Category: graduate

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EIT | Te Pūkenga student excited about Italian experience after being selected for Bragato Exchange | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

EIT | Te Pūkenga Viticulture & Wine Science student Casey Mackintosh has been chosen as the Wine-Searcher Bragato Exchange Scholar.

After an exciting 2023, EIT | Te Pūkenga Viticulture & Wine Science student Casey Mackintosh is looking forward to a new experience as she heads off to Italy later in June on a Bragato Exchange.

Casey, 28, is in her final year of the Bachelor of Viticulture & Wine Science but is finishing the programme part-time while she works in the industry at Villa Maria Winery, which is now owned by Indevin.

The exchange, which has a new principal sponsor in Wine-Searcher, is now known as the Wine-Searcher Bragato Exchange Scholarship. Other sponsors are PGG Wrightson, Taradale Rotary Club and the Ōtātara Trust. It was established in recognition of the historical connection between Conegliano and New Zealand and is named after Romeo Bragato, who was influential in identifying potential wine growing regions here and studied in this area of Italy. It is commemorated with an academic partnership between EIT | Te Pūkenga and the University of Padua.

The exchange was started in 2003 and provides an opportunity for an Italian student to visit New Zealand in August, spend time at EIT | Te Pūkenga and visit the wine areas of NZ and an EIT | Te Pūkenga student to visit Padua and then travel around the wine areas of Italy hosted by alumni in the Italian summer.

The award comes after a big year in 2023, which saw Casey, who is originally from Northland, come second in the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year, following the competition held at Indevin’s Gimblett Gravels winery.

She says that she is excited about the year ahead.

“I feel incredibly lucky to receive the Wine-Searcher Bragato Exchange Scholarship. I am extremely grateful to EIT | Te Pūkenga and the generous sponsors for providing this incredible opportunity.”

“It doesn’t quite feel real yet and I suppose it won’t until I am there sipping prosecco, in the sun. I am looking forward to meeting new people and soaking up Italian culture.”

Renee Dale, Wine Specialist at sponsors wine-searcher.com, says: “It is wonderful to see that this exchange retains such high interest and to see such a high calibre of applicants.”

“It was a real challenge for the selection panel to choose between them. Although all candidates showed great potential, each bringing their own unique stories and outlooks, Casey in particular demonstrated a solid understanding of the exchange, its purpose and just what the experience would bring to her skillset as a future winemaker. I look forward to welcoming Casey into the Romeo Bragato alumni and following her journey, both in the exchange later this year, and in the years to come.”

Renee, who was the first female Bragato exchange recipient in 2006, is also heartened to see the significant number of female applicants this year.

Sue Blackmore, the Head of the EIT | Te Pūkenga School of Viticulture & Wine Science, said: “We are excited that this exchange will continue to provide EIT graduates with a unique life changing opportunity. The exchange enables the building of invaluable connections, as well as the opportunity to be hosted by the University of Padua and by ex-exchange scholars in different parts of Italy.”

“We are extremely thankful to our long-term sponsors and the new main sponsor, Wine searcher, who are ensuring the longevity of this valuable exchange that commemorates its founder, Kevyn Moore.”

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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.

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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.”

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EIT Te Pūkenga to showcase wide range of programmes on offer at information and enrolment day in Tairāwhiti | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

An information and enrolment day will be held at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus on Thursday (25 January 2024).

Prospective learners in Tairāwhiti will get an opportunity to view the wide selection of programmes offered by EIT | Te Pūkenga at it’s information and enrolment day on Thursday (25 January 2024).

The 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 on Thursday between 9am and 6pm at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus. An information day will be held at the Wairoa Learning Centre on 31 January between 10am and 2pm. An information day planned for the Ruatoria Learning Centre has been postponed and a new date will be announced in due course.

Waata Shepherd, campus manager at EIT | Te Pūkenga in Tairāwhiti, says the day is an opportunity for EIT | Te Pūkenga to show what it has on offer.

“We are very proud of our wide range of programmes and would encourage everyone to come and choose something that suits them.”

“We are quite unique in offering people a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

“This gives learners the opportunity to remain at home with whānau while pursuing top class qualifications like our Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts through Toihoukura.”

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

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.

