gained knowledge to use in industry.

“Having developed a year long, part-time programme in conjunction with Otago Polytechnic, we have spent the past four years delivering this programme, adding content and resources each year to keep up with technology. Having our programme gain overseas recognition from America, wishing to implement our programme and training there speaks volume.

“We have even tailored our delivery to meet the demands for students in Rarotonga that have had an influx of EVs on the Island, and have realised they will have to upskill to meet the new demand. If you are considering upskilling in this area like Scott, I highly recommend you get onboard.”

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Indigenous USA Lakota People contingent welcomed to EIT’s Te Ūranga Waka | EIT Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 days ago

An Indigenous United States Lakota People contingent was recently welcomed to EIT’s Te Ūranga Waka on the Hawke’s Bay Campus.

An Indigenous United States Lakota People contingent was recently welcomed to EIT’s Te Ūranga Waka to discuss and celebrate te reo Māori.

A pōwhiri was held on Monday, 24 June for the group, which was accompanied by Sir Tīmoti Kāretu KNZM QSO CRSNZ, a leading New Zealand academic of Māori language and performing arts. The contingent visited Aotearoa to learn how te reo Māori has been and continues to be revitalised. They have experienced the breadth and depth of Māori culture during their tour of New Zealand which included visiting Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō and Hawke’s Bay.

Puti Nuku, Pouarataki – Te Ūranga Waka and Te Whatukura, says that it was a privilege of EIT to not only welcome the indigenous contingent, but also Sir Tīmoti, who is one of the country’s foremost proponents of te reo.

“It was a real honour to be included in the itinerary of the Lakota Peoples. We had a wonderful kōrero about the importance of indigenous cultures and languages.”

“They were most interested in hearing about how te reo continues to be revitalised. We were pleased to be about to show them the kaupapa we are involved in at Te Ūranga Waka,” says Puti.

The group left the country at the end of June.

Te Ūranga Waka Senior Kaiwhakaako, Hiria Tumoana, Sir Tīmoti Karetū and EIT Kaumātua, Matiu Eru during the visit by the Lakota People contingent.

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Passion for art leads 76-year-old to EIT and to publish children’s book | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 days ago

Maureen Box (centre) shows off her new book with Tracey Adams, EIT Reprographic Technician, (left) and Raewyn Paterson, Programme Co-ordinator for EIT’s Level 3 & 4 Certificates in Art and Design.

A lifelong passion for art led 76-year-old Maureen Box to enrol at EIT’s IDEAschool – a move that has resulted in her writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Maureen (Ngāti Māhu, Ngāti Hinepare, Ngai Tāwhao, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Ahuriri) has lived a full life – passionate about education and the arts, as a mother, and in later years a teacher. She is also an active trustee on Moteo Marae, helping with the recovery from damage by Cyclone Gabrielle last year.

Maureen grew up at Moteo, near Puketapu, attending primary school there.  She now lives in Hastings.  Her husband, Paul – a musician – has since passed on, but she is surrounded by family – six children, 15 mokopuna & seven mokomoko  (great grandchildren)

Having retired as a primary school teacher nine years ago, Maureen has always enjoyed painting, stemming back from her childhood years when her father let her paint murals on the lounge wall.

It was when her daughter Melanie, who used to work at EIT, mentioned that there was an Art programme at IDEAschool that she may be interested in, that she decided to give it a go.

That turned out to be the  Level 3 Certificate in Arts and Design, which Maureen started  the same day that Cyclone Gabrielle hit.   The Course was re-started in July on the EIT campus, and despite the disruptions, Maureen was still able to attend and complete the Course. 

She is about to start the Level 4 programme in July,

however, it is her work during Level 3 that led her to opening a new chapter in her life, writing and illustrating children’s books.

When the children’s book assignment was introduced, Maureen was able to act on an idea about publishing a book that she and her daughter had thought of previously. 

“We had to write and illustrate a kiddies book, and the illustrations had to be one of the media that we were taught for that.”

The book is a pūrākau about Moremore, the son of Pānia of the Reef, a well-known story in Hawke’s Bay.  Pānia, a maiden who lived in the sea, used to come ashore at Mataruahoe, also known as Bluff Hill. Karitoki, the handsome son of a Māori chief, met Pānia at the stream flowing from the base of the Hukarere Cliff, and fell in love with her.

A son was born to Pania and Karitoki. Because he had no hair, they called him Moremore; the hairless one.  The book tells the story of Moremore, a kaitiaki (guardian) of the area, who often disguises himself as a shark, a stingray, an octopus, or a log. 

This well-known pūrākau amongst nga hapū o Ahuriri has been passed down orally, but had not been written as a kiddies ‘ book.  

