Waiariki Today Issue 13

Rotorua | Taupo | Tokoroa | Whakatane Issue 13 February 2011

L O R EN W NO2011 FOR

The School of Forestry and Primary Industries

A Cut Above Waiariki 2011

“WAIARIKI HAS NEVER BEEN IN BETTER SHAPE.” – CHIEF EXECUTIVE PIM BORREN PhD PLUS: Waiariki launches new Academy of Singing and Music • 35 new musical scholars join • Mentoring in singing, music, performing and management • and more inside!

waiariki.ac.nz

Kia Ora

Rotorua | Taupo | Tokoroa | Whakatane Issue 13 February 2011

Kēneti Te Whaingā Kennedy Kaumātua Te Whare Takiūra o Waiāriki

Issue:

13

Next Issue:

June 2011

Deputy Chief Executive:

John Snook

Editor:

Lyn Maner

Sub-editor:

Sue Gunn, Maketing Manager

Contributing Writers: Photos:

Ross Boreham, Dr Toby Curtis, Moana Dawson Kristin O’Driscoll

Designer:

Dan Woodward, Fuel Advertising

Printer:

APN Print

E-mail:

marketing@waiariki.ac.nz

Address:

Marketing Department Waiariki Institute of Technology Private Bag 3028 Rotorua 3046

Roto rua

| Tau po

| Tok oroa

kata | Wha

e ne Issu

obe 9 Oct

9 r 200 ane To k o roa | Whakat o | Tokoroa a upo Ta Rotorua | Taupo

ry 2009 Issue 7 Februa Issu

ENROL NOW TER 2

Lenovo WIN a tebook S10e No

FOR SEMES

2010!

g Reducin barriers on ati to educ Deputy

i reveals utive Maor Chief Exec

ENROL

Roto rua

Rotorua | Taupo up p o | Tokoroa To | Whakat Wha W akatane ane Issue 8 June Jun n e 2009 2009

| Tau po

| Tok oroa | Wha kata

The Sc

hool of

new plans

!

Spring n lleAcrt ctoimoes to Waiariki Ceo arable in this issue:

W

ips holarsh Trust Sc you can get one Rotorua how y are and What the

We reve al the NE W face

New Certificate in Turf Managem ent is here – 2 Fashion designers Doctor joins needed

201 0

ining - RE AL Sk for the REAL Wo ills rld!

The Wa Commuiariki nity Rec rea

in this issue sue::

11 June

Trade Tra

R 2010

NOW FO

ne Issu e

Shift ge with Wa ars iariki

of fitness

tion Ce

b bio bi biotechno otech in Milan – 2 hno ollogy depa departmen parttmen Industry experts ment – 2 Lecturers cut – p4 provide sers make thewho love travel dee up-to-dat esser upup-to dres bring their experience ird o-d air date H Hairdres a e teaching teeach ching ngg – PLU Studying master’s – p5 3 leader – p3 s to the classroom z fish – p7 rss go for their online makes life S: Culinary ms – 3, 4, 5 ms theforbig welcomes new riki.ac.n mbers em easier member me busy people – swims with waia– p5 Stafff mem Cooking Forestry school student 4 Establishing students aim to future • arts qua design op d Top g in internatio ntern hip is for the birds our region – p6 To rnat attiona 'You lifications nal all ties t es is ggood quo – p8 follow in Jamie Oliver’s footsteps New partners Prime ood d business forth Guarant status Minister commends Waiariki eed the – 6 Ti is improving in expand the region – 5ee' exceed exce Tips fo cre aff ex ta Staff creating eatin ea ngg a h for training and wha – p11 pss ffor healthy Computer literacy • New p9 eal Waiariki–receives alth WOW – p7 S hy home h programm –7 puzzling , new squad es – 8 N recognitio cou t it mea participates in word iiss p New ssw ew oss wM newn athletes Māori for social work Crosswo Cr Cro āori ccarving āo year, carvvin ca Fashion student ns for you ncil chair look Waiariki ng ce New Working certifi degree ertifi p9 tificate – ficate preserves – 9 Practice ognittion – p10 with secondary schools – 10 on the grow traditional arts yyour ecog ou re recognit s at ur tee reo • and mor reo Māori ce e reco eceive Māāo āori – 9 –8 Agriculture is Keeping up with udent rreceive and student e - insid the the athlet athletes hletes es off the training, tutor the ssports sp e! porttss Carpentry training,

