School students put through challenging but rewarding test of fitness and skills in EIT competition | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

An EIT fitness competition has seen students from across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti put through their paces in Mahia recently.

Students from across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti were put through their paces recently in an EIT competition that tested their skills, fitness and resilience.

The competition, organised by EIT’s School of Trades and Technology, took place in Mahia last week and saw teams from East Coast and Wairoa College Services Academies and the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Trades Academy participate.

The teams completed a 20km circuit throughout the night carrying logs, steel bars and military packs, and throughout the circuit they stopped and completed tasks such as putting up a 11 x 11 Army tent, a stretcher carry up Mokotahi hill and rope climb out of the river onto a bridge.

Tairāwhiti Trades Academy was the first team home in 5hrs 14 mins, with all teams back to camp by 2am.

EIT Trades and Technology Head of School, Todd Rogers, who completed the challenge himself, said that feedback had been positive and EIT would like to make it an annual event.

“Absolutely awesome effort from all teams involved, a challenging yet rewarding introduction to life in the New Zealand Defence Force.”

“I’d like to make special mention to the team from Wairoa College Services Academy who were mostly year 10 students with one year 12 and performed to a high standard coming in third place. It would be great to see as many students as possible transition into EIT’s Services Pathway programme or straight into the NZDF.”

Todd thanked Defence Careers and East Coast Company of 5/7 Infantry regiment for their support.

The Trades Academy, at EIT’s Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay campuses, works with secondary schools to provide year-long trades programmes to help students achieve NCEA Level 2 or 3 and prepare for higher-level study. The Trades Academy offers programmes that include automotive, trade skills, hair and beauty, hospitality, agriculture, and health and fitness. Students attend Trades Academy each week, gaining  vocational skills and getting hands on experience.

EIT student holds first exhibition after winning prestigious scholarship | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

1 min ago

EIT IDEAschool student Olivia Wilson pictured with part of her first exhibition Chipper at the Hastings Community Arts Centre. Photo/ Heather Wilson.

Bachelor of Creative Practice student Olivia Wilson is celebrating her first solo exhibition, after winning the prestigious David Fine Scholarship.

The 25-year-old student, who is in her final year of the three-year degree, has been able to bring her creative vision to life at the Hastings Community Arts Centre thanks to the scholarship.

“Winning the David Fine Scholarship was a surprise, but a very exciting one. It’s an honour, and I really wanted to do David Fine and his family justice.”

Olivia’s exhibition, Chipper, draws inspiration from Cyclone Gabrielle and was initially her Level 7 project which required students to solve a problem.

“Cyclone Gabrielle was and still is a huge issue for Hawke’s Bay and I thought that through the opportunity of the David Fine Scholarship, I could do my piece for the Hawke’s Bay Community. A lot of us, following the weather event, suffered from mental stress. I could only relate this to my own experience, and I wanted to help others feel better.”

The Chipper exhibition includes Olivia’s 2D and 3D design work, along with photography and prints from fellow EIT student and fine artist Oriane De Lacey.

A key part of her exhibition is a kinetic windmill design, which Olivia says is a nostalgic reminder of childhood and a grounding symbolism.

“My intention behind Chipper is to simply make you feel good. I want to help you open doorways in your search for a happy life. We all know what it can feel like being stuck in the humdrum of daily life. I wanted to introduce colour to a hard hit Hawke’s Bay community – not just in its literal sense. I also somehow wanted the installation to convey a more positive association with weather.”

“The reaction has been great,” Olivia says. “I’ve loved seeing people’s smiley faces, especially my grandparents, alongside the installation.”

She thanked her team and family, along with her sponsors Resene, Carters, Richard Kepka Builders and Heather Wilson Artist.

Olivia’s passion for design started in high school, where she earned a scholarship in her final year at Napier Girls’ High School.

“My happy place from the get-go has been design. I love concepting and developing ideas and watching them come to fruition. I’ve always known that my passion lies in being creative, and I’m super stoked to almost have a degree and be in my final year.”

Olivia credits her time at EIT as transformative.

