UNITEC
FOR STUDENTS BY STUDENTS
3
CONTENTS
EDITOR's NOTE
4 6
INDIA AND ASIA:
TWO DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE SAME COIN
INSPIRATION IS IN
8 10 11
IN A ROOM
ULL OF PEOPLE
HIM
INSPIRATION CARDS
13 14
STUDENT SHOWCASE Mike Kumagai
OMELETTE:
DISCOVERING CREATIVITY
WITH YOU,
I don't see anybody else18.
16
THE STUDENT SPACE
STUDENT SHOWCASE Samuel Jang
19 CONTRIBUTORS: Poonam Pait, Matalena O'Mara, Jasmeet Dhanoa, Mia Peseta, Courtney Tokorangi, Indumathi Chitrambalam, Mike Kumagai, Omelette Discover Creativity (Montri Jaimeetham, Maria Green, Danae Ripley), Sheri Downs, Samuel Jang
UNITEC
FOR STUDENTS BY STUDENTS
THE DAD I MISS
STUDENT ADVOCATES HAVE YOUR BACK!
EDITOR: Miguel Efondo GRAPHIC DESIGN: Mark Lovatt DELIVERED FOR UNITEC BY
DON’T LEAVE
by Snakehips and MO
UNITEC STUDENT COUNCIL
2017
Matalena O’Mara Student President
Jasmeet Dhanoa International Rep.
Mia Peseta Maori Rep.
Muaitofiga Tuitama Pacific Rep
Danni-Elle Lindsay Waitakere Campus Rep
Rosie Stanton General Rep
Facebook: facebook.com/UnitecStudentCouncil Email: studentpresident@unitec.ac.nz
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EDITOR'S NOTE
hen we think about inspiration, we think of those ordinary people that have done extraordinary things in either our lives or for the world. We admire them for standing up for their beliefs and for being talented, selfless, patriotic, creative, innovative, or visionary. Without these people, the world would not be the same; our own lives would not be the same. But one thing these extraordinary people teach us is that all we need to do to inspire others is something “extra” in our ordinary lives. This issue of the magazine brings us students with extraordinary stories to tell. From an international student showing us a different side of India to a group of students standing up to deliver the best Unitec student life experience, from a loving daughter fighting to remember the good memories spent with her ailing dad to a daughter receiving a heartfelt advice for her new chapter in life, from students showcasing their talent to everyone reading this issue to
former students helping others to showcase their works, and from a group of students who teamed up to give our students a space to use for leisure and study to a group of individuals helping our students with their legal and study needs… inspiration is all around the campus! The best thing is that you have it in you to inspire others too. Yes, some people have had opportunities to transform and connect the world in ways
in ways that can never be repeated, but remember that many of those extraordinary people experienced hardship and even poverty, and they didn’t let it stop them. They climbed the mountain in front of them and they did it not because they are extraordinary, but because they were not afraid to overcome the challenges they faced. They, too, are ordinary people and they are a reminder that many of us fail to see the greatness within ourselves. We don’t need to make it onto the TV to be extraordinary. We don’t need the whole world to know our names. You can inspire one person and that person will remember you for the rest of their life. That can be your legacy. Changing someone’s life. Use your time here in Unitec to tell stories, to inspire people by your words and actions. We can help you do that but first, believe in yourself.
See you, Miguel
FOLLOW UNITEC STUDENT MEDIA
@UnitecStudents
Share your ideas and feedback with the Student Council by being a Class Rep for your programme. Speak to your lecturer or email representation@unitec.ac.nz for more information.
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B Y P O O N A M PA I T
INDIA AND ASIA: two different sides of the same coin
A journey to a foreign country inspired our international student Poonam Pait to write a story of her origin, what makes her who she is and inform people about what makes her unique like her home country of India.