ntre

and educ ation

academy acade academy my – 11 my

Nau mai, hāere mai ki tēnei te putanga tuatahi mo tēnei tau hou o “Waiariki Today”, he pānui ā tuhi nā Te Whare Takiūra o Waiāriki. Kei te hāere tonu te tautokonā i tēnei pānui ā tuhi, mai i te tīmatanga, ā, tae rawa mai ki tēnei putanga, nā te mea, he pānui tuhituhi whakamāramatanga tēnei, kia whakamōhiotia ai te hāpori rāua ko te Iwi i te āhua o te nako kei roto i tēnā, i tēnā, o ngā kura katoa o te whare takiūra nei. Ēhara nō te takiwa o Rotorua anake, ēngari, mo ngā kura ā takiwa katoa, e noho mai rā i raro i te Mana o Te Whare Takiūra o Waiāriki, mai i te Mānuka Tūtahi ki Whakatāne peka atu ki Te Kāokāoroa o Pātetere ki Tokoroa, ā, tae atu ki Taupo nui ā Tia ki Tūwharetoa, me tā mātau Kura Tāpuhi, he manga o Te Puna Whai Ora e noho mai rā i te whakamarumaru o Te Kuratini o Pōike, i ngā pāpāringa o Tauranga Mōana.

Welcome to this, the first edition for the new year of Waiariki Today, a newsletter written by Waiariki Institute of Technology for you all who reside within the Waiariki region. This newsletter has been continuously supported from the beginning through to this latest edition, because it gives the community and iwi an understanding of what is currently happening in each of our six schools to date, the schools of Trade Training; Forestry and Primary Industries; Nursing and Health Studies; Business and Tourism; Communications, Technology and Computing; and Māori Development, Humanities and Research. You may note that this information is not only for the Rotorua District, but for our campuses also in Whakatane, Tokoroa and Taupo, including our Bachelor of Nursing nestled at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga.

Nā reirā ko te tūmanako, kia pānuitia ai te katoa o tēnei putanga, ā ,tera pea, hei te tekau ma wha o tenei marama tonu, ka tūtakitaki anō i a koutou whānau, i a koutou tamariki mokopuna rānei, e whai ana i te mātauranga ka tika, hei ōranga mo tātau katoa, ahakoa kua whakaitingia e te Kāwanatanga i te pūtea āwhina, me te aukatīngia e rātau ētahi akonga o tēnei rohe o Te Waiāriki kia tae ā tinana mai ai ki te ako i te mātauranga i raro i te maru o tā mātau whare takiūra nei. Hēoi anō kei kōnei tonu mātau e pau kaha ana ki te whakawhāngai i te mātauranga ki a rātau e waimarie ana ki te whakauru ma ii te waharoa, i runga i tēra whakatauki anō hoki o ā tātau Mātua Tūpuna:

Therefore, the desire is that you read everything that’s written in this newsletter, and in so doing, it may stimulate you, or your child, or your grandchild, to pursue a career, an education pathway here at Waiariki, with the first academic semester for this year starting this month on February 14.

waiariki.

ac.nz

Missed an issue of Waiariki Today?

Tihiōtonga te maunga Utuhina te awa Te Rotonui ā Kahu te Mōana Ihenga te Tūpuna Whare Tangatarua te Marae Te Whare Takiūra o Waiāriki e tau nei Tihēi Mauri Ora!

“Te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōnā te ngāherehere Te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te āo.”

This is already Issue 13 of our three-times-per-year publication bringing you the news, events and happenings of Waiariki Institute of Technology, its staff and students.

Although the government has reduced our financial funding, and has diminished the amount of positions available for students to be able to study here this year, we will continue to provide education in the region, which will only prove to be so positive for the betterment of you, your children and your whānau, and on those words, I will refer to a proverb handed down from our ancestors, which is as follows: The bird that eats all the miro berries of the forest, that forest belongs to that bird. The person that pursues all the pathways of education, the world belongs to that person.

