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EIT Tutors teach invaluable skills to remote islands of Tokelau | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 minutes ago

Two EIT tutors have spent six weeks in Tokelau, teaching essential plumbing and automotive maintenance skills to support the remote island community. 

The program, delivered by Stu Hannam and Chris Olsen last year, focused on equipping locals with the practical knowledge needed to maintain vital infrastructure and improve their quality of life.

Over the course of their stay, the tutors taught 45 students, repaired 60 outboard motors, 15 cars, 5 motorbikes, 5 chainsaws, generators, and a jackhammer. They also worked on plumbing repairs for community buildings, the local hospital, houses, schools, and a hotel. 

EIT Automotive Tutor Stu Hannam with students in Tokelau.

The journey to Tokelau was an adventure in itself. After flying from New Zealand to Samoa on August 31, the pair boarded Mataliki, Tokelau’s ferry, for a 46-hour voyage across rough seas.

They arrived at the atoll of Atafu on September 6, where they spent 16 days teaching, before moving to Nukunonu, the largest atoll, for another 18 days. 

For Hannam, an automotive tutor, the trip was about addressing a critical need. “The people didn’t really know how to fix things themselves,” he said.

“They fixed things only when they broke. I showed them how to service their outboards to make them safe at sea. It’s crucial because they rely on fishing for food and survival.” 

Olsen, a plumbing tutor, emphasised the importance of water management in the islands.

“Water is their lifeline. They don’t have natural groundwater, so everything is collected in tanks,” he explained. “We taught them how to fix leaks and install proper spouting to catch rainwater. A lot of the work involved tweaking their existing knowledge and showing them how to do things properly.” 

The impact of their training extended beyond individual skills. On Nukunonu, the Taupulea (Council of Elders) decided to establish a dedicated plumbing team from Olsen’s graduates.

“It was awesome to see the community so happy about the knowledge their people gained.” 

The tutors fully immersed themselves in Tokelauan culture, participating in activities such as church services, a dance competition, and cricket matches.

“The singing in church was amazing,” Olsen recalled. “And, yes, we got roped into dancing, which was a lot of fun.” 

For both tutors, the experience was profoundly rewarding.

“It really reinforced how we, as educators, can make a huge difference in remote communities,” Olsen said.

Hannam agreed, noting how appreciative the Tokelauan people were. “They’ve told me their motors are running better than ever, and they feel safer going out to fish.” 

Their time on Nukunonu concluded with a ceremony attended by the Ulu-o-Tokelau (Head of Government), Alapati Tavite, who praised the success of the program. 

While no official plans to return have been confirmed, both tutors hope this is just the beginning.

“There’s still a third atoll we didn’t get to because of time constraints,” Olsen said. “If given the chance, we’d love to continue this work.” 

Andrew McCrory, Assistant Head School of Trades and Technology, said teaching these valuable Plumbing and Automotive Skills was a huge success for EIT and the Tokelauan Communities. 

“Student engagement and embracing the community is important in these situations, and full credit must go to Chris and Stu for taking time away from their families to make this happen. They have both laid the groundwork for more tertiary education in Tokelau.”

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EIT Hawke’s Bay Info and Enrolment Day to showcase study opportunities | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

1 minute ago

With a new year comes new opportunities, and EIT Hawke’s Bay is inviting prospective students to explore their study options at the upcoming Info and Enrolment Day this week.

The event will take place on January 23, from 9am to 6pm at the EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale, with additional sessions at the Maraenui, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay (CHB) Learning Centres from 10am to 2pm.

EIT Hawke’s Bay will be holding an information and enrolment day on January 23, 2025.

EIT Executive Director of Operations, Glen Harkness, says the event is a great opportunity for those interested in further education to discover the diverse range of qualifications on offer.

“With the rebuild of our Taradale campus nearly complete, we’re excited to invite prospective students to visit and see first-hand the opportunities EIT has to offer,” Glen says.

“EIT allows people to gain qualifications locally while staying connected to whānau and community. Whether you’re looking to upskill, change careers, or explore new study options, our friendly team will be ready to help you find the right path.”

EIT offers a variety of study options, from certificates and diplomas to postgraduate qualifications, with flexible learning options including full-time, part-time, and online study to suit all lifestyles.

“Staff will also be available to assist with the enrolment process,” Glen adds.