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

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EIT | Te Pūkenga student living a lifelong dream by studying te reo and reconnecting with her whakapapa | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

7 mins ago

Amy Tuhoro has enjoyed studying the Bachelor of Arts (te reo Māori) at Te Whatukura at EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

Amy Tuhoro grew up disconnected from te reo Māori and Te Ao Māori, but is making amends now by exploring her culture and language through EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

Amy (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Tūhoe) grew up in Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty and spent many years as a caregiver before becoming a registered nurse. However a desire to learn te reo led her to enrol in a programme at the University of Waikato.

However, she felt the need to move to Te Tairāwhiti, an area where she has whakapapa to.

“We have connections to the area. That was the main reason for moving here, to get to know about Tairāwhiti and what the way of life is like here, and learning the history here.”

“It’s a different way of life here, and I wanted to learn about that.”

The move was made easier because she was able to cross-credit the courses she had done in Waikato and use it for her Bachelor of Arts (te reo Māori) at Te Whatukura at EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti.

“Our family grew up completely disconnected from te reo Māori and the Māori worldview. And I only started learning on and off night classes over the years, but I quit my job and sold my house in Hamilton and enrolled in full immersion last year.”

“It was a massive move and a lot of people thought I was crazy. I always felt like there was something missing and it has been a lifelong dream to be able to speak te reo, but I always found life happens. You can’t just do what I did, really, up and leave everything to pursue it, but the calling was that strong, I did.”

While Amy, 32, is keen to practice what she has learnt, she also wants to potentially use it in her former career in healthcare.

“While I am here, I’ve also been doing Māori medicine, and so to be able to combine both worlds would be ideal.”

Amy says the great thing about the Bachelor programme is the tutors.

“They’re not just teaching us about the language and the culture, they live and breathe it every single day. It’s not just a job to them, it’s who they are. And what more of a better example to learn from, really?”

“The other thing is that it is not just a programme. I’ve been to quite a few learning institutions in my time, but I’ve never felt the level of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, the sense of family that you get at Te Whatukura at EIT.”

This may not be the last that EIT | Te Pūkenga has seen of Amy as she is keen to do her Honours in the Bachelor of Arts.

“EIT has just been granted to do the Honors programme here in Gisborne, so I’m weighing up whether I do that or not.”

Angela Tibble, Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer at Te Whatukura, EIT | Te Pūkenga in Te Tairāwhiti, says: “Amy has bought humility, humour, wit, intelligence an open mind and heart to her studies this year.  We are pleased to extend the opportunity of another year of study here in the Tairāwhiti to explore further the opportunities of doing her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, Te Pikitanga ki Awarua.”

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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.”

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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.”

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EIT | Te Pūkenga information day showcases wide range of programmes in Tairāwhiti, Wairoa and Ruatoria | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

EIT | Te Pūkenga will be holding open days on the Tairāwhiti Campus and the Wairoa and Ruatoria Learning Centres on 11 October.

A wide selection of programmes offered by EIT | Te Pūkenga will be on display at information and enrolment days in Tairāwhiti, Wairoa and Ruatoria next month

The 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 on 11 October between 9am and 6pm at the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, while prospective students (ākonga) are welcome to go to the Wairoa and Ruatoria Learning Centres between 10am and 2pm on the same day.

Tracey Tangihaere, the Executive Director, Tairāwhiti at EIT | Te Pūkenga, says the information and enrolment day gives people of all ages the chance to view the full-time and part-time programmes on offer.

“We are very proud of our wide range of programmes and would encourage everyone to come and choose something that suits them.”

“We are quite unique in offering people a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.”

“They also have the chance to remain at home with whānau while pursuing top class qualifications like our Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts through Toihoukura.”

“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.

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

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EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay Campus opens for information and enrolment day | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

49 seconds ago

The EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay campus will be open for an information and enrolment day between 9am and 6pm on 12 October.

The EIT | Te Pūkenga Hawke’s Bay campus, which has been largely closed since Cyclone Gabrielle struck, will open for an information and enrolment day next month.

The 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 on 12 October 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

EIT | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Glen Harkness says it is an important achievement to have the Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale open for information day.

“A lot of hard work has been done to get our campus partially reopened and we are delighted to be able to welcome prospective students to come and see the wide range of programmes we offer.”

 “EIT | Te Pūkenga has shown over the years that we provide the people of Hawke’s Bay the opportunity to stay local but still achieve their tertiary education dreams.”