Nāku noa

If you missed previous issues, you can view them online at www.waiariki.ac.nz, or email marketing@waiariki.ac.nz and we’ll send the one/s you’re missing free of charge.

Front cover photo: Steven Gray competed in the chainsaw skills relay race on Waiariki’s Waipa campus. Mr Gray is studying toward the Certificate in Forest Operations at Waiariki’s Taupo campus.

Enrol NOW For Semester 1!

Pick up Waiariki’s 2011 Prospectus and Career Guide from any Waiariki campus and see all the exciting new qualifications on offer, as well as the time-tested, high quality favourites for which the institute is known.

Certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications – they’re y’re all here!

201

ctus

spe

201 1 Pro

Pro 1 and spectu s Care er G uide

Dr Toby Curtis Chairperson, Te Arawa Lakes Trust He Mihi Tēnā koutou katoa, mai Maketu ki Tongariro. Ko te tūmanako i pai ta koutou noho i roto i ngā korikoritanga o te Kirihimete. Nā reira kia kaha te maki i ngā mahi kai mua i a tātou i te tau e tū mai nei. Kia uu, kia manawanui.

My word, 2010 came and went by so quickly. I suspect 2011 will be no different. However, there are a number of things that Te Arawa Lake Trust would like to achieve before this coming Christmas!

and

e

er G uid

Care

Lakes Water Quality Okere Falls Gates: Ngati Pikiao, Lake Rotoiti Ratepayers Association and Bay of Plenty Regional Council have A worked assiduously to attain an agreed water level to satisfy w the various constituents they represent. This has proved to be a very challenging ordeal. They came to the view that b each would present their case to the commissioners who would then provide a verdict by which they would all abide. w In the process, however, each group became better aware of each other’s concerns and needs. In the meantime, the commissioners are awaiting a decision from the Environment

Court because it could have a strong influence on the outcome of their verdict.

Lake Rotoehu: We were appraised that the work done by Professor David Hamilton and his group is succeeding in Rotoiti regarding the quality of water. The weed, while still a challenge in terms of growth control, is manageable. It is hoped that the results of Lake Rotoehu in 2011 will be helpful in deciding how best to clean up Lake Rotorua, which poses the greatest challenge of the lakes.

Pink and White Terraces GNS Science in Taupo is working closely with Tuhourangi, Waahiao, Hinemihi and Te Arawa Lakes Trust to establish and develop the Rotomahana project exploring the bed of Lake Rotomahana to determine the geological state of the Pink and White Terraces. Photographic and video visuals will allow a meaningful and precise reading of the data. Ā kaati kua rahi. In the next edition of Waiariki Today I’ll provide an update on the development of the Rotorua Māori Business Association.

ki In st

Wa iari

Semester 1 beginss February 14th.

Iwi News

itute nol

of Te ch

your

PA G E 2

|

waia

journ

ey to

riki

succ

ess

rotoru

a | ta

upo

waiariki today

| toko

roa |

whak

atan

e

w w w. w a i a r i k i . a c . n z

Waiariki Institute of Technology heading into 2011

by Chief Executive Pim Borren, PhD Waiariki has never been in better shape. Rapid growth over the past four years now makes it one of the largest provincial polytechnics in New Zealand.

How fortunes have changed. In 2006 student numbers were at rock bottom. There was no cap on numbers but Waiariki couldn’t even muster 2,000 EFTS (equivalent full-time students).

Compare this to 2010: student numbers have more than doubled, there are waiting lists for most qualifications, and we are turning away students earlier than any other polytechnic in New Zealand.

As an example, just look at Waiariki’s Bachelor of Nursing. This year we have had more than 1,000 applications for 200 new places. This is a recognition of both the quality of the programme (still regarded by many as the best in the country) and the vibrancy that has become normal campus life at Waiariki.

There is no longer the ghost-town feel of yesteryear. Instead, hoards of mostly young students fill our campuses. In 2010, at least half of our new students were under 20 years of age.

Again, this is a huge transformation from a few years ago.

And not just New Zealand students are finding Waiariki the right option for study.

