Rangatahi Māori create health and wellbeing guidelines aimed at youth | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

18 mins ago

Rangatahi involved in the Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines kaupapa at Waipatu Marae.

Rangatahi Māori in Hawke’s Bay have launched a health and wellbeing kaupapa that aims to reflect what resonates with today’s youth.

Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines, which were launched last Monday (March 4) at Waipatu Marae, is part of Nourishing Hawke’s Bay: He wairua tō te kai, a collaborative local project between Te Kura i Awarua Ranagahau Māori Research Centre at EIT | Te Pūkenga and the University of Auckland (UoA).

For the last year, these rangatahi Māori from four different high schools across the region worked on the guidelines, with the intention of encouraging their peers to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

The guidelines emphasise a balanced lifestyle that encompasses nutrition, physical activity, cultural awareness, and personal confidence.

One of the rangatahi involved, Ben Tu-Pairi Davies says it is about “encouraging rangatahi not to give up and to fight for their health and prioritise their wellbeing”.

It is being disseminated as a 20-week social media campaign, with each guideline dropping as a video featuring the rangatahi Māori behind the kaupapa and influencers; Tamati Rimene-Sproat, Pere Wihongi and Georgia Awatea Jones.

Rangatahi are encouraged to engage with the videos and create their own on different social media platforms to show how they are using the guidelines.

EIT Māori and Indigenous Research Professor, David Tipene-Leach says these guidelines are holistic and inclusive of environmental issues and may be the basis of the next generation of wellbeing.

The rangatahi 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 Ministry of Health Guidelines are mostly irrelevant because they are narrow, authoritarian, and no one is really looking at them. Having youth refresh these principles with a te ao Māori approach is really new.”

Professor Boyd Swinburn says it has been an inspiring journey.

“These guidelines are really innovative, and I am really proud to show these around the world.”

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.”

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.

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.”

Karakia marks another step in reopening of EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

39 seconds ago

A dawn karakia was held this morning to mark the opening of three blocks – G, M and A at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus.

A dawn karakia this morning marked a significant step in the reopening of the Hawke’s Bay campus of  EIT | Te Pūkenga.

Nearly a year after Cyclone Gabrielle caused extensive damage to the campus in Taradale, the blessing marked the opening of three blocks – G, M and A. The cyclone caused extensive damage to the Taradale site in February with up to 90 per cent of the ground-floor buildings – more than 500 rooms – being damaged by flood water and contaminated silt.

About 30 per cent of the Hawke’s Bay campus was able to be reopened for delivery in time for the start of Semester 2 in July.

The kaikarakia at this morning’s ceremony were Mana Hazel, Wirihana Raihania, Te Kaha Hawaikirangi, Piripi Smith and Chad Tareha. In attendance were EIT | Te Pukenga Staff and Management, Chris Olsen and Steve Price from Gemco Construction and Dylan Rodger from RCP.

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Glen Harkness said the opening of the three blocks was an exciting development on the road to full reopening of the campus.

“The buildings A, M and G will enable significantly more delivery and student facing services to return to campus. Of note, G block is home to the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Trades Academy, which will see secondary school students return to campus shortly.”

“We are very grateful to our staff, and our contractors and consultants who have worked hard to rebuild our campus. While we have appreciated the way the community has allowed us to deliver our programmes throughout Hawke’s Bay, it is good to be coming home and resuming normal services.”

“We are part of this community and it is important that people are able to see what we have to offer. We offer a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

Information and enrolment day an opportunity to choose career path at EIT Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 mins ago

The EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay campus will be open for an information and enrolment day between 9am and 6pm on Thursday, 25 January 2024.

Prospective learners have an opportunity identify a career path from many on offer at an EIT | Te Pūkenga information and enrolment day to be held at the Hawke’s Bay Campus this week.

The information day on Thursday 25 January will be another opportunity for the partially rebuilt campus to be showcased after it was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle a year ago. The cyclone caused extensive damage to the Taradale site in February with up to 90 per cent of the ground-floor buildings – more than 500 rooms – being damaged by flood water and contaminated silt.

About 30 per cent of the Hawke’s Bay campus was able to be reopened for delivery in time for the start of Semester 2 in July.

The information and enrolment day is open to anyone who is interested in studying at EIT | Te Pūkenga and who would like more information about what programmes are on offer.

The event will be held between 9am and 6pm at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus. Events will also be held on the same day between 10am and 2pm at the Maraenui, Hastings and CHB  Learning Centres. An information day will be held at the Wairoa Learning Centre on 31 January between 10am and 2pm. 

