Sweet journey for EIT graduate turned business owner | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 hours ago

Courtney Booth has achieved success with her own business since graduating from EIT.

EIT graduate Courtney Booth has transformed her love for food into a flourishing business with Cuteneys Cakes

The 29-year-old always had a love for food, nurtured by baking alongside her mum in her hometown of Napier.

After finishing Year 12 at Tamatea High School, she followed her passion for cooking and enrolled at EIT to study the NZ Certificate in Cookery in 2013.

“I always knew that I wanted to be a chef, so when I left high school, I knew that I wanted to go to EIT,”

“But back when I studied, patisserie wasn’t really a thing. It was just like six months on the end of the cookery course and then it wasn’t until 2016 they created a course purely for patisserie. So, I ended up doing it in the second year that it ever ran.”

During her two-year cookery programme, she worked at Mint Restaurant on Marine Parade.

“I ended up working there for eight years as a chef. Started off as just a sous chef and then by the end of it, I was doing the head chef role.”

In 2017, Courtney returned to EIT, this time to study patisserie, and graduated as the top student.

While working full-time between two jobs, Courtney began making cakes for friends and family, slowly building a reputation on social media.

“I was doing that for about three years, and then it wasn’t until COVID-19 that I started to think maybe I should look at doing cakes full time. We had just bought our house after the second lockdown, and we converted my garage into a commercial kitchen.”

“I just jumped into the role full-time doing desserts on top of cakes and it just blew up. It was mostly word of mouth and through social media, and then I started on Uber Eats and Deliver Easy.”

Her “little kitchen at home got too small” and about a year ago, she opened a storefront on Dalton Street in Napier. It was at this point that she brought on full-time baker and long-time friend Dana MacDonald.

“Dana used to tutor at EIT and we have been on each other’s radars for many years. She was the one that actually judged my final patisserie dish at EIT. But I always fangirled over her because she worked at Elephant Hill and Malo and all these different fancy places as the pastry chef.”

“She’s just like another me. We’re the exact same. It’s great to have somebody with the same skill set and I can just leave her to it.”

Courtney admits every week is “just getting busier and busier”.

Reflecting on her EIT experience, Courtney praises the institution for equipping her with the skills and confidence to pursue her ambitions.

“EIT was really good for me, especially the patisserie course. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in food.”

Looking ahead, Courtney has even bigger plans for her business, potentially opening another location in Hastings or expanding her current operation with a dedicated prep kitchen.

EIT Professional Chef Tutor Mark Caves said: “We love it when our graduates progress their career into senior roles or to open their own businesses.”

“Courtney came to us at a young age with passion and a desire to learn the craft of cooking. It has been amazing to watch Courtney be able to stay in Hawke’s Bay, progress her career under talented local chefs and fulfil her dream like many others who have trained in our world class facilities, and under our experienced tutors.”

“It is also encouraging to know that anyone who progresses through our range of culinary programmes from introduction to food and beverage at level 3, advanced cookery at Level 4, and Level 5 advanced diploma in cookery or patisserie, can go out into the industry with the knowledge skills and confidence to fulfil their career ambitions, whether it is a food truck, head chef or your very own patisserie shop like Courtney!”

Chinese university staff visit EIT as part of training and mentoring programme | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

12 seconds ago

Staff from Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU) recently spent five weeks at EIT in Auckland and Hawke’s Bay as part of a training and mentoring agreement.

Staff from a Chinese university recently spent five weeks at EIT in Auckland and Hawke’s Bay as part of a training and mentoring agreement.

The visit stems from a partnership that EIT has with Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU). The Joint Education Programme partnership between EIT and ZYU began in 2020. That first year saw 230 students starting on the campus in Shaoxing 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, with two majors offered in Information Systems and Intelligent Systems.

ZYU staff visited EIT for the purposes of their training. During their time at EIT they developed an understanding of contemporary New Zealand teaching, learning and assessment methods, while spending time enhancing their English language proficiency.

Earlier this year an EIT delegation visited China where it held joint management, teaching and academic meetings to further the partnership and attended the very first graduation ceremony of EIT Data Science and Communication College of Zhejiang Yuexiu University students, who started in 2020.

A recent visit by Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU) staff to EIT stems from a partnership that EIT has with Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU). The Joint Education Programme partnership between EIT and ZYU began in 2020.

The delegation of senior EIT staff, were joined by the EIT Deputy Dean of the Data Science and Communication College who is a resident in China.

John West, EIT’s Executive Dean: Faculty of Commerce and Technology, says the visit was symbolic of the success of the partnership between EIT and ZYU.

“Visits like this build on the solid basis of the relationship and it was a pleasure to host our colleagues from China in this way and for them to experience our culture, campus life and academic practices.”

“We are pleased that our staff have the opportunity to teach in China and for us to welcome ZYU lecturers with the ultimate aim of providing quality education for all out students.”

Passion for academia and achieving educational reform for Māori learners important for new EIT Head of School | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

1 day ago

Zac Anderson is EIT’s new Head of School: Education and Social Sciences and the Centre for Veterinary Nursing.