For more information, visit the EIT | Te Pūkenga website at eit.ac.nz or call 0800 CALL EIT.

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EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates secure roles at partner school | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 minutes ago

EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).

EIT’s partnership with local schools continues to thrive, with two Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates the latest to secure jobs at Havelock North Primary School.

Becca Williams and Isaac Winterson finished the programme, renowned for its practical, community-focused approach, at the end of the semester, having completed placements at Havelock North Primary during their three years.

Isaac is excited to begin his career teaching Year 4 students. Reflecting on his time at EIT, he credited the programme’s practical focus for preparing him for the realities of teaching. 

“The practical experience was invaluable. Being in classrooms, working alongside incredible teachers, and applying what I learnt built my confidence over the three years,” Isaac said. “I’m stoked to start this new chapter.” 

Isaac also expressed gratitude for the supportive environment at EIT, where lecturers provided personalised guidance. 

For Becca, joining the staff at Havelock North Primary is a homecoming. A former student at the school, she completed her final practicum in a Year 3 classroom, spending two days a week on-site throughout her final year.

“It feels so special to return to the school I attended as a child,” Becca shared. “The connections I’ve made with staff and students during my practicum gave me insight into the school’s culture and prepared me for this opportunity. It’s like a year-long job interview.” 

Becca credits EIT’s focus on real-world experience and the close relationships with lecturers for her success.

“The support was incredible. Unlike larger universities, where you might not even know your lecturer’s name, at EIT, you can contact them anytime,” she said. 

Principal Nick Reed and Deputy Principal Greg Bain have long been advocates of EIT’s Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), commending its hands-on approach and the positive impact it has on teacher preparedness.

The partnership, which dates back to the programme’s inception more than a decade ago, sees candidate teachers spend 40 per cent of their training in classrooms around the region, giving schools a unique opportunity to mentor and assess future educators.

They congratulated Becca and Isaac, and said they ticked a lot of boxes.

“We’re lucky to have them because there were a number of other schools who were keen to sign them up as well. So, we were fortunate to get in nice and early with the interview process and secure their services,” Nick said.

EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) graduates Isaac Winterson (second left) and Becca Williams with Havelock North Primary School Principal Nick Reed (right) and Deputy Principal Greg Bain (left).

Greg said both Becca and Isaac were “really successful in being able to build relationships with the staff and kids”.

“We want people who are going to go the extra mile for the kids,” Nick added.

Greg described the partnership with EIT as mutually beneficial, allowing the school to evaluate top talent throughout the year.

“We get a really good look at the candidates coming through, which is really positive. I tell every candidate teacher that this is basically your interview for the whole year you’re here, so make the most of it,” he said.

Nick added: “They’re well prepared and providing that they’ve had positive postings, which in most cases they have, they’re ready to make a difference from the get-go.”

Kirsty Jones, EIT Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) Programme Co-ordinator, says: “It is always so rewarding to see graduates winning jobs in the partner schools where they practiced the craft of teaching, it is a fabulous endorsement of the quality of EIT’s BTP programme.”

“This year the graduates were snapped up by local schools with most securing positions before they had even finished their final course work. They will all start teaching in 2025.”

“Many of our past graduates have been appointed as senior leaders and mentor teachers for these beginning teachers too. I feel so proud of them and seeing them grow over the years and become leaders in the profession is heart-warming.”

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EIT’s foundation skills, and sport courses pave new pathways for rangatahi | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

3 minutes ago

Students taking part in EIT’s Level 3 Sport, Recreation and Exercise at the Maraenui Learning Centre have had a successful year.

EIT’s Foundation Skills and Sport, Recreation and Exercise courses are creating meaningful opportunities for rangatahi in Hawke’s Bay, helping them reconnect with education and discover their potential.

The courses—Level 2 Foundation Skills (Exercise and Wellbeing), Level 3 Sport, Recreation and Exercise, and Level 4 Exercise—operate out of EIT’s Maraenui Learning Centre and have become a hub of growth and transformation.

Delivered in partnership with EIT graduate and lecturer Levi Armstrong’s Meki Foundation, the programmes focus on holistic education, blending physical activity, personal development, and strong pastoral care to ensure students thrive.

“These are students who left school early and thought education wasn’t for them,” said Sport and Exercise Lecturer Coven Ratima (Ngāti Kahungunu), an EIT graduate who now tutors the same course he once completed. “But once they step into this space, they see what’s possible. It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s designed to build their confidence and skills.”