“We are quite unique in offering people 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.

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

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Best friends set to graduate after finding their calling at EIT | Te Pūkenga | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 mins ago

Monty Karena (left) and Savanna Wharehinga with their certificates at the urupa of their much-loved tutor Ron Dennis.

Two best friends who met while studying at EIT | Te Pūkenga finished how they started – together – when they graduated on Friday.

Two hundred and forty graduates received their qualifications at two graduation ceremonies held at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre in Hastings on Friday (18 August).

Consistently top two in the class since they enrolled in the NZ Certificate in Te Reo Māori [Level 2],  Savanna Wharehinga (Ngāti Porou) and Monty Karena (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngātiwai) will both graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Māori).

The pair, who had originally enrolled separately in the Certificate in Social Sciences in 2017 to become social workers, changed programmes when they were welcomed into Te Ūranga Waka, the School of Māori Studies in the first week.

“I think we were there for two days at Te Ūranga Waka, and then decided that that’s where we wanted to stay and keep studying,” Savanna says.

“We didn’t know it then, but we could feel something while we were there that was like ‘oh, this is where we’re supposed to be. And this is what we need to do’.”

Monty believes it was their calling. “We feel like te reo Māori found us”.

Savanna, now 39-years-old and a mother of three worked at McDonalds for 17 years. While 33-year-old Monty, a mother of four, had worked at various meat works since leaving high school and had just returned home from Australia after having twin boys, now seven-years-old.

“I just didn’t want to go back to the meat works. I swore to myself, ‘I’m never going back there’. So, I did whatever I needed to do,” Monty says.

The transition to study was the same for Savanna.

“I had had enough of working at McDonald’s, and I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life.”

Having the opportunity to study and forge a new path was something they both took in their stride.  

“When we first started studying, we didn’t know we were nerds, but we found out we actually are.” Monty says.

Throughout their time at EIT | Te Pūkenga, Savanna and Monty say they have felt supported by Kaimahi and peers, who are more like whānau. They credit a lot of this to Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Ūranga Waka and their late tutor Ron Dennis.

Ron’s passing last year affected them deeply.

“It really took a toll on us, our whole unit in Te Ūranga Waka. It was really devastating, and we didn’t think we were going to make it through,” Monty admits.

“He really embraced us and his whole whānau did also. He was like a dad to us and we were just really lucky to be a part of his circle.”

They say it was Ron who inspired them to keep going.

“We knew what he would say to us if we withdrew, because he always told us ‘don’t be dumb, don’t be a tou kūare!’. Don’t make dumb decisions when you’re in an emotional state’, That’s what pushed us through, we wanted to make him proud, so we could say to him, ‘we finished it’,” Savanna says.

“We had a little graduation at Te Ūranga Waka last year, at the end of the year, and we went out to see him at the urupā, and took our certificates and said, ‘Look, we finished. We finished the year’,” Monty says.

Savanna is now a tutor at Te Ūranga Waka, teaching the NZ Certificate in Te Reo me Ngā Tikanga [Level 4].

Monty was a Kaiwhakaako at Te Ūranga Waka up until last week when she began work at Kauwaka – an organisation established in 2020 as a vehicle to contribute to the language and cultural revitalisation efforts within Ngāti Kahungunu. 

“We are definitely grateful for the opportunities that we have been given because we didn’t ask for it. Like we said, it’s where we’re supposed to be. And we’re on the path that we’re supposed to be on because everything’s just taken care of itself,” Monty says.

Savanna says: “We’re on the path that out tīpuna (ancestors) dreamed for us”.

While they have now finished their degree, Savanna and Monty both agree it is not the end of their journey with te reo Māori.

“It’s made us realise that if we want to carry on with our reo journey, we are responsible for that ourselves. Learning te reo Māori is a never-ending journey, so I don’t think we’ll ever stop learning.”

Pareputiputi Nuku, Pouarataki, Te Ūranga Waka, says: “Monty and Savanna stand out with their beautiful singing voices and bubbly personalities and as strong, confident, and skilled wāhine/kaiwhakaako”.

“I believe without a doubt Ron would be absolutely stoked about their achievements as we all are. Poho kereru ana mātau katoa i a kōrua. Nō kōrua te ao!”