I
came from the extreme north-eastern part of India called Arunachal Pradesh, where the sun rises first and the land is filled with unexplored greenery. It is a beautiful place with scenic exquisiteness that reminds me of New Zealand. Twenty-six indigenous tribes live in Arunachal and I belong to the Mishing tribe. Some of our people are found in the hills while most live in the plains of Assam, the neighbouring state. Nevertheless, we are the same people with the same ancestry. I live in a small town called Oyan and it falls at the East Siang district, where the mighty Siang river flows. My name is Poonam Pait. I am an International Student studying at Unitec Mt Albert campus, pursuing a post-grad diploma in International Communications. It is exhilarating to study in this country! New Zealand has been one of
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my favourite places to explore because of its marvellous picturesque landscapes. Watching The Lord of the Rings film franchise encouraged me to come and study here. I am loving every moment! There are things that take me back home – the landscape, the small houses, the vast greenery, and the flocks of sheep – things I saw when I was driving from Auckland to Hamilton, Tauranga, and Paihia. It is so peaceful and green. It is like a home away from home but just between us, I reckon that New Zealand is more beautiful! At first, I was surprised at what I discovered in Auckland. I simply hadn’t anticipated so much diversity! Queen Street is always full of people from all over the world and that shows how richly multicultural Auckland is. The city celebrates tremendous cultural commemorations like Diwali, Chinese
the
New Year, Korean Day, Japanese Day, Pasifika Festival, and Latin Fiesta to name a few. It feels good to celebrate festivals from your own home country and experience other countries' festivals as well. I have always been keen on learning about different cultures, so being able to experience them here is a blessing. It's a beautiful way to learn about another culture and develop an interest to know more.
BEING QUESTIONED ABOUT MY ETHNICITY CHALLENGED ME TO REASSERT WHO I AM MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. You can share your story to our students as well by sending it in to Unitec Student Media at studentmedia@ unitec.ac.nz or head over to our Facebook page and drop us a private message. Hope to hear from you soon!
I’ve met people who have become my good friends and confidants. I have also had my share of awkward moments due to the way I look. I am proud and so sure of my ethnicity so I find it startling to meet people, whether in class or at my parttime work, who tell me that I don't look like an Indian but more of an Asian. Although difficult at first, it has ultimately become an inspirational experience for me. Being questioned about my ethnicity challenged me to reassert who I am more than ever before. One thing bothers me though and I can’t help but want to ask, “Isn’t India in Asia?” It feels like for many people here in New Zealand, India and Asia are two different continents. It might be because India is such a big country with twenty-nine states, various religions, different, distinct landscapes, and a variety of colourful
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cultures. We may be living in one country but we Indians also have many regional differences. For instance, Northern Indians most often wear turbans, but Southern Indians generally wear a wrap-around called a lungi. Western Indians have a different way of speaking and Bollywood is a big part of their lives while Eastern Indians have their own characteristic appearance and a big heart! New Zealanders seem to judge my appearance and assume I’m a South East Asian yet, no matter how different I look from other Indians, at the end of the day, I am an Indian and my country falls under a huge continent and although it may be a surprise for some, it’s Asia! We, Eastern Indians, have always faced an identity crisis because of our features, but we are very much Indian. You should also be aware that India is in Asia so we are also Asians. India and Asia are not two different coins but they are the different sides of the same coin. Being met by such strong perceptions, my stay here in New Zealand has given me lots to reflect on. Above all, it has been inspirational. I have had time to think about my identity, what makes me ‘me’, and how my appearance and cultural heritage can be explained to others. I feel both proud and grateful to have the chance to let them know more about my people and Arunachal Pradesh. I’ve met students from all over the world here at Unitec and I now relish the chance to teach them about my ethnicity. In turn, they’ve shared heaps of their stories with me, stories about their parts of the world, and I look forward to gathering more wonderful experiences and memories while I study here in Auckland, my second home.