International student numbers have risen even more rapidly, quadrupling from 100 EFTS in 2006 to more than 400 EFTS in 2010.

Of course, teaching students is our primary business. So with increasing rolls so our revenues have grown, too. In 2010 Waiariki earned just under $50 million and staffing numbers increased to 550.

What are we doing with some of this improved business performance and growing revenue base? Well, we are investing some of our dollars into our future.

In 2010 we signed off $7.5 million worth of new capital. This includes a new teaching block (the first in nearly a decade) alongside our Tangatarua Marae. It is a $4 million building designed by local architects APR Architects. It will include a 200-seat lecture and performing arts theatre as well as a range of other flexible classrooms. We are beginning our new boulevard which will ultimately feed

“...student numbers have more than doubled, there are waiting lists for most qualifications, and we are turning away students earlier than any other polytechnic in New Zealand.”

Waiariki Chief Executive Pim Borren, PhD Waiariki Chief Executive Pim Borren, PhD

right through the middle of our campus with a mixture of trees and footpaths. This is a most exciting development which will help pull the campus together more logically into our future.

We are also restimulating our Waipa campus.

We haven’t seen much investment at Waipa for some years. However, we have rebranded the campus as Forestry and Primary Industries.

Shifting agriculture and horticulture staff and students to Waipa has two major advantages: we are able to create additional space at Mokoia; and, more importantly, we are able to group the primary industries into a cohesive set of courses and qualifications to better meet the skills needs for what remains the backbone of our local and national economies. We hope to work closely with the various primary ITOs (Industry Training Organisations) to provide a unique training academy for future generations of farmers and foresters.

Keeping our lakes clean and our native bush safe will protect our tourism industry into the future as more and more of our world suffers the affects of pollution. We also have opportunities for the research of clean energies such as thermal and hydro, and a range of environmentally friendly products related to our wood industry and forest plantations.

Other recent developments at Waiariki include the establishment of the Waiariki Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sustainability and the Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music.

Our Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music follows the same template as our hugely successful Waiariki Academy of Sport. By supporting our young people to follow their talents in singing and music through creating a sympathetic environment for performance development, our performers will also be studying a qualification of their choice. We are keen to support our most talented young people and keep them in our region for as long as we can. At the same time, we are aware that not all will make a permanent career out of performing. Our academy therefore gives them a career option to fall back on.

Alternatively, some will choose qualifications which are complimentary to performance (e.g., management, business or journalism).

The Waiariki Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sustainability will see us embed sustainable practices into all of our courses. We see this focus as being ideal for the region in which we live, given the range of environmental advantages we have here.

Our Waiariki Academy of Sport now has more than 70 athletes completing their training while pursuing their dreams in their chosen sport – and in 2010 our first two world champions, Monique Avery (Xterra Junior World Champion) and Sam Sutton (Extreme

Kayak World Champion)!

There are so many other things happening at Waiariki. We are looking forward to 2011. It will be a year of consolidation after four years of growth. Government funding cutbacks mean that our first-year enrolments will be lower this year. However, we are anticipating ongoing growth amongst new markets offshore (e.g., students from Turkey, Chile, Sri Lanka). Overall we expect to be around the same size in total revenues. Fortunately and for the first time in our history, we have also been able to grow our financial reserves. While we are expecting greater restrictions in enrolments, we won’t need to reduce staff numbers at this point, nor the range of qualifications and career options we offer.

Personally I am looking forward to slowing down a little. I have recently agreed to a further five-year contract (maximum allowable for public sector chief executives). It has been a hectic past five years. I have enjoyed every bit of it. We simply have the greatest team of educators at Waiariki and a special staff culture which values and cares for individuals. I am looking forward to leading the organisation through the next five years. I am expecting more opportunities for development both in capital and other education-based projects. I am sure there will be many collaborations with other providers, local and overseas. There is just so much still for us to learn!

Diploma focuses on technology and its environmental impacts Sustainable energy is a matter of major and increasing environmental importance, and Waiariki now offers a Diploma in Sustainable Energy featuring a great balance of knowledge and practical skills.

The one-year, full-time, Level 5 qualification was introduced by Waiariki’s School of Forestry and Primary Industries last year and aims to give students a solid understanding of how to harness sustainable energy sources and optimise resources.