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Glen Harkness says a lot of hard work has been done to ensure the they were able to reopen much of the campus.

“We are part of this community and it is important that people are able to see what we have to offer.”

“We offer a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

“Whether you’re looking to get qualified, upskill, or just exploring your study options, come chat to our staff about how EIT | Te Pūkenga may support you.”

Prospective students will be given a tour of the campus and a chance to chat to the student liaison team and tutors about what is on offer.

“Our Career Advice Service is available as is information on scholarships and student loans and allowances. Staff will be also beavailable to help you complete the enrolment process,” says Glen.

Check out the EIT | Te Pūkenga website eit.ac.nz for more info or phone 0800 CALL EIT.

After ten years in management, South African immigrant keen to start Graduate Diploma of Business at EIT | Te Pūkenga | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

39 seconds ago

South African immigrant Jacques Carey is looking forward to doing his Graduate Diploma of Business at EIT | Te Pūkenga this year.

South African immigrant, Jacques Carey, who has more than ten years of management experience, as well as many certificates, courses, and an apprenticeship, is is now  keen to get back into the books.

He will do this by studying for a Graduate Diploma of Business at EIT | Te Pūkenga this year.

Jacques, 39, who moved over from South African more than five years ago, has worked for Jamestrong Packaging, both here and in Auckland, for all of those years. Jamestrong is a manufacturer and supplier of metal packaging for the food, infant and nutrition markets.

Jacques’ previous role was as a Procurement Manager at an engineering company in Randburg, South Africa before moving out to New Zealand with his wife, Tanya. He started out at Jamestrong in Auckland in January 2019 and was recently  promoted to manufacturing manager in Hawke’s Bay in June 2023.

“I started my Bachelor of Applied management at MIT in Manukau in 2022, where I resumed my studies for about 18 months, before we moved to Hawke’s Bay.”

“I moved over to EIT and went to speak to one of the lecturers, Russell Booth,  who suggested that I should do a Graduate Diploma in Management.”

In order to qualify for the diploma, Jacques has had to do the Recognition to Prior Learning (RPL) programme. This looks at all qualifications a learner has had in the past, including “life lessons”.

Jacques says he is looking forwarded to getting into his studies at EIT| Te Pūkenga as while he has enjoyed his Open Polytech course, he prefers sitting in a classroom.

“I liked the whole engagement in class.”

Apart from his studies, Jacques and Tanya are taking their time exploring New Zealand as well as enjoying family visiting from South Africa.

“The Graduate Diploma in Business suits Jacques down to the ground,” explains Russell Booth, who is also the co-ordinator for the Graduate Diploma.

“It is at the right level for Jacques and allows us to recognise the extensive depth and breadth of his impressive work history through the RPL process towards a New Zealand based qualification. The RPL process means that Jacques only needs to attend classes in person to develop the knowledge that he feels is missing and required to progress his career.”

EIT | Te Pūkenga supports local business through sponsorship of awards | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

John West, EIT|Te Pūkenga Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology, presents the Hospitality Star award category at the Napier CBD Star Awards to Teresa Cocktail Bar owners Andrea Marseglia and Sarah Mitchell. Photo by Ruby Bloom Photography

EIT | Te Pūkenga is continuing its investment in local communities by sponsoring two prestigious business awards this year –  the 2023 Napier CBD Star Awards and the Datacom Hawke’s Bay Business Awards.

Local businesses were honoured at separate events earlier this month and EIT | Te Pūkenga was one of a number of sponsors at each event. The Napier CBD Star Awards, with Spark Business Hawke’s Bay as the main sponsor, celebrates the best businesses based in the Napier CBD. The finalists were judged by a panel of business owners and industry experts and were scored on written entries, and site visits where they each had to pitch their business. EIT|Te Pūkenga was sponsor of the Hospitality Star award category. This year’s winner was Teresa Cocktail Bar. The Supreme Award went to Market St.

The Datacom Hawke’s Bay Business Awards is a prestigious awards process that celebrates successful businesses across the region from Wairoa to Central Hawke’s Bay. At the recent awards, EIT|Te Pūkenga was the sponsor of the Excellence in Innovation award, which was won by Wayfinder.

The Supreme Winner of this event was Topline Contracting Limited who won the Outstanding Social Impact award. EIT|Te Pūkenga has a connection with Topline, in that it supports the Topline Academy, an initiative to introduce cadets into the infrastructure industry, by delivering the Infrastructure Works level 2 programme three times a year and engaging their students in other life skills throughout the programme.