Keep on top of your emails, timetable, and what’s on by logging into the Student Portal. Head to myportal.unitec.ac.nz. unitecstudentmedia.co.nz
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JASMEET
Dhanoa
MATALENA
O'Mara
INSPIRATION
is in
Unitec Student Council 2017 is made up of the Student President and elected Unitec students who are committed to working on behalf of their fellow students. Unitec Student Media caught up with a few members of this year’s Council to hear about inspiration in their lives and work. Matalena O’Mara, who studied a Bachelor of Social Practice, is beginning her second term as Student President and leads this year’s Unitec Student Council. Two of the new members of the Council are Mia Peseta (Māori Rep) and Jasmeet Dhanoa (International Rep). Although these three women have different backgrounds and have followed different study pathways, they each have a similarly strong vision and purpose for their time on the Council. Matalena credits her mother as being her biggest inspiration as she’s navigated the complexity of student politics, the hardship of being a student and all the challenges that life presents. “For as long as I can remember, my Mum has been an inspiration to me. She was always hard working and never stopped fighting for people and justice,” she said. “My Mum raised me to stand up for what’s right and to believe that I can do anything I set out to achieve.” Jasmeet’s parents have been a huge influence on her, and
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this hasn’t changed a bit even now that she has left India to study far away from her home. She explained that her father never taught her how to do things or how to live life. Instead, he just let her watch, learn and grow in her own way. She said, “He is the person who most strongly believes in me. It is his belief that has made me capable and strong enough to earn my life today. My mother is my root, my foundation. She is the epitome of empathy, which is such an important quality. She always taught me that you live life just once; don’t waste it on others, just do your part and believe in yourself”. Whanau is equally important to Mia. Her mother is Tainui, and her father is Nga Puhi. She is also deeply connected with her community. She leads a women’s business group in South Auckland, runs a national children’s charity and has an oncampus club called ‘Connect and Grow’. In these endeavours, she has found it is vital to find inspiration within. “If I focus on external participants in the journey of my life, then how can I truly dance to my tune?” she said. She is a big
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MIA
Peseta
reader, even beyond the screeds of research reading her study requires and recommends books like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Joseph Princes' Destined to Reign. When Matalena, Jasmeet and Mia stood for Unitec Student Council, they were all inspired by the idea of serving their fellow students and being able to make a difference. Matalena first ran for Student Council because she realised that if she wanted change to happen, the best way to do it was by getting involved. During her time as Student President, Unitec has faced a huge amount of transformation. As the 2017 elections drew closer, students approached her and asked her to run once again. They praised the way she’d conducted herself and that she was not afraid to speak out strongly in the interests of students. Matalena said she realised that it is more important than ever for students to have a consistent and strong voice for
When things get tough, Mia focuses on being authentic. “I cry, then pray, then liaise with my friends who I know will tell me what I want to hear. Then I go to one of my life mentors and get help in confronting whatever is holding me back”. The value of a support network like this can’t be underestimated. Matalena said it’s her family who keeps her grounded even when she feels like she’s banging her head against the wall. They remind her where she used to be and how far she’s come. “My role would be much more difficult without also being able to connect with other Student Presidents doing the same work at different tertiary institutes. Although we each have slightly different issues on our campuses, we all do what we do to give students a voice. We share advice and offer understanding that only others in the same role can,” said Matalena. Something that is so humbling about speaking to these
“INSPIRATION EXISTS,
but it has to find us working"” – PICASSO
their own peace of mind. As her campaign said, “Change is good. Consistency is better.” Jasmeet also wants to make a difference this year. “I believe I have the ability to empower others and this is the quality that helps me go beyond my reach and help others.” She reminds herself of this daily by thinking about Mother Theresa’s words, “If you can’t feed hundred people, then feed just one”. Mia said she stepped up for the Council simply because she cares enough about others and the community to take action. She also laughed that being heavily caffeinated and sleepdeprived made her want to stop complaining and start things changing! Almost every student can relate to that. All of us face challenges throughout life, but there is something about being a student that seems to concentrate lots of them together. “There are times when I feel low and I want to give up,” Jasmeet admitted. She says it is then that she sits back quietly and thinks about everyone in her life. “I feel nothing but gratitude. You’ve just got to count your blessings and move on. Life is all about creating your own sunshine.”