“When I left high school, I became quite unwell. I spent several years recovering and learning to manage my illness. I was encouraged by my therapist and my family to enrol at EIT. This decision has been a catalyst for some of the most positive changes in my life to date.

“EIT has been some of the best years of my life – my tutors have really encouraged me, and I feel a very strong sense of community at EIT IDEAschool. I have also made some golden friends.

“I find it really hard to believe sometimes how far I’ve come in relation to where I was. I am now incredibly well, and I think that’s because I have purpose. I owe those who encouraged me along the way, a massive thank you.”

While her two-week exhibition finished on Friday (September 13) the installation has been reinstalled in The Atrium at EIT.

IDEAschool Design Programme Coordinator and Senior Lecturer Anthony Chiappin said: “Livvy and her cohort of third year Bachelor of Creative Practice students have worked together to realise this exhibition”.

“For us it not only showcases the incredible talent we foster within the programme, but the huge amount of support by which the design lecturers who teach the students give, selflessly beyond the call of duty. Lecturers Beck Wheeler, Roger Kelly and Mazin Bahho supported by the rest of the crew, namely Diane Wilkie and Estelle Booth, have been pivotal in seeing this vision through.

“The best part about the education paradigm at IDEAschool is the one on one attention paid to each student, where they get much more real world experience from lecturers who practice in the real world. Overall Chipper can only benefit the entire community, and by default shine some light on the horrific 2023 we all experienced.”

After years of personal and employment challenges, student finds fulfilment in EIT hairdressing programme | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 mins ago

Vanessa Hopping is doing the NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3) at EIT.

An EIT student, who faced years of personal challenges and job uncertainty, has finally found fulfilment doing the NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3).

Vanessa Hopping, 31, attended Ōtūmoetai College in Tauranga, but left early, finding that school was not for her.

“I did my first year of hairdressing when I was 18, but I ended up leaving and moving to Australia, just due to personal circumstances. I was going through a really hard time with family and on a whim, honestly, just moved over there, because my brother lived there.”

She worked in a number of different jobs including at a supermarket, as a nightclub DJ and on a tomato farm, but did not really feel they were for her. While she was in Australia, Vanessa fell pregnant, but as she was not in a good relationship, she decided to move back to New Zealand.

She lived with her grandparents in Hamilton where she gave birth to her daughter Ruby. After that she decided to study travel and tourism, but although she completed the programme, she did not feel that it was the career for her.

After that she spend a number of years moving around and trying to get jobs in salons, but never really settled down.

“I was trying to get an apprenticeship, but just no one would take me on, because it had been too many years since I’d done hairdressing.”

Vanessa says that she went through a period of time where she focused on her daughter and “basically did enough to survive”.

A personal tragedy when an aunt died and the traumatic birth of her son Phoenix, in which she almost died, made Vanessa finally reassess her life.

Vanessa says that she feels like she has always had “to battle something”, but that this has made her resilient.

“I’ve been through quite a journey.”

A job as a security manager at Farmers in Hastings gave her some satisfaction, but eventually she left that role as she was not spending enough time with her children.

“I was burnt out and needed some time for myself.  I knew I wanted to do something with my career.”

She decided to email EIT to find out about availability on the hairdressing programme and how she could use her earlier qualifications.

“I said: ‘ Hey, this is my situation. I’ve done this hairdressing course before, but is there any refresher course or anything like that?’ I just emailed at the right time in my life, because that’s when they said that the hairdressing programme had changed.”

Vanessa got a student loan ad enrolled the NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)in February.

“It all happened really fast and it all just fell into place for me ever since then. It’s just like my miracle.”

She has no regrets about the career she has chosen.

“I absolutely love it. I love it so much. I feel very passionate about it. I always loved hairdressing and used to practise braiding hair on my dolls.”

“Even when I was as young as 13, I used to colour my hair and my friends hair as well. It’s just something that’s really just stuck with me my whole life.”

“And I knew that I wanted to come back to it. I just never thought I was going to be able to.”

She is finding the EIT programme very rewarding.

“My favourite thing is colouring hair and making clients feel happy, even just helping them relax.”

“I’ve always wanted to be in an industry where I help people. And this is where it’s something that I can do that I love that also helps people.”

