Category: General News

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

EIT Valedictorian happy to be graduating after tough times during degree | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

Travis Sumner will graduate as one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay Valedictorians after his time studying for a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).

Travis Sumner will graduate as one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay Valedictorians after his time studying for a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) was made tougher by COVID-19, Cyclone Gabrielle and kidney stones.

Travis, 41, says he was surprised to be chosen as a Valedictorian for one of the graduation ceremonies to be held at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday.

“It was quite unexpected. It is quite special for me and for my family. I’ve really enjoyed my degree, so I knew that my academic results were up there and I knew that I’d done quite well. Some people might try to aim for it, but it was something out of the blue for me.”

Travis, who is from Hawke’s Bay and went to St. John’s College, says he has wanted to be a teacher since he was about 17 years old. He remembers clearly when he initially decided he wanted to be a teacher. He was due to sit a Bursary oral exam for te reo Māori, but was nervous so skipped school instead.

“Lo and behold, just after nine o’clock there was a knock at my door and I peeked out the window and it was my Māori teacher from St John’s, Paul Blake, and he had come to pick me up because he must have realised that I was a bit scared and that, and he managed to tell me it was going to be alright.”

“We jumped in his car and we came over to Hastings to sit our examinations and I ended up passing with flying colours and I did really well. What he did for me really sparked the fire and made me want to become a teacher as well.”

After studying at a teachers’ college, however, he found himself gravitating towards hospitality and bar management.

“I ended up progressing away from teaching, but it was always in the back of my mind, like I really wanted to tick that box. I spent 26 years in hospitality and started my own business for weddings and functions and things like that and learning. I decided that it weighed quite heavily on my family time, which I enjoy. I kind of lost my why in hospitality because it was just seven days a week.”

“I have gone back to the classroom as an adult and really enjoyed my learning. A lot of the cultural stuff I did at high school came back to sort of be a wealth of knowledge for me throughout this degree. So I’ve been able to help people with their te reo Māori and things like that.”

Travis says that the journey through his degree was arduous.

“Obviously we had COVID and then we had the Cyclone (Gabrielle), but I also had kidney stones for a lot of my degree. I ended up getting my surgery put off six times and going in and out of hospital while I was trying to study as well, as well as being the sole income for my family because my wife looked after my two boys, Cayden and Lacelle.”

“So it’s been a pretty hectic three years doing all that, working obviously at the restaurant and studying as well. It was mentally draining and I got into a bit of a dark place about having my surgery put off so many times. It was hard to be on placement with kidney stones and still try to teach in the classroom, still try to produce the results that I wanted because I have a high expectation of myself.”

Travis pays tribute to his wife, Amanda, for standing by him during his studies.

“She’s probably the backbone of everything I’ve achieved because we’ve been together for 20+ years now, and yeah, she’s just very supportive of anything that I need to achieve.”

“My parents have also been there by my side and supported me through my studies which I am incredibly grateful for.”

Travis, who is now teaching at Bledisloe School in Taradale, says he encourages more people, particularly young males, to enter the industry as it is very rewarding.

“I am loving my time at Bledisloe School. It is an amazing school to begin my career.”

Associate Professor Emily Nelson, Programme Coordinator, Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) & Acting Assistant Head of School, says they are thrilled that Travis has been chosen as Valedictorian.

“He inspired all of us throughout his degree – Candidate Teachers and Teacher Educators alike – for his passion, his mātauranga and his commitment through some really tough circumstances. Tamariki and kura for years to come will benefit from his unique and powerful presence as a Kaiako.”

Posted on

EIT Business Studies graduand says being Valedictorian is a significant award | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

Ashleigh Kearns-Steed, who will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Studies (Management) next Friday, as been chosen as one of two Hawke’s Bay Valedictorians.

Ashleigh Kearns-Steed, who will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Studies (Management) next Friday, says she was overcome with emotion when she was asked to be one of the two Hawke’s Bay valedictorians.

Not only is she graduating at one of two ceremonies at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday, 12 April, but she will also be Valedictorian. It is an honour she does not take lightly.

“Well, it’s a significant award for not just myself, but my whānau, as well as I will be the first Kearns walking across the stage.”

“It’s a true honour. I’m extremely grateful to be able to represent my whānau as well as all who are graduating from EIT. It means the world, trust me, I cried heaps.”

Graduation is the culmination of a time of studies full of achievements. Last year Ashleigh was selected for the prestigious Te Hononga-ā-Kiwa scholarship, which recognises excellence in Māori students. The scholarship is a Māori student of excellence award, which has seen chosen students previously travel to Chile, Taiwan, and Ecuador. Ashleigh attended last year’s rōpū in Columbia.

It has been a long journey for the 25-year-old Ashleigh, who left high school at about 15, worked in retail for about six years, before spending some time in Italy.