 EIT|Te Pūkenga has been supporting the Academy since its inception in July 2022 and have seen more than 60 graduates qualify in the level 2 programme.

John West, EIT|Te Pūkenga Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology, said that the sponsorships were an important part of the institute’s involvement in the local communities.

“We are part of our communities as we live and work in them, so we are proud to show our commitment by sponsoring categories in these prestigious awards.”

“Congratulations to all the winners. Hawke’s Bay can be proud of the calibre of businesses that we have in Napier and the rest of the region.”

“These businesses play an important part in our economy and we should all support them and wish them every success.”

Research sparks innovation and the develops professions, says Early Career Researcher

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

Max Christie

In this feature we interview staff members who have been identified as Early Career Researchers. In the spotlight is Max Christie, an Early Childhood Education Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science.

What is your highest qualification and where and when did you finish it?

Masters of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Finished in 2021.

Are you currently completing any other post graduate programmes?

No, unless you count learning to be a lecturer, which feels like a post-graduate programme in a way.

What is your role at EIT and what courses do you teach?

Lecturer or Kaiako. I teach a variety of courses. Next year I will be teaching;

– Education and Society

– Emergent Literacy

– Play, Pedagogy and Curriculum

– The History of Early Childhood Education

– Professionalism

– Leadership

– Artistic Languages

What areas do you specialise in?

 I would say that I have expertise within most aspects of Early Childhood Education. It is difficult to narrow this down to one or two areas of particular expertise.

What research have you been involved in either last year or this year (please give details)?

None. I have just started work as a lecturer, previous to this I was travelling, teaching in and managing Early Childhood Centres

How important is research to you as an academic?

Vital. We must always strive to create new and interesting provocations for practitioners in order to spark innovation and the development of our profession in ECE.

How supportive is EIT in encouraging you to do research?

EIT has been very clear that I will be supported to do research and that this is a key part of my role which is very exciting

The post Research sparks innovation and the develops professions, says Early Career Researcher first appeared on EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

EIT | Te Pūkenga graduate youngest to win Young Winemaker of the Year | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

Alena Kamper, a graduate of the Bachelor of Viticulture & Wine Science Concurrent at EIT | Te Pūkenga, is the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year.

An EIT | Te Pūkenga graduate has been named the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year.

At 22 years old, Alena Kamper, who now works as a Cellar Hand at Sacred Hill Winery in Hawke’s Bay, is the youngest person to win the coveted title.

“I am over the moon. It still feels quite surreal,” Alena says.

“Especially with the calibre of the contestants this year, I think it could have been anyone’s game. So incredible to take it out. I feel very very honoured.”

The national final took place at The Bone Line in North Canterbury on Tuesday (October 31). The  three finalists delivered their speeches at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration in Christchurch the following evening, when the overall winner was announced.

It comes just a year into Alena’s career, having completed the Bachelor of Viticulture & Wine Science Concurrent at EIT | Te Pūkenga at the end of last year, and graduated in August.

Alena was initially nervous to enter the competition but is glad she took the plunge. She first won the North Island Young Winemaker of the Year in September, qualifying her for the national final. 

“I definitely felt like I was quite the underdog in the situation. So just so surreal when they called my name out. It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much.”

Alena won two section prizes; the Fruitfed Supplies best speech and the Indevin Wine Judging Section.

The speech topic was: “Why is your region unique and how does it complement other regions to make New Zealand wine altogether unique?” Each contestant had the same topic and had to speak on their specific region.

“That was definitely a highlight, especially when you get the chance to talk highly of your region. It just felt so easy to write and I truly believe that Hawke’s Bay is the best wine region of New Zealand, so it was awesome.”

Alena looks back at her time at EIT | Te Pūkenga with fondness, saying the programme was recommended to her by an old science teacher of hers at the school she attended, Sacred Heart College.

She says she loved the degree and was pleased that the lecturers gave one-on-one help to students.

“I think it’s just been the perfect launch platform. They give you just so many skills to be able to ask the questions and interpret all the things that you come across in the industry. It gave me great connections to start off with and it’s been awesome.”

As NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, Alena took home a prize package that includes $1000 cash, a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey cooperage in Burgundy, France, and the opportunity to be an associate judge in the 2024 New World Wine Awards and review some of her favourite wines in DrinksBiz magazine.

The Head of the EIT | Te Pūkenga School of Viticulture and Wine Science, Sue Blackmore said they are so excited for Alena.

“An incredible achievement for someone less that a year out of study. We wish her all the best for what will be an amazing career in the Wine industry.”