“It’s a rewarding thing to do. And I think it’s reflecting in my results.”

As for the future, Vanessa currently has a part-time job at Vivo in Havelock North and is hoping to get an apprenticeship next year.

“I just want people to know that whether you’re 18, 30 or even 50, 60, you can do whatever you want. You just have to keep trying, even if it doesn’t work out in the moment.”

Courtney Cook, EIT’s Hairdressing Programme Coordinator and Lecturer, says: “Vanessa is a driven learner who has continued to apply 100% focus while in the NZ Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)course.”

“We admire her determination and resilience in the fact that she has two children and works outside of class yet when she arrives for the day she is focused and provides professional services that her clients continue to return for.”

“She inspires her peers in the programme and has been a constant support for everyone.  Vanessa is an inspiration for those who have a dream and never stop until they reach their full potential. We have seen Vanessas confidence blossom in both herself and her skill set this year and it has been so amazing to watch. We wish Vanessa all the best and cannot wait to see her achieve big things within the industry.”

EIT Tairāwhiti inviting prospective students to learn what’s on offer at information day | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

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EIT will be holding an information and enrolment day between 9am and 6pm on 16 October at the EIT Tairāwhiti Campus.

EIT Tairāwhiti is inviting prospective students (ākonga) to attend an information and enrolment day next month to see what career opportunities await.

The event will be held between 9am and 6pm on 16 October at the EIT Tairāwhiti Campus. Events will also be held on the same day between 10am and 2pm at the Wairoa and Ruatoria Learning Centres.

EIT Tairāwhiti Executive Director, Tracey Tangihaere, says that EIT is unique in offering people a full range of qualifications from certificates to postgraduate level, with full-time, part-time and online study options available.

“We are part of our community and we offer people of all ages the opportunity to stay close to whānau but still achieve their tertiary education dreams.”

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

Tracey says that EIT has been serving the Tairāwhiti community and local businesses for many years and is proud to have produced many graduates who are now part of a variety of industries in the region.

Check out EIT Tairāwhiti on Facebook and Instagram for more information or phone 0800 CALL EIT.

School students to be tested at EIT fitness and skills competition in Mahia | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

10 mins ago

Students from Wairoa College and Ngata College Services Academies and the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Trades Academy Services programme will test their skills, fitness and resilience in a competition based in Mahia this week.

Students from Wairoa College and Ngata College Services Academies and the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti Trades Academy Services programme will test their skills, fitness and resilience in a competition based in Mahia this week.

The competition, organised by EIT’s School of Trades and Technology will take place tomorrow and Thursday (18-19 September).

EIT Trades and Technology Head of School, Todd Rogers, says the competition is an opportunity to test the skills the students have been taught in the programme throughout the year.

The competition consists of groups from each academy tackling a 15km course carrying Army packs, logs, steel bars and completing tasks along the way such as a carrying an “injured” person up Mokotahi hill and pushing a vehicle 1km with all their equipment.

Students must navigate to each point throughout the night, with the competition beginning at 5pm and finishing no later than 3am.

“This is the first time an event of this nature combining all academies has been facilitated in our region hopefully we can make it an annual event,” says Todd.

“Not only will these activities test the individuals’ skills and fitness, it will require them to work together and back each under extreme conditions.”

“All the courses are greatly supported by New Zealand Defence Force  recruiting (Defence Careers) and the NZ Police in Mahia and Gisborne.”

“We are looking forward seeing these youngsters show what they are made of.”

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 lecturer’s research into ChatGPT in education shows challenges and promises | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 days ago

Amr van den Adel is a Senior Lecturer in the EIT School of Computing in Auckland.

ChatGPT in educational settings has potential benefits, but there are also challenges, research by an EIT lecturer has found.

The research, led by Amr van den Adel, a Senior Lecturer in the EIT School of Computing in Auckland, has recently been published in the renowned journal Educational Sciences, entitled ChatGPT promises and challenges in education: Computational and ethical perspectives. The other authors of the article are Ali Ahsan and Claire Davison, both from the University of Torrens Australia. Amr and the two other authors are all members of the Centre for Organisational Change and Agility at Torrens.