Hope Truman, 17, is one of those students. After leaving school at 16, she was hesitant to join the programme, even with encouragement from her mum. “At first, I didn’t want to do it. I told her, ‘I’m not going,’ but then she said she’d come with me because I didn’t want to go by myself,” Hope shared. Her mum joined her on the first day, sitting alongside her in the classroom.

That initial support was all Hope needed to embrace the programme. “After the first day, I wanted to keep coming because everyone was just so welcoming,” she said. “Even though it was their first time meeting me, they were like, ‘you’re our daughter now,’ so I thought, okay, I’m coming.”

Now thriving in the Level 3 course, Hope plans to continue her studies in 2025. She’s not alone—100 per cent of this year’s Level 3 students in Maraenui have enrolled in Level 4 for next year.

Students take part in diverse activities, from planning events to designing fitness programmes, all while developing critical skills like teamwork, time management, and leadership. Highlights of 2024 included the “Longest Day” fitness challenge and a decathlon sports day in November, which brought students from across the region together to celebrate their achievements.

This year, the courses also expanded into Gisborne for the first time, marking a significant milestone. Record numbers of students are now preparing to continue their studies in 2025, building on their successes at Level 2 and Level 3 to progress into higher qualifications.

Next year, the level 2 and 3 courses will be offered in Maraenui, Tairāwhiti, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa.

Levi (Ngāti Kahungunu) said having the courses in the community breaks down barriers.

“In places like Maraenui, we’re creating safe, supportive spaces where whānau feel welcome and students can focus on their education.”

He also highlighted the importance of addressing challenges outside the classroom. “We’re removing barriers like transport and food insecurity so students can concentrate on their learning. It’s about creating a space where education feels possible and exciting.”

Coven echoed the sentiment, saying, “The growth has been phenomenal. It’s not just about education; it’s about giving them the tools to build better lives for themselves and their whānau. Seeing them succeed is the ultimate reward.”

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Final 2024 EIT public lecture explores business and climate change | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 minutes ago

Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula presented the final public lecture in a series organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).

EIT’s final public lecture of the year concluded with a thought-provoking session by Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula who shared her journey exploring the intricate relationship between climate change and business.

The lecture, titled Turning Up the Heat: Businesses and Climate Change, was the final in the series: ‘Reconnecting Through Research’, at MTG Hawke’s Bay recently, organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).

Central to her presentation was the critical question: Are businesses exacerbating the climate crisis, or are they helping to solve it by taking ambitious action?

This question set the stage for a discussion on the dual role businesses play in either contributing to or mitigating climate change.

She examined both the global and local trends shaping this issue, highlighting how some industries and organisations are stepping up to address environmental concerns, while others are still lagging behind.

A key focus of the lecture was the analysis of climate disclosures, science-based decarbonisation targets, and the barriers businesses face in taking action.

Pii-Tuulia discussed the rising importance of climate-related financial disclosures and the need for businesses to adopt measurable climate targets. The lecture also addressed the challenges businesses face, including the financial risks of climate change and the complexity of integrating sustainability into their existing business models.

“Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a business issue,” she said. “To ensure long-term sustainability, companies need to rethink their business models to make sure that they are future-proofed”.

She explored the difference between symbolic and substantive engagement. While some businesses make claims about their commitment to sustainability, Pii-Tuulia pointed out that these symbolic commitments need to be followed by tangible actions that reduce organisational carbon footprints.

She discussed the critical role of businesses in shaping broader climate action, not just within their own operations, but also in their supply chains and external collaborations.

She also stressed that business leaders and policymakers must collaborate closely to create effective solutions and policies that drive real, systemic change.

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Experienced nurse who rose through the ranks is appointed EIT’s Head of Nursing | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 minutes ago

Kat Williams has been appointed Head of the School of Nursing at EIT.

An experienced nurse who has risen through the academic ranks at EIT, has been appointed Head of the School of Nursing.

Katherine (Kat) Williams, who was until her new appointment, programme co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing, began working at EIT in 2017,

“I started off as a casual practicum lecturer, so I was supporting students out on clinical, and then from there I just got more and more involved. I worked my way up to a full-time position and spent most of my time in the first year team.”