women about what inspires them is how willing they are to help everyone else studying at Unitec to find their own source of support. Jasmeet said her main aim for the year is to listen to people and assist however she can. “We could all connect more and grow our knowledge by sharing and helping each other.” Likewise, Mia said, “If I can help others be empowered, develop and grow in their own journeys, then that is what I want to inspire!” Student President, Matalena accepts that it might not always be easy and in fact, sometimes student life is very difficult and complex. Despite this, she’ll never stop encouraging others to keep working towards their goals. She has a message for every student who needs a bit of inspiration. “If you’re studying at Unitec, I want you to know you’re not alone. Remember why you started and stick it out! At the end of the year, or whenever you graduate, everything you’ve done will be worthwhile. Just don’t give up because however it sometimes feels, people around you want you to succeed. I want you to succeed, and you can. You got this.”
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THE DAD
i miss BY CO U RT N E Y TO KO R A N G I
Courtney Tokorangi has been inspired by her father’s illness to develop a documentary film aiming to reveal more about her family’s relationships and raise awareness of his illness, bipolar disease. In this heartfelt piece, she explores what led to the work and shows us that some of the most deeply personal experiences can provide the most significant inspiration. 8
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T
he Dad that I remember was fun. Dad was the parent that all the other kids thought was really cool. He came to all my school camps and I felt proud to have him there. He would bring his guitar and play songs for everyone to sing along. He would show off his Michael Jackson dance moves that had everyone in awe. His favourite joke was introducing himself by his long-winded Cook Island name, more than 20 words that I never cared to write down or remember, ending with the punch line, ‘But you can call me Nga!’ Mum says I was a real daddy’s girl. I distinctly remember the routine we had - Dad walking in the door from a day at work and me running into his arms. I loved my Dad’s hugs. He was like this big bear and I felt safe and warm in his arms. Whenever he was sitting on the couch, I would snuggle up next to him and pull his arm around me. My dad was the best. School holidays were always my favourite. Mum was usually at work and so for two weeks, Dad stayed home to look after us. This meant closing
IT’S HARD TO PINPOINT THE EXACT TIME THAT I BECAME AWARE OF MY DAD’S ILLNESS. I DON’T REMEMBER BEING SAT DOWN AND TOLD, “YOUR DAD HAS A BIPOLAR DISORDER.” the curtains, getting blankets and munchies, and watching the old Star Wars trilogy together over and over. When the first of The Lord of the Rings film was released, it was added to our playlist. Other films included were The Golden Child, the Rush Hour films, and the Men in Black films. This was definitely where my love of film comes from. I learnt a lot from Dad. He taught me how to play the guitar and we would play and sing together. He taught me old songs that I’d never heard of before such as Hotel California and House of the Rising Sun. He sang and played in the church band at Rimutaka Baptist and I remember learning songs from OHP paper that he’d bring home for practice. Dad was also a very talented artist. He mostly only drew when we asked him to, like when he made my brother and I large cardboard folders that he illustrated for us to put our own artworks into. He also decorated our cakes for our birthdays. My brother always got cars or a cricket bat. I got a Barbie in a dress cake, a Snow White and Seven Dwarves cake, and a Barney cake.