“I did not think that I had the knowledge, and I didn’t realise that there was a pathway for me, especially any kind of educational pathway without carrying on my high school education.”

“I did not believe that I had a career path there for me. That was until I got back from my overseas travel, a korero with my brother and partner was sparked; inspiring me to apply for my business degree.”

Ashleigh has nothing but praise for EIT and her lecturers.

“I started at EIT when COVID first kicked in, so all lectures were based on teams, online. So that was a bit of a struggle, due to never having the experience of using a laptop before. The teachers, the lecturers were very transparent that it was a new setup for them as well. Together, we all learned how we could best make it work for one another. And we did. I still remember my first day going onto campus, and feeling the appreciation for face-to-face learning, there is a significant difference between the two types of learning.”

“I’m extremely grateful for the time that I had at EIT. Many of my friends went to large universities, and I did not realise how privileged I was to be able to generate relationships with my lecturers instead of just learning from them. There was always open opportunity for us to have korero with our teachers and they made that known. They went above and beyond for me in many circumstances.”

Since graduating, life has got even better for Ashleigh as she is now working for Te Kura i Awarua, EIT’s Māori research unit.

“I love my job; I have new opportunities each week to network and gain knowledge of the culture we have here in Te Matau-a-Māui. I’m extremely grateful for the chance to continue my learning of Te Ao Māori and continue to make a difference in the world. I wish I could revisit myself as a young girl and tell her the story I have made for myself so far; I just know little Ashleigh would be just as proud of me as I am now.”

Next stop for Ashleigh is a Masters, with the ultimate goal being a PhD.

Russell Booth, Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator – Business at EIT, said: “Ashleigh is an exceptional young woman both on and off campus. Once she arrived at EIT she quickly got into her stride with excellent grades. Ashleigh’s compassion and care for her whānau and community is unbounded and this was displayed in the classroom with her fellow students.”

“Ashleigh epitomises everything of a strong, young wahine student at EIT. Her resilience is huge having overcome many personal challenges and issues and clearly demonstrated with where she is today.”

Posted on

Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT sets former student up for job at Nanogirl | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

44 seconds ago

A Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT has set former student Georgia Paterson up for her chosen career.

A Bachelor of Business Studies at EIT has set former student Georgia Paterson up for a job with renowned scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson at her Auckland company Nanogirl.

Georgia, 21, will be graduating at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday, where she will also be awarded the Fletcher Challenge Trust Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Management.

She says that she realised in year nine at Havelock North High School that she wanted to study at EIT.

“I knew that I didn’t want to go to university. I don’t know why. I think just the debt that you can get up, moving away from home, I didn’t have a set decision what I wanted to study. So university for me was always out of the picture. And then in year 10, you can take a business subject at Havelock High. So I took that and I really enjoyed it.”

“The teacher was really awesome, and you can’t take it in year 11, but you can take it in year 12 and 13. So I took that as one of my subjects all the way through, and it was just a subject that I really enjoyed and I excelled at as well. So when I kind of got to the end of high school, I was tossing up whether I wanted to work, just go in and work full time or study at EIT.

“Obviously, 2019 was peak COVID for all of us and because of that and the risk of jobs and redundancy and things like that, I just kind of decided, I looked at EIT, the programme has everything you need. It was affordable. I could live at home, I could still work part-time, and I was doing something that I actually wanted to do. And I feel like the business degree is quite versatile, like it’s really broad and it doesn’t dial you down into one specific thing.”

Not only did Georgia have to deal with COVID-19, but also the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused devastation to EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus. However, she is now glad that she has finished her degree and set to graduate on Friday.

“Even with the award and everything, it was all quite a shock and very exciting. So it’d be cool to just finally actually officially graduate.”

“The letter came through and I was at work, and it was such a nice surprise.”

Her parents will be at the ceremony as well as her Auckland boss, Dr Michelle Dickinson, who is also her cousin.

She says that when she was offered an internship at Nanogirl, she jumped at it. When her internship finished at the end of last year, she was offered a maternity position as operations manager.

“It’s always busy, always learning new things, and even just being in the city, it’s totally different to Hawke’s Bay. So it’s been a real eye-opener with what goes on in a fast-paced area.”

“Currently, I’m the operations manager. So part of the business, is we do lots of live events. So we run over a hundred birthday parties and assembly school shows. I organise the staffing and the rotation and everything to do with that to make sure it all runs smoothly and that the customer gets what they’ve ordered.”

As for the future, Georgia says she is still figuring that out.

“I’m still kind of figuring that out, but I think just because of my strengths and what I’m good at. I think I will look into event management or project management further down the line.”

Russell Booth, Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator – Business at EIT, said: “Georgia has always been a focused and organised young woman and it is no surprise to any of the staff within the School of Business that she is now the Operations Manager at Nanogirl.”

