Category: EIT Tairawhiti

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Having an impact on people’s lives at heart of EIT educator’s philosophy | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

16 mins ago

Dr Gareth Allison is EIT’s new Head of the School of Business

An EIT educator who spent time working at an Indigenous tertiary institute in Australia’s Northern Territory, says that having an impact on people’s lives and in communities is key.

Dr Gareth Allison, who is EIT’s new Head of the School of Business, says that his job as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Tertiary Education and Research at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education gave him an insight into the role that education can play in people’s lives. He also spent part of his time there in the acting CEO role.

“What was great about the roles was what you were doing as an organisation was making a real impact on people’s lives. In that context it was changing the lives of people, families and communities that had been damaged by colonialism“

“We had a wide variety of offerings from very low level literacy and numeracy programmes delivered in the prisons, right through to postgraduate courses. I enjoyed my time there and it really was a place where I learnt a lot of lessons.”

Gareth, who joined EIT in May as postgraduate programme coordinator and lecturer in the Schools of Business and Computing, is looking forward to his new role heading the School of Business. He has also been appointed Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality and the English Language Centre.

He is originally from Kaikōura and has worked extensively within the tertiary education sector since receiving his PhD from Lincoln University. He has worked at Lincoln University, Auckland University of Technology, Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, the University of Canterbury and Ara Institute of Canterbury as well.

Gareth, who ran his own business in Christchurch for about a year after returning from Australia, says that he decided to come to EIT because it had always had a good reputation in the Polytech sector.

“I enjoy this sector a lot, its applied and real and I feel that you can make more of a difference.”

“I think that after what this community has been through, it’s a chance to make an impact and to do something meaningful, which is, to me,  quite important.”

Research has been an important part of Gareth’s career and he is enjoying connecting with EIT’s rich research culture. His own doctoral thesis examined Cross-cultural motivations for the consumption of luxury products, but his interests are now more about multicultural marketplaces, food marketing, and ethical consumption.

He says that he is looking forward to the challenge of being Head of three distinct schools (Business, Tourism and Hospitality and the English Language Centre).

“My job in that space is to help to grow those areas till they are sustainable and vibrant and doing all the things they need to do.”

He says that while an important part of the School of Business was the postgraduate programmes in Auckland which focused on international students, he is keen to grow the undergraduate offering in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, as well as postgraduate offerings for domestic students in Hawke’s Bay.

“What i’d like to see is for the business school as a whole to be more engaged with the region that we’re in, to be more relevant, to be more a part of the community that we live and work in, and to be a real contributor to the economy of this region in terms of developing skills and creating opportunities for businesses and for students.”

“I’d also like for us to be more connected to all of our stakeholders, including Māori, and to increase our relevance in that space over time.”

John West, EIT’s Executive Dean: Faculty of Commerce and Technology, says: “EIT is delighted to be able to appoint Gareth who brings a breadth of Australian educational leadership and management experience, and a deep understanding of delivering educational outcomes to learners that often find access and success at tertiary education difficult.”

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Top Auckland car dealership chooses EIT for EV training | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 hours ago

A top Auckland car dealership chooses EIT as its preferred option to train its auto-technicians in the latest electric vehicle technology.

Andrew Simms Motor Group, which has six dealerships across Auckland, first began enrolling auto-technicians in EIT’s NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) last year.

Andrew Simms Group General Manager Aftersales, Travis Cross, said that his company had sent  members of their team to an EV programme at another provider in Auckland last year as well as sending three people to EIT.

“We just wanted to test the water with the offerings that were available. And from the response we got back, the offering from EIT was relatively more substantial and significant than what was on offer locally up here.”

“We made the choice based on that, that we’d actually support EIT by flying our team there, putting them up in accommodation for the night to get a better level of training out of the programme that was offered.”

Travis said that the setup of the programme was ideal for his team in that it combined online classrooms with three practical block courses at EIT in Napier during the year.

“The environment at EIT is quite intimate so our technicians have good access to the tutors.”

Travis says that EVs have changed the dynamics of the industry and it was important to have a training organisation upskilling their technicians.

Scott Cunningham, the Programme Coordinator for Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering [Level 5]  at EIT, said that creating a solid industry connection with Andrew Simms motor group has been positive for both EIT and Andrew Simms.

“The high number of trained technicians coming through our programme have been able to extend their knowledge in the EV and Hybrid sector and  successfully diagnose uncommon and complex faults in these vehicles. They also now have a greater understanding of how all the systems and subsystems function and operate in depth.”

“We have also been able to keep in touch with these technicians after the programme and have received feedback on late model vehicles they have successfully diagnosed and repaired with their newly gained knowledge.”