After returning from maternity leave for the birth of her first son, Kiwa, Kat took on the role of programme co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing. She was in the role for 14 months before she went on maternity leave for her second son, Te Ariki. She returned in April to assist with Nursing Accreditation- and fulfilled the role of Acting Assistant Head of School until the end of October this year.

Kat says that having the support of her partner,  whānau , friends and colleagues has made fulfilling her roles at EIT possible.

“Although this position is for me, it’s for my whānau too- they are the ones that keep me grounded, motivated, and undoubtably support me.”

It has been a journey for Kat to get to this position, with COVID-19, Cyclone Gabrielle, changes to EIT and Te Pūkenga, as well as changes in the leadership of the School of Nursing all having to be navigated.

One thing is for certain, Kat brings a vast array of experience in all facets of nursing overseas and in New Zealand. Born in Rotorua and schooled in Tokoroa, Kat studied for her nursing degree at Massey University and her Master’s degree at the University of Auckland.

She started off the new graduate programme at Tauranga Hospital, working in Kaupapa Māori and a surgical ward. After 18 months there she decided to apply for a role at Camp America and ended up  being the summer camp nurse, before jumping in a campervan with friends to see the United States.

After another stint in a surgical ward at a hospital in Darwin, Australia, Kat tried her luck in Saudia Arabia. While she enjoyed her time there, she then followed her yearnings to return to Alice Springs, Australia  . She soon became a nurse educator filling in as maternity cover, which ended up being a two-and-a-half year stint.

Kat’s final adventure took a different direction – working in the emergency department in Tennant Creek. Although it was exciting and there was lots of learning, she then had a desire to return home to Aotearoa.

She then worked for TriEX in Auckland and WOHC in Hamilton. Her endeavour at that stage was to continue nursing within an Occupational Health and safety space- however, her now husband lived in  Hawke’s Bay so this changed the plan somewhat.

“This led to my interest in working at EIT within nursing education- and I’ve been here ever since.”

Now that she is Head of School, Kat is focussing on building her leadership team, as well as the wider academic team in the School. She is also focussed on strengthening the relationships  with key stakeholders and gaining an understanding of their needs and the reality of the current workforce demands.

Kat also believes that research is an important part of the School of Nursing and says that in consultation with EIT’s Research team and the Faculty Dean exciting opportunities for this space to grow and develop are on the cards “however, not overnight.”

Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, says: “We’re thrilled to have Kat step up into the Head of School, Nursing role. With her extensive experience in nursing in Aotearoa and worldwide, and her proven track record of educational delivery, we’re confident that she will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to our Faculty.”

“It is fantastic to be able to promote from within the organisation, and Kat has consistently demonstrated her commitment to EIT’s values. Kat’s energy is infectious, and we’re excited to see how she’ll inspire and motivate the nursing team.”

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EIT Associate Professor appointed co-chair of academic advisory board of award-winning climate action non-profit | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

16 minutes ago

Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia NIkula

Pii-Tuulia Nikula, an Associate Professor in EIT’s School of Business, has been appointed Co-chair of  the Academic Advisory Board of the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE).

CANIE is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need for the sector to step up and act on climate. CANIE serves as a platform to bring the sector together to act as a catalyst for action.

CANIE has recently won a number of awards, including the 2024 Catalyst Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), 2024 Membership organisation of the year and 2024 Sustainability international impact award by PIEoneer, and the 2022 President’s Award by European Association for International Education (EAIE).

CANIE announced the academic advisory board appointments in its latest newsletter, saying: “Their expertise and commitment to sustainability in international education will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission.” Associate Professor Nikula will be co-chair of CANIE’s Academic Advisory Board along with Dr Anne Campbell who is based in the United States

The Academic Advisory Board provides advice on climate change and international education related matters or, when appropriate, responds to requests from the CANIE Global Board in relation to wider issues raised by stakeholders.

Associate Professor Nikula says that she is honoured by the appointment as CANIE plays an important advisory role on sustainability and climate change in international education.

“I am committed to the work CANIE does in the sustainability field in international education. I am looking forward to working with Anne Campbell and our interdisciplinary academic advisory board with expertise in international education, climate science, energy systems/aviation decarbonisation, climate justice, and business/management.”

Associate Professor Nikula is an internationally recognised researcher and innovative educator with extensive industry, teaching and research experience in the fields of management, policy, sustainability and higher education. She teaches courses in sustainable organisations, global strategies and research methods and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate level students. She also has extensive experience in course and curriculum design and programme and course coordination roles

Pii-Tuulia’s work has been published in leading international journals and she has co-edited two books: Sustainable Education Abroad: Striving for Change and Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges and Best Practices.