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It’s hard to pinpoint the exact time that I became aware of my Dad’s illness. I don’t remember being sat down and told, “Your Dad has a bipolar disorder.” It might have happened and if it did, I don’t recall it. There is, however, a distinct turning point for me that I remember very vividly and it was when I stopped believing in my Dad. It was an evening in August 2007. Dad picked me up from Girl’s Brigade and as we were driving home, he pulled over and stopped the car. He chose that moment to tell me, 14 years old at the time, that mum had been diagnosed with depression and was spending a lot of time at home in bed. He told me she was on medication and that he was going to take over things at home to give her a break. According to my diary entry, he also told me that he had been depressed since the day I was born. He told me that I couldn’t tell anyone I knew, especially mum, and that hurt the most. At 14 years old, my understanding of this illness was pretty sketchy. At that young age, I had been told that my mum was depressed, that my dad had been depressed since my birth, and that I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone about it. Apparently, it was okay because my Dad promised me that he was going to sort it out. He was going to take the stress off of my mum, she was going to get better, and it was all going to be fine. I cried a lot when we got home. My mum came to my room and asked me what was wrong but I couldn’t tell her. I had promised not to and I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to burden her if she was depressed. That night and the nights that followed, my Dad didn’t sleep due to stress and it triggered an episode that made him become manic. A couple of days later we moved out, leaving my dad at home, and stayed with a family friend living nearby whose daughter I went to college with. It wasn’t great. I didn’t like not being at home but I was happy to be away from Dad. We were all a little bit happier. It was a relief to see mum getting some sleep. I think I probably watched her like a hawk since my dad told me about her being depressed. It was encouraging to know she was sleeping better and I felt like I could relax a little bit too. I remember being angry and hurt but mostly, I felt betrayed. I’d taken comfort in knowing that Dad was going to step up and make it all better. But what did he do instead? He got himself so sick that we had to move out of our own house so he could get himself right. He let me down. I trusted him to be my Dad at that time when I was so worried for my mum and he failed me. From that point on, I felt as though it was my responsibility to help look after my family. If my mum was depressed, she couldn’t do it on her own and it was clear to me that Dad couldn’t look after us. I started putting up the walls that eventually blocked my Dad out of my life completely. I learned that the easiest way to deal with the hurt was to block it out. Every now and then, I would wish I could run into my Dad’s arms and bury myself in his embrace. Almost every day I wish I could show him the drawings I did, the set I painted, or the things I built. The little girl in me constantly longs for the Dad she used to look up to and to make him proud. I miss my Dad and I want him back.
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HIM
B Y I N D U M AT H I C H I T R A M B A L A M
H
e set the picnic basket down by the towering oak tree. The sweet smell of the vegetation ripening in the Indian summer conquered our senses as I was running around the field, changing the angle of my arms and mimicking an airplane. The streaks of sunlight were cutting through the clouds and I felt the stiff breeze under my cotton shirt. That spot had been our usual hangout place, just me and him without the outside world intruding. A balancing act between time and love in the way of strengthening our bonds. I was aware that in a few years, things would change and it wouldn’t remain the same. ‘Come on up here,’ he said. I looked up and saw him sitting on the bough of the oak tree, swinging his legs back and forth. The site was a lush green carpet of plants. It was so peaceful and quiet that day. It reminded me of that time when we were seated under the same tree and then we heard a squawking and flapping sound above our heads. Turned out a pigeon had its claw trapped in a fishing line. He climbed up to rescue the bird and that’s when he saw the view up there for the first time. He was amazed by it and he started describing the breeze which felt like sunshine and wild grass. ‘Come on, you have to get up here!’ he shouted. I was back to the present time. We were too old for climbing trees, I reckon. ‘I don’t think I can,’ I said as I looked up towards him. ‘Please, I want you to see this,’ he insisted. Giving in to his pleading, I stared at the 80-foot-tall tree in front of me. I curled my hands around the thick branch, making sure I had a strong grip on it, and climbed up with one foot on the tree trunk. Through a lattice of interlocking limbs, twigs outspread into lobed, many-fingered leaves, I finally made it to the top. Climbing a tree? I have never done that before. It was exhilarating! And wow, it smelled exactly like he described. My lungs were filled with the sweetest smell I have ever known.
‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ he asked me as I try to regain my composure. ‘Spectacular! I could just sit here for hours,’ I said as I stared at the world under our feet. The distant mountains looked like they were kissing the clouds and combed green meadows tapered towards the sun. ‘So have you decided yet?’ he asked. I knew he was going to bring the topic up sometime soon. I had avoided discussing it with him for a week as I couldn’t make a decision. ‘I don’t know. Maybe I should just stick to things as they are right now? I don’t want to screw it up,’ I murmured as I tried to avoid his gaze. ‘A ship in harbour is safe but that is not what ships are built for! Indu, you are not seeing the big picture here,’ he said in his calming voice. ‘What do you mean?’ I asked, this time looking at his face. ‘Years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, while you still can, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails and start to explore.’ I nodded. He smiled radiantly as he embraced me. We stayed up there looking at the blazing orange sunset, setting fire to the clouds on the horizon. His hand enclosed mine. There would be lightness in every step ahead of us and, as we cherished every moment spent together, I felt the heaviness in my heart lift. It’s been years now yet because of those words, I chose writing as my career path and I’m glad I did. He inspired me in ways I couldn’t have expected. This journey of exploring started that day I crossed thousands of miles and finally ended up here in New Zealand. As I was writing this, I was reminded that I was already late for our daily routine call schedule. I pulled out my phone and as I dialled his number, these words appeared on my screen: Calling Dad.
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INSPIRATION CARDS cut them out and pass them on
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL.
(It's true.)
IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE
PLACE YOUR PAST
WITH YOU,
I don't see anybody else.
INTO A BOOK.
Burn the pages; let 'em cook. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL by James Blunt
BURN THE PAGES
by Sia
DON’T LEAVE
by Snakehips and MO
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY,
Don't let it get away
WHEN THERE’S NO ONE
TRUE COLORS ARE
YOURSELF. LIKE YOUR
BEAUTIFUL,
just trust the voice within.
Like a rainbow
BEAUTIFUL DAY
by u2
ELSE, LOOK INSIDE
TRUE COLOURS
by Cyndi Lauper
OLDEST FRIEND,
THE VOICE WITHIN
by Christina Aguilera
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STUDENT Mike Kumagai SHOWCASE Degree: Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts, Directing) What's your creative process like? In most cases, this is how it goes: find a tone or outcome I want to impart on the audience, assemble some sort of dramatic/visual puffery, then work backwards until it becomes something interesting. Who, or what, inspires your work? My backyard has a well-worn path from me walking around in circles, muttering to myself. I find that place bizarrely inspirational.
Five things you dislike: Having the same conversation over and over again, the awkwardness from not being introduced, never having enough socks, waiting, and when technology breaks. Social Media Links: mikekumagai.weebly.com twitter.com/jimbysexypants flickr.com/photos/mikekumagai facebook.com/ruthandjimby
Five things you like: Setting foot in a new place for the first time, stories, thinking about stuff, covers which are better than originals, and my Nikon F3. unitecstudentmedia.co.nz
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WHAT IS OMELETTE
discover creativity?
Omelette is a platform for artists to showcase and sell their art. It is a place for lovers of creative things to see the talent New Zealand has to offer. Our vision is to forge a creative community to support established and developing artists, provide them with industry exposure and job opportunities so they can thrive. It will not just be for painters - it is intended that it will encompass a wide range of creatives such as photographers, graphic designers, sculptures, drawers, videographers, graffiti artists, digital artists, architectural drawers, innovators, performing artists etc.
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Who are the people behind the team? Montri Jaimeetham (Unitec alumnus) is the founder, designer and marketing manager. Maria Green (co-founder) is looking after all the legal work, making sure everything is well organised and keeping Montri in check! The Spartans Developer Team at Dollar Sign are our website developers and have been a big part of our journey. They’re currently putting the finishing touches on the platform. Danae Ripley, a talented design student at Unitec, is a great support.