A passion for academia and achieving educational reform for Māori learners are important for EIT’s new Head of School: Education and Social Sciences and the Centre for Veterinary Nursing.

Zac Anderson, who joins EIT from Tamatea High School where she was Deputy Principal, says that the opportunity to work at EIT was too good to pass up.

“I’ve been in New Zealand for twenty years from Australia, and I’ve always known EIT to have a fantastic reputation. I am feeling very fortunate to have been chosen and I think that it is going to be a great job.”

Zac’s role will see her leading a diverse team of social workers, early childhood and primary school professionals, and those teaching in the Centre for Veterinary Nursing.

“The kaupapa of the different departments within the school that I’m head of is all based on care for humans or animals, and teaching others to be the best they can be.”

Before Tamatea High School, Zac held various management positions at schools in Hawke’s Bay and was employed at the University of Waikato for four years. During her tenure at the University of Waikato, she was part of the Poutama Pounamu team led by Professor Mere Berryman, embedding transformative changes in culturally responsive pedagogies in kura throughout Aotearoa.

Zac says she sees her role as building her team, but also getting to know stakeholders in both Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti and getting to know what the community wants and needs from EIT’s graduates.

“It is about building the relationships with the stakeholders and the advisory groups in our different areas. I think this  is going to be really important for me, so I know what they need and then we can make sure that it’s reflected in our teaching and learning programmes.”

“I’m excited that I work across both Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, because I know Gisborne, in particular, and the surrounding East Coast area. I lived and worked with Wairoa-based communities for so long, and there’s unique needs on the East Coast compared to Hawke’s Bay.”

Zac has a Master’s in Education, where she looked at critical leadership to achieve educational reform for Māori learners, “which is my passion”.

“I’ve been learning Te Reo since I arrived in New Zealand, but I’m nowhere near where I want to be. And I love that learning journey about the tikanga and the kawa of what it means to immerse yourself into te ao Māori.”

“It’s deeply important to me as a non-Māori leader to be very clear about what role I play as Tangata Tiriti in honouring the bicultural intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. I am passionate about bringing practical effect to Te Tiriti in my daily practice. I will be enrolling soon in my PhD and no doubt this area of critical leadership to decolonise and indigenise our curriculum will be a focus of my research.”

Zac is mindful of the vital role research plays at an academic institute and she will be encouraging her staff on this front.

“Research really allows us to get the voice of our communities, our learners, our academics and our professionals, and really understand the nature of what we’re doing.”

“Research, to me, is all about making sure you’re at the cutting edge of practice , making sure that we’re taking into account what’s happening around the world, but for our own flavour here in Aotearoa.”

Originally from Australia, Zac has lived in Hawke’s Bay since 2004 with her wife, Kae Schlierike, and their three rescue dogs.

Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, said:  “We are thrilled to welcome Zac to our team. Her connections in to the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast community and inclusive approach to education are a perfect fit for our organization. We are excited to see the contributions she will make to the school and the wider institution. She has already made a positive impression with her energy and passion in her short time with us.”

EIT journey starts as student and continues through to senior staff role | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

Tash Hau was recently appointed as Assistant Head of Te Ūranga Waka.

Tash Hau’s journey at EIT began when she enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Te Reo Māori (Level 2) and 16 years later it is still going strong, with her recent appointment to Assistant Head of Te Ūranga Waka.

Since 2007, Tash (Ngātiwai) has gained much experience in the education sector, having recently returned to EIT after three years as Professional Learning and Development Facilitator with the University of Waikato. There she was responsible for supporting Kāhui Ako clusters, principals and teachers to deliver educational opportunities that accelerate success and support equitable outcomes for Māori students.

Prior to this, Tash worked at EIT as a Programme Coordinator/Tutor for more than 10 years. She is also a graduate of all the qualifications from all levels of the te reo certificate, Bachelor of Arts (Māori) and Bachelor of Arts Māori  (Honours)  as well as the Master of Professional Practice (shared with the School of Education and Social Sciences).

Tash, 44, who grew up in Wairoa, says that her interest in learning te reo was sparked when she was about 12 years old and attended a Kapa Haka wānanga at Rangiahua marae.

“Everyone had an opportunity to share with the group and as one of our elders spoke in te reo Māori, laughter filled the wharenui. I remember vividly wishing I was able to understand and it was at that moment I knew learning my native language was something I needed to do. I realise now, that was my tīpuna (ancestors) guiding me”.

“And although it took probably 25 years from where the journey actually started, during which time I had my children, that I realised what pathway I needed to take”

After finishing school at Wairoa College, Tash spent some time in Gisborne before she travelled to Australia for five years where she has family. Coming from a small town, she felt it was important to see “what else was out there”. It was there that Tash started her family.

Tash moved back to New Zealand with her two eldest children, Alayh and Ibanez which has been a rewarding decision.

“My two youngest daughters Kheyz and Jhrsey have both been part of the Te Ūranga Waka whānau, with Jhrsey accompanying me to classes during the certificate level from eight days old. I was really grateful that within te ao Māori our babies are able to be included and cherished. I believe that as māmā, we shouldn’t have to choose between parenting and education, we are most definitely capable of both”.

She says she felt a number of emotions when she started learning te reo.