The study explores the integration of ChatGPT in educational settings. It highlights the potential benefits, but also addresses significant challenges like AI biases and the lack of emotional and interpersonal interactions typical in traditional education.

“The paper underscores the need for ongoing research to adapt educational strategies in response to rapidly evolving AI technologies, offering insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers,” says Amr.

“This paper investigates the integration of ChatGPT into educational environments, focusing on its potential to enhance personalised learning and the ethical concerns it raises. Through a systematic literature review, interest analysis, and case studies, the research scrutinises the application of ChatGPT in diverse educational contexts, evaluating its impact on teaching and learning practices.”

Amr says that the key findings reveal that ChatGPT can enrich education significantly by offering dynamic, personalised learning experiences and real-time feedback, thereby boosting teaching efficiency and learner engagement.

“However, the study also highlights significant challenges, such as biases in AI algorithms that may distort educational content and the inability of AI to replicate the emotional and interpersonal dynamics of traditional teacher–student interactions.”

“The paper acknowledges the fast-paced evolution of AI technologies, which may render some findings obsolete, underscoring the need for ongoing research to adapt educational strategies accordingly.”

Amr says that this study provides a balanced analysis of the opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in education, emphasising ethical considerations and offering strategic insights for the responsible integration of AI technologies.

“These insights are valuable for educators, policymakers, and researchers involved in the digital transformation of education.”

Celebrating 10 years of West Coast Marine Reserves | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

Today we celebrate 10 years of West Coast Marine Reserves with a look at where they are, who looks after them, and what they are helping us discover.

The West Coast has five marine reserves, which represent the different habitat types found on the West Coast. The West Coast has a pretty wild coastline, so these marine reserves are mostly enjoyed by visitors from the shore, where the continuous mountains to sea landscapes give you the feeling you are somewhere special.

The reserves were established after thorough discussions over several years that involved Poutini Ngāi Tahu, local community representatives and several stages of public consultation.  By the time the reserves came into being, the local and other public support for them was strong, and that’s been reflected in the way that the ‘no fishing in the reserves’ rule is followed very well.

You would think in a place like the West Coast there would be remote places that nobody accessed, but the consultation process showed all areas on the coast were being accessed to some degree.

The main intent of marine reserves is as areas for scientific study.  But they have also been celebrated as places to enjoy the natural environment, and as a kind of insurance against the impacts that people can have on the sea.  They are a place where fish and other sea life can grow, sustaining local habitats and breeding stocks.  Each of the reserves has quite unique features.

Location of the West Coast’s five marine reserves:

Kahurangi. Photo: Andris Apse

The Kahurangi Marine Reserve reaches along 16 kilometres of coast, alongside the Heaphy Track Great Walk and the Kahurangi National Park.  The wide tidal zone of rocks and beaches in this large reserve are great to explore, with expansive mussel beds supporting starfish, octopus and seaweeds.  Offshore, the broad continental shelf is home to sealife like fur seals/kekeno, red cod, gurnard and sharks.

Punakaiki. Photo: Andris Apse

The Punakaiki Marine Reserve is centred on the world-famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walkway, and the ‘secret treasure’ of the Truman Track coastline.  The reserve extends the protection of the Paparoa National Park out into the Tasman Sea, to include rocky reefs where bull kelp swirls in the waves, and open ocean where seabirds like terns/tara, penguins/kororā and Westland petrels/taiko catch their fishy food.

Waiau Glacier Coast. Photo: Andris Apse

Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve reaches 11 km from Kohuamarua Bluff to Omoeroa Bluff.  The reserve complements the exceptional glacial landscapes of Westland Tai Poutini National Park to make it a truly ‘Mountains to Ocean’ sequence.  Extending about 4km offshore, it is one of the largest marine reserves in mainland New Zealand

Tauparikākā. Photo: Andris Apse

Tauparikākā Marine Reserve is New Zealand’s smallest marine reserve at just 17 hectares, but it importantly protects the ‘watery’ parts of the Ship Creek visitor site.  Here you can enjoy walking the beach, watching the Hector’s dolphins, and paddling in the tea-coloured stream mouth.