“Andrew Simms Motor Group has continued to enrol more technicians throughout the year and EIT appreciates the support and commitment to our programme.”

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EIT offers study opportunities with Year 13 Scholarships | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

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6 mins ago

The Year 13 Scholarship, which is offered annually by EIT, covers one year of tuition fees.

EIT is once again offering students (ākonga) in their last year of school the opportunity to apply for a limited number of Year-13 scholarships to study their chosen career.

The Year 13 Scholarship, which is offered annually by EIT, covers one year of tuition fees.

The Scholarship supports school leavers across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions to study any one of EIT’s degrees or selected level 5  diploma programmes that lead into a degree by providing one year FREE study. Students who live outside the region may be eligible for the scholarship in some programmes that are available nationwide.

EIT Liaison Advisor MacKenzie Ninomiya says the scholarship offers school students in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti the opportunity to remain at home and study what they are interested in.

“Some of our students are still surprised that they can study a degree locally. We’ve got some really specialised degrees which are well-renowned across the country.”

“Examples of this are our Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science; our Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts, which is based at Toihoukura in Tairāwhiti; or our Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing.”

“We’ve got some degrees that are open to students nationwide, but primarily we want to focus on our Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti students to keep them local.”

MacKenzie says that not only is it cheaper for students, because they can live at home, but they also have the wraparound support from whānau, which helps them succeed. They also benefit from a lower student loan at the end of the degree.

Applications close on 27 September and more information can be found at https://www.eit.ac.nz/students/year13scholarship/. To register interest in the Year 13 Scholarship email yr13@eit.ac.nz.

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Love of cars leads young Tairāwhiti woman to study automotive engineering at EIT | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 days ago

Celia Brooking enrolled in the Level 3 Certificate in Automotive Engineering at EIT last year and is now doing her apprenticeship for the Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering.

Growing up around cars has led a young Tairāwhiti woman to study automotive engineering at EIT, with the hope of breaking into the still male-dominated industry.

Celia Brooking (Ngāti Porou) grew up in Tairāwhiti,went to Gisborne Girls’ High School and last year she enrolled  in the Level 3 Certificate in Automotive Engineering at EIT.

A love of cars and tinkering under the hood led Celia to follow her dream and study at the Tairāwhiti Campus from last July until April this year. She has not looked back and is now doing her apprenticeship for the Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering.

“It was really cool. Much more so than I expected. I got to learn every aspect of a car and how everything works and how to service the car.”

“My tutors in Level 3 were excellent and I still associate with them today.”

Celia, 18, says that while it can still be tough being a female in a male-dominated industry, “everyone’s been pretty accepting and pretty nice, especially where I’m working right now”.

Where she is working now is Overnight Service Centre in Gisborne, where she is doing her apprenticeship and gets to service vehicles and help out with other work as well.

As for the future, Celia has some options. One is to head over to Australia to continue her career and be closer to some of her family. She sees it as a “fresh start”.

However, another alternative is to continue her studies at EIT. With her industry changing at pace, Celia is interested in learning more about servicing electric vehicles. She is considering enrolling in the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) when she finishes her current programme.

As for her advice to other women wanting to enter the automotive engineering industry, Celia says “if you want to get into it, just do it”.

Tim Jagusch, Assistant Head of the School of Trades and Technology said: “The two most important attributes our industries are looking for are time management and work ethic. Celia possesses these attributes – along with a good attitude. “

“All this contribute to her success and she is an exemplar student.”

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EIT delegation visits China for meetings and graduation of first cohort of Data Science and Communications programme | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

An EIT delegation has paid a visit to China to hold meetings with its partner Zhejiang Yuexiu University and to attend the very first graduation ceremony of EIT Data Science and Communications College of ZYU students, who started in 2020.

An EIT delegation has just returned from China where it held joint management, teaching and academic meetings to further a partnership with Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages (ZYU); and attending the very first graduation ceremony of EIT Data Science and Communications College of Zhejiang Yuexiu University students.

The joint International College partnership between EIT and ZYU began in 2020. That first year saw 230 students starting on the campus in Shao Xing City, Zhejiang Province, Southeast China.

Approval from the China Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) paved the way for EIT to deliver its degree programmes in China. The joint venture supports the delivery of two of EIT’s degrees, the Bachelor of Creative Practice and the Bachelor of Computing Systems and , with three majors offered in Information Systems, Intelligent Systems and Digital Media.

The delegation that went to China last month was Philippa Jones, EIT Executive Director International; EIT’s two Executive Deans John West and Helen Ryan-Stewart; and Sue Blackmore, Head of School, Viticulture and Wine Science & IDEAschool. The delegation was joined in China by  Kaylie Tan, Deputy Dean, EIT Data Science and Communications College, China.