“The journey of reclamation was a combination of feeling overwhelmed in the initial stages and a calm sense of being exactly where I needed to be, a healing journey I was unaware I needed.”

“I just fell in love with the place, the people and the kaupapa.”

She is also grateful for the support she had right through the levels of study.

“I have to acknowledge my peers and the tutors across the years who supported me to actually achieve all of this.”

The transition from student to part-time tutor of the certificate programme is something to this day she is grateful for as it presented a pathway to give back to the place that has given her so much.

“I am indebted to the belief that our special kui, Nan Materoa Haenga had in me to pursue this pathway”.

 “When we’re students, sometimes we can lack the belief in ourselves and our own abilities, but what I really appreciated was that as a kaiako, Nanny Materoa could see the potential in us and offered opportunities to nurture that.”

Being a Nan herself now to two beautiful mokopuna, Tash plans to continue sharing those teachings with them.

Since then it has been journey forward for Tash, with her efforts recently being rewarded with her appointment as Poutuara, Assistant Head of Te Ūranga Waka.

“EIT is home for me. I’m really invested in the people and the place. I’d like to thank my colleagues, friends, family and my partner Matenga for their ongoing support. It really does make all the difference.”

Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Ūranga Waka and Te Whatukura, welcomed Tash back to her “whare”.

“We are so happy that Tash is returning to us not only with the amazing skills she left us with, but also the new knowledge and expertise she has gained over the past three years.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

| EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

Aimey Tahu (third from left) with her nan Nanette (left), aunty Clare and Mother Helen.

A new degree offering at EIT has launched Aimey Tahu (Ngāpuhi) into her dream career after becoming the first to graduate earlier this year.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management) was first offered by EIT in February 2023, in partnership with Unitec. This program provides Hawke’s Bay locals the opportunity to gain and upskill their environmental knowledge and apply it to various projects across the region.

Aimey completed the degree in November. Upon graduating in April, she was presented with a special Senior Scholar Award for exceptional graduands from Unitec’s undergraduate degree programmes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 8.0 during their studies.

“I felt absolute gratitude upon receiving this award, knowing how much effort everyone had put into my education and helping me succeed – the little EIT fish, in the big Unitec pond. Lisa (my devoted program coordinator) supported the nerd in me from day one and had been advocating for me to receive this recognition in the background, from a much larger institution.”

It wasn’t the first award she had received during her studies, having been awarded the Ōtātara Trust Scholarship two years in a row.

“Throughout my studies I was often fascinated by what I was learning that I would spend days on tangents unravelling more layers to the topics than I needed to pass these papers. I started seeing my level of work as synonymous with my understanding of the content for each paper, and I thrived on this deeper level of learning. While I worked part-time for a few years during my study, I applied for scholarships so I could reduce my hours and spend more time learning about our natural world. In my final year I reduced my hours further so I could continue studying at a high level.”

Since April, the 28-year-old has been working as a Catchment Coordinator at Sustainable HB – Centre for Climate and Resilience.

“My role is focused on supporting and empowering catchment and community groups to create positive environmental impacts through education, water quality testing, monitoring and restoration plans to name a few.

“We have a strong focus on sustainability, which means we advocate for collaborative projects and citizen science projects – which reconnect people with nature, encourage kaitiakitanga, and gets the community actively contributing to the body of environmental data so we have a better picture of the state our nature is in, where information gaps are, and what we can do to enact positive changes.”

In the future, she plans to continue working in the environmental and restoration realm, “connecting people back to nature through sharing of knowledge, education, and hands on projects to recloak Papatūānuku”.

“I hope to focus on nature based solutions, primarily restoration of wetland ecosystems.”

EIT Bachelor of Applied Science graduate pictured doing tree surveying with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as part of her new role working as a Catchment Coordinator at Sustainable HB.

After finishing at Karamū High School, Aimey started studying at Massey University in Palmerston North before moving to Canada, unsure of what career she wanted.

“This was my second round of tertiary education as it took me a while to figure out what I was really passionate about and wanted to do for a career. I was often the youngest in my classes, with classmates ranging from 18 to 50. If you want to study, to change your current path, now is the right age.”

She “absolutely” recommends people study at EIT.

“The wonderful tutors and small class sizes at EIT (compared to class sizes at larger universities), meant that I was getting high quality classes, with tailored information that interested me, a lot of time to ask questions and receive great feedback which motivated and accelerated my learning. Our cohort being of a small size became a really tight group of friends, and we got to know our tutors really well and formed great relationships over the three years.”

She also appreciated the option of completing the degree in steps, following on from the level 5 and 6 Diplomas in Environmental Management.

“Although I intended on completing the degree from the beginning, having the option of taking a break if I needed it, and still having something to show for one or two years of work really appealed to me as an adult learner, as you never know what will happen in life.”

Primary Industries Programme Coordinator Lisa Turnbull says they are all really proud of Aimey and her accomplishments.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to see the way Aimey applied herself to her learning and her continued development throughout her studies.”

“Aimey’s lecturers describe her as a diligent and a meticulous learner that has worked hard and excelled  – a pleasure to teach.”  

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

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

17 seconds ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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