What were the motivations behind starting Omelette? Was it a smooth journey? Montri saw there was a gap in the market for a platform for artists to showcase and sell their art. Montri wanted to do something to add value to the lives of artists and saw this as a
FOR US, SUCCESS MEANS A BUSINESS WE ARE PROUD OF AND A BUSINESS WHICH IS UNIQUELY US. THERE’S A LONG ROAD AHEAD BUT WE WILL GET THERE. way of making it easy for creatives to upload and display their work and letting us do the marketing and create opportunities for them. Montri wanted there to be one place for consumers to go to - to see the talent NZ has to offer, be inspired, be entertained and purchase creative things. Also, to be able to commission artists whether that be to paint a mural, draw portraits, make a bespoke sculpture or photograph a wedding for example. The main focus is to forge a creative community which is positive, supportive and inspiring. We want to encourage the development of established artists and those yet to be discovered. It will be great to have one platform hosting all kinds of creative media in one place so artists can be easily discovered. The idea has only been kept alive by Montri’s unwavering passion and motivation to leave his own creative legacy. It would have been easy to give up as it takes a lot of consistent energy to take an idea and turn it into a reality. Startups are never easy especially with limited time and resource. There have been obstacles along the way and there will be more to come – but we’ve enjoyed the journey so far. We’ve had to keep going, not be disheartened and find a way of solving the problem. It’s great to see the website coming together
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and visualise its future potential. This has given us renewed energy which will help take us across the finish line!
Who are the people who inspired you along the way? We’ve got a great group of successful friends and family who have inspired and supported us from the start. They’ve helped point us in the right direction. We’ve taken proactive steps to seek out support and awesome mentors have emerged. We are very fortunate to have had the help we have received – but we’ve been proactive in seeking out help and kept an open mind to opportunities that presented themselves.
What is success for you? How did Unitec help you attain it? Success to us is being able to do what you love and this is what we are seeking by developing Omelette. It means adding value to the life of creatives, getting them exposure, helping them make money and providing them with opportunities. For us, success means a business we are proud of and a business which is uniquely us. There’s a long road ahead but we will get there. Unitec gave Montri his start at university but has been instrumental of late in getting our message out there by allowing us to have our ‘mini launch’ at the Unitec GradFest. We were so pleased at how receptive people were to our idea and saw it had real practical application. We are very grateful for the support from Unitec for our mini launch. We would like to give special thanks to Bobby Hung, Vanessa Brynes and Danae Ripley for their support. We hope to develop a strong relationship going forward so we can have a mutually beneficial relationship which will really help Unitec design students.
Omelette was established to provide support for local artists. What's the best piece of advice each one of you can give to those new to the industry? Don’t give up! If you love what you do, then find the way to do it and get yourself out there. Be consistent, keep learning, keep developing and keep making. Also, there is nothing wrong with sharing and networking with others too. Your beautiful work will be totally useless if you lock it in the dark place or bury them down in your hard drive. Enjoy creating and if it is not working with this one pick yourself up and try again and hopefully you will find that missing ingredient to get you there. Dream big and never lose that fire that got you started in the first place! Follow Omelette at facebook.com/Omelettenz/
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BY SHERI DOWNS
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unitecstudentmedia.co.nz
THE STUDENT SPACE
the
Last year, our Unitec Student Council (USC) worked hard on establish the USC Student Space at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus. The Council spent countless hours working with students and staff who generously shared their time and skills to give us our own space at the campus. The space is designed to be a recreational study area and was conveniently situated on Building 63, which was previously known as Te Puna o Wairaka, a bilingual childcare centre. It is on the left-hand side of Gate 4 carpark and across the shuttle stop in front of Building 112.