EIT Head of the School of Business, Dr Gareth Allison, said: “Associate Professor Nikula’s appointment as Co-chair of CANIE’s Academic Advisory Board is a testament to her exceptional expertise and commitment to sustainability. Her appointment showcases the alignment at EIT between high quality research and real-world impact. We are proud to see her play a pivotal role in this important global initiative.”

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EIT Tairāwhiti ECE students learn about bi-culturalism and legends of region | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 minutes ago

NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) students at EIT Tairāwhiti went on a haeranga (journey) of the region this semester to learn about bi-culturalism and local pūrākau (legends). From Left to Right are Mary Louis Gerald; Lavinia Paongo; Pat Dewes, Kaiwhakaako – Te Whatukura; Tania McQuillan, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) programme; Samara Wharehinga-Walters; and Saina McClutchie.

Early Childhood Education students at EIT Tairāwhiti went on a haeranga (journey) of the region this semester to learn about bi-culturalism and local pūrākau (legends).

The NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) students visited sites that they had been learning about over the semester. The areas visited were Te Wherowhero Lagoon, said to be the final resting place of the Horouta waka; Manawaru – Hinehākirirangi’s kumara garden; Popoia – Ruapani’s pā; Makauri – the story of Ruakapanga’s prized birds; and Māia Poroaki – the story of Te Toka a Taiau.

Tania McQuillan, EIT’s Coordinator of the Diploma programme, says the trip was an important part of the curriculum. Accompanying her and the students on the trip was Pat Dewes, Kaiwhakaako – Te Whatukura, EIT.

“One of the papers is called Te Puna, which has been looking at the biculturalism within early childhood. I’ve been focusing on the local pūrākau and connecting that. I’m looking at how they can put the local stories and the legends into the early childhood centre.”

“We also invited the Level Four students from the Study and Career Preparation programme, so that they can be introduced to the local pūrākau, and find out how that could be significant in  the degree they undertake next year.”

Tania says that making students culturally aware of the history of the region is important because it is “all about belonging”.

“The biggest part of early childhood is being connected and knowing where you come from. The expectation is that the students will, as they go on into their careers, use this as part of their practice and part of their teaching.”

“It’s about the kete (knowledge) that they’ll use in their teaching practice, along with knowing some te reo, understanding karakia, as well as knowing their own mihi and pepeha.”

Tania says that the feedback from students to the trip was positive.

“They loved it and one student said that she had not realised the significance of all the places that we visited.”

“We are currently doing enrolments for next year and I would encourage anyone who is interested in working in early childhood care to get in touch and learn what we have to offer.”

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Groundbreaking EIT teenage vaping research set to give insight into scope and triggers of problem in Hawke’s Bay | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

13 minutes ago

The EIT Youth Vaping Research team is (from left to right): Associate Professor Rachel Forrest; EIT lecturer Jocelyn Lañas-Pangan; EIT Masters of Health Science student Melody Khan; Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing; Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart; EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science; and Dr Sue Scott-Chapman.

Groundbreaking research into teenage vaping in Hawke’s Bay is currently being collated and is set to give an insight into the scope of the problem and what triggers youth wanting to vape.

Dr Sue Scott-Chapman, a Principal Academic Staff Member in the School of Health and Sport Science, is part of a team examining the epidemic of youth vaping in Aotearoa led by Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing from EIT. The other members working on this programme of research include Assoc. Prof. Rachel Forrest, Dr Helen Ryan Stewart, Jocelyn Lañas – Pangan and Melody Khan

The project is being funded by EIT (Research Innovation Centre), the Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay and the Health Research Council.

Sue says that the team has surveyed more than 2000 students – both vapers and non-vapers –  in Hawke’s Bay about the impact it has had on them.

With the Hawke’s Bay interviews done, the analysis of the information received is now underway.

“We are in that process of now looking at the data that’s been provided. The students have been really eager to support both phase one and phase two and now we’ve got really good data that we’re about to analyse.”

“We’re doing it in two different ways – the quantitative and the qualitative side of it.”

Sue believes that the study will give  “a lot more insight” into what triggers youth wanting to vape.

“It will also give an insight into their understanding of the extent of vaping and the consequences of vaping.”