The purpose of the visit was twofold – holding joint management, teaching and academic meetings to further the partnership; and attending the very first graduation ceremony of EIT Data Science and Communications College of Zhejiang Yuexiu University students, who started in 2020.

More than 200 students graduated, 56 with an EIT Bachelor Degree in either Bachelor of Computing Systems or Bachelor of Creative Practice, while the other students graduated with the ZYU qualification.

The event was livestreamed across China and received more than 560,000 views. Graduating as top student in their degrees were Ming Tong HU – Bachelor of Computing Systems (Information Systems); Bin GUAN – Bachelor of Computing Systems (Intelligent Systems); and Lequn XU – Bachelor of Creative Practice.

A celebratory dinner for the delegation was hosted by President Gang Xiu, his Executive Vice President Ms Xiaolin WEI; his Vice Presidents (Academic) Mr Wentao Chen, and Vice President (International) Ms Jinling Ge.

The delegation also met with a number of directors and managers of ZYU and EIT Data Science and Communication College. There was also visit to Qi LU University and a meeting with seven institutions as part of the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE).

A group of eight ZYU staff will be visiting EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus from July for five weeks as part of a 12-week training programme delivered to upskill ZYU staff both in China and in NZ. A group of 18 ZYU students and a teacher will come on a study tour to EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in August for two weeks.

Philippa Jones says that the visit was a success as it built on the solid relationship that EIT has with ZYU and also showcased the hard work that had gone into the first graduation.

“We look forward to many more graduations as we continue to see the EIT Data Science and Communications College grow. This is a milestone in our partnership because it is the very first graduation from our ZYU joint education institute partnership.”

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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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EIT’s new Pouarahi Māori brings passion for mātauranga Māori to role | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

EIT’s new Pouarahi Māori (Executive Director Māori), Layelin Stewart, with his wife Stella.

EIT has a new Pouarahi Māori (Executive Director Māori), Layelin Stewart, who brings a passion for Mātauranga Māori to the role.

Layelin (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Maniapoto) was welcomed to EIT at a pōwhiri on the Hawke’s Bay Campus yesterday (Monday). He has been one of eight National Ako Directors at Te Pūkenga, responsible for Mātauranga Māori, since April last year.

Layelin says  that he is pleased to be coming back to his East Coast roots.

“One of the really standout things for me when considering my application to the role was how vibrant the mātauranga Māori community is over there on the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay.”

“I think it’s a role of service to supporting and promoting  success for Māori students and  staff, as well as navigating the way in which EIT might support iwi aspirations.”

“Of equal importance is supporting our organisational understanding of Te Tiriti excellence and how we explore what that might look like. It is also about how I serve and support my fellow executive staff members, colleagues, and our broader EIT staff collectives , in their understanding of tikanga Māori and how mātauranga Māori or Māori ways of being, doing and knowing might serve as a bridge towards nationhood, albeit at the EIT local level.”

Layelin, 45, first came to Te Pūkenga as Senior Māori Advisor in the office of the Deputy Chief Executive of Academic Delivery Innovation. Before that he was involved in Māori education for more than 20 years.

His most recent role before Te Pūkenga was as Deputy Principal at Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o te Aroha in Te Awamutu from 2017 to Oct 2021. His career has seen him work as Kaiako in Kura Kaupapa Māori, Kura ā-iwi and Wharekura in Gisborne and Waikato, including his hometown of Te Kuiti.

He also had a stint as a radio broadcaster for Iwi Radio Station Te Reo Irirangi o Maniapoto between 2006 and 2009.

Layelin has whakapapa links to Te Kūiti, Ruatoki and Gisborne, but grew up in Gisborne, where he attended Gisborne Boys High, before finishing his last year at Te Awamutu College. He enjoys the outdoor life and spending time with his wife Stella and their blended family of six children and 2 mokopuna.

EIT’s Executive Director Kieran Hewitson welcomed Layelin, saying that he would add value to the Executive Team.

“We are pleased to have Layelin join the Executive team. Layelin brings insights and experience to this role that will advance our relationships with our Tiriti Partners and set the strategic direction for responding to the opportunities to deliver better outcomes for Māori.”

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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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Young mum says she is fitter and more confident after completing EIT’s Services Pathway programme | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

26 seconds ago

Quinn Sidney (Ngāti Porou), pictured here with son Roha, completed the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Services Pathway) (Level 3) at EIT Tairāwhiti this year.

A young Tolaga Bay mum says that she is fitter and more confident after completing EIT’s Services Pathway programme and now she is hoping to join the police services.

Quinn Sidney (Ngāti Porou) completed the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Services Pathway) (Level 3) at EIT Tairāwhiti this year.