“Georgia obviously made a big impression whilst completing her final semester internship. Her strengths have always been about being organised and organising others coupled with a real drive to succeed and it will be fascinating to see where Georgia’s career path takes her as she gains more confidence and experience.”

Posted on

Seed collection unearthed at EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

19 mins ago

Environmental Management Lecturer Dr Glen Robertshaw with an expansive seed collection dating back to the late 70s.

More than 1000 seed samples dating back to the 70s have been unearthed at EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale.

The collection features seed varieties of different sizes, shapes and colours from around the world.

Environmental Management Lecturer Dr Glen Robertshaw says it is a thing of beauty.

“As part of the unpacking and moving back into our building we have come across a curious wooden box with about 1000 seed samples from all around the world.”

Two index books that came with the collection provided the collector’s name A J England, and details of where the seeds came from between 1978 and 1984.

Robertshaw asked long serving staff members who knew nothing about it, and an internet search yielded nothing. With the name, he turned to the White Pages.

“I wanted to see if there were any Englands around in Hastings, so I looked through the White Pages and just rang a few people. Eventually his son, Darren England, rang me back.”

Darren England says he knew his father, who passed away in 2016, had donated the collection to EIT and after the floods, wondered what had happened to it.

“It’s nice to see the legacy is carrying on.”

A J England pictured in the 1980s in his office at Wrightson NMA Grain Store, Omahu Road. Photo/Supplied.

His father worked in the grain and seed industry and upon moving from Australia to Hawke’s Bay, ran the grain store for Wrightson NMA.

“I remember when we were young, we’d be driving somewhere, and he’d stop the car and jump a fence and grab some seeds off something. He was always on the lookout for odd seeds.”

Darren says his father made the wooden stands and case from scratch.

“I think it was too good to get rid of it and none of the family wanted it so he thought EIT could use it. He just wanted it to stay local I think.”

Horticulture and Environmental Management Lecturer Gerard Henry says the collection is “fairly unique”.

“I mean, it may not have been an untypical thing to have taken part in back in the 70s and even in the 80s. But for it to have survived and for us to find it now is pretty rare I’d say.”

Robertshaw, who teaches biosecurity and soil science courses, says the research opportunities are endless. He has also spoken to Massey University which has an extensive seed collection.

“We can do a lot from looking at the viability of the seeds after all this time to looking at DNA changes over time between varieties then and the varieties now. And at the very least it’s a teaching resource for us.”

EIT offers level 5 and 6 of the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management, as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management).

Posted on

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.”

Posted on

EIT Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti student set to graduate despite tough Cyclone Gabrielle year | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

Avril Keelan is looking forward to graduating at the EIT |Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

Despite Cyclone Gabrielle forcing Ruatoria-based Avril Keelan online to complete her degree through EIT | Te Pūkenga, she is now looking forward to graduating on Friday.

Avril (Ngāti Porou) is a teacher at Te Kura o Hiruharama in Ruatoria, who finished her Bachelor of Arts (Maori) from EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti last year. She is set to graduate at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

The original plan was for Avril to travel down to complete the programme at the Tairāwhiti Campus, but Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, which wreaked havoc in the region, put paid to that. While her property was not damaged, there was devastation around her.

“When the cyclones kicked in last year, major damage was done to the roads, so it was pretty hard to get into Gisborne, so my learning was done online.”

Because of her experience with Māori culture and her proficiency in te reo, Avril was fast-tracked into the third year of the programme last year. She had also done a degree in billigual teaching a number of years ago.

Forty-eight year old Avril, who was born in Invercargill, has lived in Tairāwhiti for many years.

She says that it is never too late for someone to study further and that’s why she decided to take a sabbatical from teaching to enrol at EIT | Te Pūkenga.

“It was the right time in my life. I’d been teaching for 15 years. I was exhausted.  But then, the opportunity arose and  I was lucky enough to receive a Teaching study award from TeachNZ last year. The course that I was doing would enhance my skills for school.  So it worked out really well.”

“It was a blessing. And now I’m back at school and my batteries are recharged and I’ve got so much to give everybody now.”

She says that what she enjoyed most about studying was being around “like-minded people”.

“Our tutors were really professional, but yet they had really good relationships with everybody. So they always made us feel really good and comfortable, and always very supportive.”

“I was also able to enhance my technology skills, because through our classes we had to use different multimedia and interactive learning.”

She says that she was also able to learn at her own pace.

One of the highlights for Avril was being able to research in depth the stories and histories of her hapu, Te Aitanga a Materoa.

“I knew a little bit, but not as much as I really thought. Having time to do thorough research was something I never had time to do previously.”

Avril says a key reason she was able to get through her degree was the support of husband Kapa Keelan, whanau, tutors Maria Wynyard and Angela Tibble and her classmates.