“I researched online recollections, including snippets from the WAI documents, and spoke with a member  of the Tareha family to make sure that it was the authentic version”

“The Tareha family is descended from Moremore and the whakapapa is included in the book”

Maureen has both written the story, and created beautiful illustrations using inks and dyes.  Maureen was taught the conventions of book layouts for publication.  The book, called “Moremore, he Tipua Kaitiaki”, has been published by Maureen through EIT Reprographic Services and she is looking at a second print run as a friend of hers has translated the book into te reo.

It is just the beginning for Maureen, who feels that the stories of Ahuriri and Heretaunga, should be preserved ensuring that the essence of pūrākau, lives on.

“I like to keep busy and I like learning something new. You’re never too old to stop learning, for sure.”

Raewyn Paterson, Programme Co-ordinator for EIT’s Level 3 & 4 Certificates in Art and Design, said: “Maureen was a really high achieving student, who eagerly embraced all of the media that she was introduced to which included textiles, printmaking, drawing, painting, typography, and ceramics.”

“It is so rewarding to see our graduate take the skills she was taught and further develop them into the reality of a published book. “

“We are certainly looking forward to seeing what other projects she will do when she learns more skills in the Level 4 Arts and Design.”

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EIT celebrates World Environment Day by planting natives | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 seconds ago

EIT staff and students helped plant natives at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC) on Wednesday to mark World Environment Day.

EIT celebrated World Environment Day by planting natives at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC).

Primary Industries Programme Coordinator Lisa Turnbull says they wanted to do their part for World Environment Day.

World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth.

The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its inception in 1973.

This year, the overall theme focuses on land restoration, halting desertification, and building drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”

The planting day at the Hawke’s Bay Campus was among more than 3000 events registered globally on the United Nations World Environment Day map.

“It was lovely to see staff and students working alongside each other planting for a good cause. It shows that small actions can make a big difference in caring for our planet.””

Together, the Primary Industries team, including the Horticulture and Environmental Management programmes, planted about 80 native plants.

These were sourced by Mark Caves, the ŌOLC manager and included Taupata (Coprosma repens), Koromiko (Hebe), Manuka (Leptospermum), Toetoe (Austroderia) and tī kōuka (cabbage tree).

“Apart from enhancing the look of the area the native planting we do helps improve air quality, provides shelter and food for wildlife and leads to greater biodiversity.”

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After 20 years in workforce, EIT student studies further to open new opportunities | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

17 seconds ago

Joe Symonds is about to complete his Graduate Diploma in Business at EIT.

Joe Symonds had been in the workforce for 20 years when he realised that to progress further in his career, he needed to change something.

In early 2023 he enrolled at the EIT School of Business.

Initially, Joe enrolled to do the Bachelor of Business, but he soon found that the experience he had gained in his recent years in various Management roles had enabled him to apply this experience through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), fast-forwarding his pathway towards a Graduate Diploma in Business.

Born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, Joe attended St Johns College and was a keen sportsman.  His passion for Cricket led to him spending some time in the United Kingdom as a professional cricketer following completing NCEA level 3 at school.

Following his time abroad, Joe realised that he needed to find a profession, and began his journey in the Trades sector as an apprentice Plumber/ Drainlayer. Financial uncertainty in early 2008 resulted in Joe needing to seek new employment opportunities elsewhere as hard times slowed the housing market, putting a strain on the local economy. Joe left to seek new opportunities which he found in Australia, working in various remote mining locations in the Civil Infrastructure space as a 3 Waters technician/ construction worker.  

“Initially, when I decided to come back to New Zealand after 5 years working abroad, I was looking to continue plumbing in New Zealand until an opportunity to work at Fulton Hogan as a Three Waters Site Manager arose. I must have shown potential as that then quickly developed into the vacant Department Manager role and from then on, I have never really looked back “

He says that during this time he received further training and industry qualifications, but nothing in the academic realm. My time at Fulton Hogan was amazing, they are great at identifying and developing emerging talent.

“It was towards the end of my time at Fulton Hogan, and further highlighted during my recent employment at Stantec as a Contracts Manager which exposed me to the value of higher education”.

Following these “key development years” in the workforce, Joe made the bold decision to pause, regroup, and embark on a journey of personal and professional improvement. “I had been relatively successful in what I was achieving but always felt I was missing some form of higher qualification, so I decided to pause and seek a higher education.”

“I wanted to progress and that’s basically where it was. I physically wanted to challenge myself academically, as well as a desire to come out with a piece of paper that formally recognized my experience and ability”.

This led him to EIT in 2023, where Russell Booth, Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator – Business, soon realised that with his work experience, Joe might qualify to do the Graduate Diploma. He is now set to finish his Graduate Diploma in Business next month.