Quinn, 24, who is mum to her toddler son Roha, says that she has a deep love for the outdoors and enjoys spending time with her horses and Roha.

Born and bred in Tolaga Bay, Quinn went to school at Gisborne Girls High, leaving in Year 11 and then enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3) at EIT.

“I didn’t follow through with that, but I did a couple years apprenticeship for an electrical trade.”

“I enjoyed the money but I didn’t really enjoy the job too much. COVID made things a bit hard but my biggest change was becoming a mum as well, doing another jump in careers.”

Quinn worked in a number of roles in retail, farming and administration, but had wanted to join the police. A previously unsuccessful attempt to join the police led her to enrol in the Services Pathway programme.

“I was super-duper unfit after having baby and I’ve actually tried to join the police previously when I was a lot fitter so I had some sort of idea on what I needed to do to get in.”

“I just knew I wouldn’t make it on my own and I just needed some help.”

“I love the whole aspect of working in a career that shows not one day being the same, and feel the police force could provide this, I knew beforehand that I’m pretty good with my words and showing understanding and empathy towards people from all walks of life, I know one day I’d make a great police woman..”

“Being a new mum made establishing a regular fitness routine challenging. Before the course, I struggled to find motivation and didn’t know where to begin. With the  biggest support from my mum, who helped with childcare and encouraged me throughout the 19 weeks, I overcame initial doubts.”

Quinn says she has no hesitation in recommending the programme for others and says that even if she is not accepted into the police, there are options to get into the army, navy or airforce.

“The course was well-structured, allowing me to complete assessments efficiently, with minimal additional study time needed, making it manageable to balance life as a studying mum.”

Quinn credits Services Pathway tutor Adaam Ross for being supportive and understanding.

“His guidance inspired me to consider joining the territorial forces one day, something I hadn’t known much about before. There was not one day he wasn’t pushing us when we needed it. Adaam definitely helped us learn a thing or two, mentally and physically preparing us for the forces.”

“As I reflect on my time on the course, I now have more energy to be a mum. I have overcome a lot of my anxieties not just with my physical abilities but with being able to give 110 percent effort every day, as well as knowing when to rest and recover.”

EIT Services Pathway tutor Adaam Ross says that Quinn was a really good student who had a lot on her plate.

“She managed to juggle studies and home life really well and was a real leader in the group. At the start of the programme she struggled a lot with the physical side of things. Being a new mum made it hard for her to get back into running and PT (Physical Training), especially on those days when she would turn up after a sleepless night with a teething baby, which I could relate to.”

“She knew what it was going to take to meet the standard physically for the Police and she knuckled down and worked extremely hard, knocking at least 4 minutes off her 2.4km run time.”

“I believe Quinn would make a great Police Officer because she has had a few life experiences, interacting and communicating with people are just a couple of her strong points.”

“It was an absolute pleasure to have her on my programme and I would recommend her to any organisation, I wish Quinn all the very best for her future career and it was great to play a small part in her journey to becoming a Police Officer.”

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EIT gives Tairāwhiti school students chance to experience horticulture industry | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

9 seconds ago

Nigel Udy, Head of EIT’s School of Primary Industries, say he is pleased that EIT’s Rural Studies Unit in Tairāwhiti is hosting the Young Grower of the Year regional finals.

EIT’s School of Primary Industries is giving school students from Tairāwhiti the chance to experience the horticulture industry close up by inviting them to attend the Young Grower of the Year regional finals in Gisborne next month.

The Young Grower of the Year is an annual nationwide event that sees promising young orchardists competing at a regional level with the winners proceeding to national finals. The intensive one day competition puts the growers through their paces to find a winner.

This year’s regional Tairāwhiti finals will be held at the EIT Rural Studies Unit in Gisborne from 10am to 2pm on 27 June.

Nigel Udy, Head of EIT’s School of Primary Industries, says that they realised that the event was the perfect opportunity to introduce school students to the horticulture industry.

“We are now welcoming some of our high schools to join us on the day, to witness these Horticulture stars competing, to experience the different skills you can gain from working in the industry and  to meet industry representatives.”

“The students will also have an opportunity to take part in our High School Hort challenge! If schools have students who are interested in a career within the industry or if they enjoy being outdoors, we encourage them to get in touch with us.

Nigel says that schools can invite up to 10 students each. As part of coming to the event there will be six events/sections where members from each school participate in a Horticulture challenge

“There will be a school overall winner of the day. To wrap up the day, there will also be industry speakers,  outlining the opportunities that exist for young people in the Horticulture Industry in the Tairāwhiti region. This will include job opportunities, training and education, and salaries.”