Hautai. Photo: Andris Apse

The remote Hautai Marine Reserve lies 50 km south of Jackson Bay and covers 8.5 km2.  This reserve protects some rocky coastal habitats where crayfish, kina, cod and other marine life can thrive.  Further out from the Hautai Reserve, underwater canyons reach ocean depths of more than 3000 metres and add to the rich diversity of this area.

Marine Reserves Ranger Don Neale has worked on the West Coast for DOC for over 35 years, always in a role with something to do with the ocean. His daily job involves monitoring, research, advocacy and making sure people follow the rules put in place to protect these reserves. Here he is with a sample of sea water which is being DNA tested to see what species exist in this particular stretch of coastline as part of a survey of the Kahurangi Marine Reserve coastline.

Photo: Spencer Virgin, University of Canterbury

Baseline monitoring of the marine reserves and nearby areas has been set up in the last few years. Over time this will show how the sea is changing and the difference that the protection is making in those places. Here, two researchers measure the abundance of mussels on a rock platform in an intertidal area in the Kahurangi Marine Reserve.

Protecting these individual reserves is more than a matter of making sure people don’t fish or gather seafood in them. Climate change is a massive threat to the health of marine reserves and the ocean generally. Over the past few summers, the West Coast has had marine heatwaves, raising the temperature of the oceans by an average of 5oC. Through photo analysis, DOC has noticed a worrying trend at a number of West Coast sites of bull kelp die-off, as this photo taken at the Punakaiki Marine Reserve demonstrates. Bull kelp is a large native seaweed that provides habitat for a number of marine species, and the die-off is a highly visible indication that our global carbon emissions are having a huge impact on the natural environment, which we depend on for our health and wellbeing.


Westland’s marine reserves can be seen as ‘a window into the ocean’ for us all.  They are protecting some of our special places, and revealing new things that might otherwise pass us by and go unnoticed. 

So get down to one of your wonderful marine reserves, celebrate their 10th anniversary, and see what you can find!

EIT horticulture team helps rescue rare Ngutukākā (Kakabeak) plants | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 mins ago

Horticulture lecturers Gerard Henry (left), Tania Basher and Tane Cruikshank with Helen Joros (second left) from the Department of Conservation.

Rare Ngutukākā (Kakabeak) plants, that survived Cyclone Gabrielle, have been planted by members of the EIT Primary Industries Horticulture team in a partnership with the Department of Conservation.

The seeds were collected , some by helicopter, from rare and precious wild Ngutukākā plants in the Wairoa region.

Primary Industries Programme Coordinator Lisa Turnbull says it means a lot to the team to have been able to get the plants to this point where they can be returned to the taiao.

Ngutukākā (kakabeak) is a plant of special significance to New Zealand. Its conservation status is Nationally Critical with less than 70 known plants growing in the wild.

These plants were first planted by the Growing Natives class in November 2022.

“DOC had collected the seeds from nine locations across the East Cape.  They entrusted these seeds to Tania Basher our PI Technician, and the night class group of horticulture ākonga were excited to be able to sow these seeds and nurture the plants into young seedlings.”

Last month, some of the PI Horticulture team, students from Ruakituri School and Helen Jonos from DOC worked together to plant them in their new enclosure in the Ruakituri Valley.

“Being able to grow, nurture and return these special plants to the taiao alongside DOC was a wonderful collaboration, and we look forward to doing more to help with Ngutukākā regeneration in the future.”

Lisa says these particular plants became extra special as they survived the cyclone, when they were in the hardening off section on the Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.

“They were rescued from the silt, repotted and looked after at home by members of the Primary Industries staff. It certainly has been a journey for them.”

Lecturers from EIT joined the Department of Conservation and students from Ruakituri School to plant rare Ngutukākā (Kakabeak) plants.

While it is the first time, they have partnered with the Department of Conservation to grow Ngutukākā, they hope to do it again.

“We are also exploring the idea of building our own predator proof planting area at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC) where our horticulture and environmental management ākonga can grow more Ngutukākā plants along with potentially other endangered species.”