With the help of a second grant from the Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay, the team has extended its research outside Hawke’s Bay to focus on Pāpāmoa College. This research will contribute to the Masters of Health Science project by student Melody Khan, who has been involved in the original study.

 “There may be a lot of similarities, across the two regions, but to me it’s differences and the experiences of different schools because of the different regions and the different kind of emphasis. I think it’s going to be really interesting.”

“I would think the differences may be the quantity and the availability of vaping products in larger regions, I would suspect that it is easier to attain in larger areas.”

“I would love to see how different schools are affected by vaping. When it’s a large school, the feeling is it’s a lot more difficult to manage just because of the numbers of individuals that you are looking at, but smaller schools give you that opportunity to know the students up front and provide more support.”

Sue says that schools are handling the problem differently and she is confident that the analysis of their research will help them deal with the problem.

“They are trying to manage it in slightly different ways and hopefully with the outcome once we have analysed it, there will be potentially a good opportunity for schools to be able to discuss it at  another level and to look at what structures can go in place.”

“I think part of the tools that we are looking at is how do we support schools manage this in an easier way, a better way, a more streamlined way for all of them because they are all just trying to manage it the best they can with the information they have got.”

Sue says that phase two of their data collection has finished and they hope to have the data analysis of at least phase one finished by February next year.

“There’s a lot of work still ahead of us in terms of particularly the qualitative aspect of it, looking at those patterns and those themes that are coming through and making sense of it.”

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EIT industry-focused forum gives students opportunity to engage with industry representatives | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 mins ago

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman with Nick Larsen of Tataki Auckland Unlimited.

EIT Auckland students and recent graduates have had the opportunity to engage with industry representatives at the Mahi Heke Mai – Working Futures industry-focused forum.

Held on EIT’s Auckland Campus earlier this month, the inaugural Mahi Heke Mai – Working Futures industry-focused forum saw recent graduates and current students meet industry representatives from the IT, supply chain, health and wellbeing and recruitment sectors.

The organiser of the event, Brendon Hickey, said that the occasion provided “an informative and interactive experience for the next generation of Auckland’s workforce talent to share the room with and gain invaluable insights from the experts”.

Brendon, who is the Industry Partnerships Manager at EIT’s Auckland Campus, said that the aim of the event was to provide “a platform and an opportunity for our most recent graduates in the first instance, as well as current students”.

“The opportunity was to enable them to have the curtain pulled back on their spheres of interest, their professional domain, their relevant industry sectors, just to hear directly from people in those areas, so that they could have that credible, authentic exchange with them.”

A high-calibre roster of distinguished presenters and panelists included Nick Larsen, Tech Workforce Lead at Tataki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), the region’s economic development agency. Nick’s presentation contextualised the role skilled migrants and international students play in the local tech, digital commerce and innovation ecosystem, linking their contribution to TAU’s strategic, inclusive workforce development goals.

Garry Green, Founder and Managing Director of Quanton, an Auckland-based AI and automation business transformation enterprise, detailed how his company attracts, nurtures and retains the talent that makes up Quanton’s diverse workforce.

In a similar vein, Dan Kabuuka, Programme Director at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, gave attendees first-hand insights into workplace environments and cultures. Personal journeys toward fulfilling professional positions of responsibility, involving responding positively to multiple and complex challenges, were shared by Harini Nanayakkara, Group Compliance Manager at Xplor and high-profile technologist and leadership specialist Gareth Cronin.

Critical and up to date labour market and recruitment expertise was provided by Simon Meehan of Absolute IT and Wayne Fry of Hunter Campbell.

Both experts were able to elaborate on current trends and developments, employer requirements and expectations, and connect these to ongoing and forecast economic cycles, with Wayne generously commenting: “I enjoyed the experience and was impressed with the rest of the panel, the interaction with the students and a well-planned and run event. I’d be delighted to be involved or support future events that you might have.”

Brendon says that he was happy at how successful the event was.

“It was pleasing to see industry guests and attendees mingling enthusiastically long after the scheduled ending of the session. Feedback from all participants was extremely positive, positioning us well to repeat the event in 2025.

A recent EIT IT graduate Rahul Mathew said: “As an attendee, I found the talks truly thought-provoking and insightful. I appreciate the opportunity to engage with industry experts and hope this initiative continues to support future talents in New Zealand’s job market.”