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The space was officially opened on 1 September You can meet the team and check last year and has been operating on weekdays since out their activities online at then. It has plenty of indoor rooms you can use to facebook.com/UnitecStudentCouncil. study, covered outdoor areas for chilling, a huge room for a group study, clean room for your baby’s rest and needs, complete kitchen facilities, and more! Let’s not forget to mention that it has free Wi-Fi and pool tables! Although it’s located at the Mt Albert campus, the USC Student Space is open to all Unitec students. It is the perfect getaway on campus to relax, study, and get to know the Unitec Student Council team! unitecstudentmedia.co.nz
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Samuel Jang
STUDENT SHOWCASE Degree: Master of Architecture (Professional) What's your creative process like? I kind of float around random ideas that come and go and one day it all makes sense suddenly. It is subsequently turned into a visual or auditory work. Who, or what, inspires your work? For me it is that moment just before you fall asleep. Five things you like: Oceans, Beaches, Water, Sea, Waterfronts Five things you dislike: Rivers, Lakes, Swamps, Forests, Mountains How can your work change the world around you? My work can change the world around me by showing things with an alternative perspective by suggesting different ideas, concepts and visualizations. Social Media Links: soundcloud.com/rainy-piano instagram.com/archifunked youtube.com/channel/UCcNv72pj6N-w4AL_Mc-vghw
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unitecstudentmedia.co.nz
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GOT A PROBLEM?
student advocates have your back
The Student Advocacy team is your go-to resource for any legal and studyThe Student team is studying your go-to resource for The anyadvocates related problem you mayAdvocacy encounter while here at Unitec.
and study-related problem you may encounter while can also givelegal you guidance on any legal-related problems you have outside of the studying heresome at Unitec. advocates can also give you campus. Here are of theThe things they can help students with: guidance on any legal-related problems you have outside of the campus. Here are some of the things they can help students with: Contacting lecturers/staff.
Sometimes you may want an advocate to contact your lecturer on your behalf. This could be because you want to stay anonymous, feel nervous contacting them directly, or simply think an advocate will be able to get a better result. Advocates can even accompany you to your meetings with staff as your support person.
Appealing your grade.
Come and see the advocates for help with getting evidence for this. Important: You need to apply for a SAC within 5 days of the assessment!
Getting in trouble!
Advocates can give advice and support to students who have allegedly breached the Student Disciplinary Statute. This includes going to meetings with students and speaking on their behalf.
Advocates can give you advice on whether you may have grounds to appeal your grade. An example would be if there has been a material irregularity with the assessment. Note: Disagreeing with the academic judgment of the marker is not a valid grounds! If you feel you have been given an unfair mark, often the best option is to meet with the marker and discuss why (with evidence) you should be given a higher mark. Advocates can help you to arrange this meeting.
Student complaints.
SACs - Special Assessment Circumstances.
Our Student Advocates are legally trained so they can point you in the right direction with any other issues you encounter outside the campus. Examples would be issues in employment, tenancy, trouble with the police, etc.
You will want to apply for an SAC when something outside of your control like illness or bereavement affected your ability to complete an assessment.
Advocates can help students to make a complaint about an aspect of their experience here at Unitec. This is usually done through a formal complaint process. We can give advice on this process, go to any meetings, and support students through the whole process. Some complaints from students are that the lecturer speaks too fast or they experience bullying or harassment from lecturer and/or fellow students.
Other issues.
The Student Advocacy team sits inside Ed. Collective and can be found in Building 111, Room 1025. Feel free to drop in, send them an email at studentadvocate@unitec.ac.nz or call 0800 10 95 10. If you are based at the Waitakere campus, they can arrange to meet with you.
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UNITEC STUDENT M E D I A WA N T S TO CO N N EC T W I T H YO U ! Getting involved with Unitec Student Media while you study is a great way to develop your skills, build up your portfolio, and showcase your talents. Unitec Student Media focuses on politics and culture, student life, learning experiences, and whatever is most important to students like you. We also publish opinion pieces, art, photography, short films, and fiction. If you have a talent for any of the following, we want to hear from you.
writing
photography
illustration
music
You don’t have to be studying these things at Unitec. You just have to be passionate enough to get involved! You’ll be able to develop many skills that employers value and gain experience you can include in your CV. Having published work will provide tangible proof of your abilities and set you apart from other job applicants. To find out more email: studentmedia@unitec.ac.nz or like our Facebook page at facebook.com/UnitecStudents
UNITEC
FOR STUDENTS BY STUDENTS
UNITECSTUDENTMEDIA.CO.NZ