It has not been an easy journey, juggling a busy family life, with part-time work opportunities when time allows, but the content within the School of Business programme, and the personal growth he has experienced throughout the process have been both rewarding and refreshing.

Joe says that following the completion of his recent studies he is keen to continue in the Civil industry.

“I look at things slightly differently these days, experience is a great teacher. Having the practical experience to draw on is great, but I feel more confident knowing I can also draw on the theory behind certain things, and have a positive influence”.

Russell Booth says: “Joe is an excellent student – and highly competent in the classroom environment.However, with Joe’s extensive industry experience we initially conducted a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) exercise. This resulted in Joe gaining six courses through RPL, needing him to only complete two more courses to complete his Graduate Diploma.”

“This has not only significantly cut down the time and cost to complete the qualification but it is an excellent way of recognising the experience and knowledge someone like Joe has against a qualification framework.”

“It is a tried and tested process we think many people in Hawke’s Bay can also benefit from and we welcome applications from people who think they qualify!”

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Scholarship helps EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) student fulfil promise to late mother | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) student Olivia Thomas has been awarded the Margaret Hetley Scholarship.

Being awarded the Margaret Hetley Scholarship has given EIT student Olivia Thomas a much-needed boost to fulfil the promise she made to her late-mother of becoming a primary school teacher.

The 24-year-old is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) at the Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale. She says it is “surreal” to have been chosen for the scholarship.

The scholarship, worth $2,500 is in memory of Margaret Hetley, who gifted the land on which EIT Hawke’s Bay is located, for the purpose of tertiary education in the region. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Ōtātara Trust to assist women to undertake tertiary study.

“I feel a massive wave of gratitude,” Olivia says of the scholarship.

“I just went for the scholarship. But I thought there’s probably heaps of people that would go for it and I’ll never be able to be one of them. So, I was very surprised.”

Olivia says she would like to think her mum Jacqui, who passed away in June 2022, would have been proud of her.

“That’s the first thing that my uncle said, how excited she would be. Because she was the first person that I thought about calling when I heard that I got the scholarship. She is always the first person I want to call to tell good news to.”

Her mum, an Occupational Therapist, was a huge inspiration and motivator for her.

“One of the promises that I made to her was that I was going to get in and try studying to be a teacher. And I got into the course a couple of months after she had passed.”

“It just felt like it was meant to be and I had something positive to look forward to after losing her. It also felt like it was a sign that she wanted me to continue on with my dreams even though I was still grieving.”

“She’s my main role model. She always inspired me to be the best version of myself. She always believed that I’d be a great teacher someday and she inspired me to fulfil my dreams.”

The 24-year-old first started working with children at an after school care programme at 17.

Her first year was challenging due to Cyclone Gabrielle, but she is now enjoying being back on campus.

“The main reason I chose EIT was the placement opportunities throughout the year, compared to other universities where they do it at the end of the year. It’s great to be able to apply everything I’ve learnt in the classroom.”

Last year, she was at Irongate School in Flaxmere and this year, she is at Napier Intermediate, which happens to be the school she attended in Year 7 and 8.

“It’s fun coming back and being on the other side.”

Careers Counsellor Shelley Oliver says the Scholarship Panel were “very impressed” with Olivia’s application and references provided.

“We wish Olivia well for her Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) studies for 2024 and look forward to hearing about her progress.”

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Former EIT Head of School returns as Executive Director, Student and Academic Services | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

13 seconds ago

Dr Ondene van Dulm is EIT’s new Executive Director, Student and Academic Services.

EIT’s former Head of School for Health and Sport Science, Dr Ondene van Dulm, is returning from a secondment at Te Pūkenga to take up the role of Executive Director, Student and Academic Services.

Prior to working at EIT, Dr van Dulm was a lecturer and researcher at the University of Canterbury and the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. When EIT became part of Te Pūkenga, Dr van Dulm was seconded to the new institute to lead programme unification. She was later appointed as Head of Domain, Kaiāwhina and Health.

With the Government indicated change in direction for Te Pūkenga, Dr van Dulm has now returned to be part of EIT’s Executive team.

It is a role that she is not only qualified for, but one she is looking forward to.

“It’s going to be an interesting time ahead, with a lot of challenges and opportunities for our sector, so that’s pretty exciting. I think we have a great balance at EIT, with existing executives who have been in their roles for a while, and a few newcomers.”

“I’m really looking forward to contributing to strategic planning as we navigate the path forward for tertiary and vocational education in our region.”

EIT’s Executive Director, Kieran Hewitson, welcomed Dr van Dulm to the team.

“Ondene has played an important role in the establishment of Te Pūkenga and now she will bring that expertise to EIT as we go forward.”

“This is an important time for EIT as we continue to offer quality programmes. Ondene will add value to the Student and Academic Services role.”