Angela Tibble, Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer at Te Whatukura, EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti, said: “It is an honour to be able to offer teachers from the coast, professionals alike that wish to improve their reo, tikanga and local history knowledge here at Te Whatukura. Avril thrived in this learning environment and we are glad to know she is taking the skills learnt here back into her classroom.”

Posted on

EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti cohort set to graduate after tough years of COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

7 mins ago

Fifty-three EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti ākonga (students) will graduate on Friday.

Fifty-three EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti ākonga (students) will graduate on Friday.

The graduation ceremony will be held at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne. Bachelor of Computing systems graduand Angus Bogle with deliver the Valedictorian’s address. He will also receive the Cyclone Computer Company Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems.

The graduation ceremony follows three tough years for this cohort with disruptions caused by COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tracey Tangihaere, Executive Director of the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, paid tribute to those graduating, saying it had not been an easy time for them.

“Congratulations to all those who cross the stage on Friday. Graduating is a big occasion, but this is extra special because of what they have been through.”

“We acknowledge all their hard work and wish them well in their chosen careers.”

Tracey says the calibre of those graduating was a credit to programmes offered by EIT | Te Pūkenga.

“We are pleased to offer a wide variety of programmes that ensure all our students finish equipped to enter the workforce.

The Tairāwhiti graduation is the first of EIT | Te Pūkenga graduation ceremonies. The Hawke’s Bay graduation will be held on 12 April , while the Auckland graduation will happen on 28 May.

Posted on

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

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on

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

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

52 seconds ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on

Journey of self-discovery leads to graduation for EIT Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti student | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 mins ago

EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti student Leslie Tuhou is looking forward to graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Systems on Friday.

A journey of self-discovery will culminate in EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti student Leslie Tuhou (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa) graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Systems next month.

Leslie is set to graduate at the Tairāwhiti Campus graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday, 8 March.

Leslie’s study started while she was at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Ngā Uri a Māui, where she became one of the first students from the kura to do Trades Academy. It also turned out to be the first year Computing was offered in Trades Academy at EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti.

By the time Leslie finished kura she had completed foundation and intermediate computing, putting her on a path to study further at EIT | Te Pūkenga.

“I thought about it and enrolled in Level 4, but then I received a call saying I had done well getting my NZ Certificate in Computing Intermediate User L3 and that I could move up to the degree if I wanted”.

 “I chose computing specially to separate me from the family, but in a good way, because I grew up in a sports family. I wanted to break out and do something different, I wanted to be a wahine Māori in IT, especially coming from Kura Kaupapa”.

“I enjoyed meeting new people at EIT, from all walks of life, which was something new for me. The events like ‘Clash of the Courses’ and ‘Lip Sync’ competitions were all good fun while you are getting to know the environment and interacting with people socially. And some free lunches too”.

Many courses in the computing degree captured Leslie’s interest, “especially digital forensics, databases, web, programming and subjects about data”.

She was busy in her final semester working on a group project for Tāiki E while also taking an IT research course. The project involved using IoT technologies to transform 12 pātaka kai placed out in the Gisborne community to measure the weight of fruit and vegetables, and monitor levels in real time.

With time ticking for both the Tāiki E project and her research assignment Leslie decided to write her assignment in Te Reo Māori.

“The reason I wrote the research report in Māori was because I was recuperating from illness, and everything was due. It was so much quicker and easier for me to write. I was nearly there and needed to get my assignment in on time”.

As for the research, Leslie had chosen Māori Data Sovereignty as her IT topic, highlighting key differences between indigenous data sovereignty and mainstream data sovereignty.

“Tēnei te tuku mihi ki tāku whānau, wāku hoa, wāku kaiako, me te hunga katoa i awhina ahau i tēnei haerenga. Ahakoa ngā aupiki me ngā auheke, kua ea. Mei kore ko koutou, kua kore ake ko au. Nei rā te mihi maioha atu ki a koutou katoa.”

As for the future, Leslie would like to work in an area that incorporates Māori-medium with Information Technology.

Tina Blumenthal, Senior IT Lecturer at EIT |Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti says: “Leslie has done exceptionally well to come from kura kaupapa and embrace the computing degree. She’s a great team player, has worked through the study challenges, and it is because of her tenacity, her openness to fill her kete with learning, and determination to become the best she can, that she is graduating.”

“As one of the lecturers, I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to watch Leslie’s confidence grow and help her navigate her way towards achieving her goals”.

Tracey Tangihaere, Executive Director of the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, said: “Our role at EIT Tairāwhiti is to support Māori learners in their chosen fields of study.”

“Our Kura Kaupapa graduates show commitment and drive to find select career choices that will help their community as well as advance their passions. Leslie demonstrated tenacity and resilience coming into a new non- Māori speaking environment , we wish Leslie all the best for her next journey.”