School Administration Manager, Jonathon Hagger, says environmental and sustainable energy occupations are the way of the future and graduates will find a range of exciting career opportunities which can also make a real difference to our world.

0800 924 274

“The courses in the diploma focus on the conceptual side of sustainable energy and how it can be utilised to improve the efficiency of both existing buildings and new construction,” he says. “It’s a very practical, hands-on approach which looks at how existing and emerging technology work and also how the design and construction of buildings can be used to generate low-cost, totally sustainable energy.”

Two of the tutors have completely self-powered properties and Mr Hagger says it’s that kind of background and experience that ensures they have great, practical knowledge to pass on to their students.

“The worldwide awareness of environmental issues has seen greatly increased research into renewable energy and has created a shortage of

0800 924 274

skilled people in this rapidly developing field.”

Students will learn how to audit a building from an energy perspective – how much power it requires and how much of that energy can be efficiently self-generated. “We look at all aspects of the situation, including how many sunshine hours you have available on average and how the location and orientation of a building can affect its ability to harness solar or wind energy.”

Nine students attended the inaugural course, some of whom will utilise their skills in further training in construction and electrical industries. Two students are also working on marae-based energy projects, which highlight both the resources Māori have available and the advantages which can be gained from energyefficient buildings.

Joel Dunn and Tahae Tait practice installing solar panels.

wwaaiiaarriikkii ttooddaayy

| PPAAGGEE 33

New school and reinvigorated campus create a great future

Student designs an attractive future Elizabeth (Liz) Tereroa is a living example that you can have your cake and eat it too. After completing school Ms Tereroa went on to work full time in a fast food restaurant where she worked her way up to become a store manager.

However, she had a passion for design within her that was bursting to come out.

Staff profile

While attending an “Info Day” event at Waiariki, Ms Tereroa discovered that elements of both architecture and design were taught in the Certificate in Interior Design. This, she thought, would give her the perfect platform on which to start her education. “I always wanted to study architecture but I didn’t know how to get started,” she says.

John Kelly Academic Advisor and Head of Department, School of Forestry and Primary Industries

After taking the plunge and resigning from her job Ms Tereroa became a full-time student. Having a young child to care for, as well, created more challenges on top of the pressure of study and assignments. However, Ms Tereroa loves a challenge and in her own laid back manner earned great marks in her courses. But she still wasn’t satisfied.

When John Kelly finished school in Featherston with no qualifications, the prospect that 30 years later he would be studying for a Master of Professional Studies (Lincoln University) would have seemed “pretty unlikely”.

“I started work at a sawmill down the road and trained as a timber machinist. I did all my block courses at Waipa, so I’m very much a product of Waiariki. I’d suggest that that’s a very good thing,” he says.

“The biggest advantage the forestry industry has is that it offers so many opportunities to grow into. I’ve been able to get a trade and then continue growing into new roles and gain new skills along the way.”

Mr Kelly worked at Davis Sawmilling Ltd in Featherston and Juken New Zealand Ltd sawmill in Masterton before moving to Rotorua and a job at the Lockwood Manufacturing Plant in 1997. Two years later he joined Waiariki and says he enjoys contributing to the industry he grew up in by training the foresters, timber machinists and bio-technicians of tomorrow.

“It was a reasonably easy transition moving into the educator’s role. Over the past three years, I’ve taken on far more academic responsibilities. It’s a challenging but rewarding role. The goalposts keep moving with new governments and new thinking and we always have to ensure our courses stay relevant to the industry’s needs.”

His major challenge for 2011 will be taking on the project manager’s responsibilities for the major development to rejuvenate and expand Waiariki’s Waipa campus.

“My master’s degree studies have included project management so it is very opportune in that respect,” Mr Kelly says. “This is a great opportunity to restore Waipa to what it was when I was a student and I know that by the end of September we’ll have a campus that is looking and working fantastically well.”

Mr Kelly and his partner each have two children. John’s son Brett works for Tyre General in Rotorua, while daughter Morgan is a young mum. “Which makes me a grandfather,” he concedes a little ruefully.

“This is a great place to live. After I finish work, I like to go for a run or mountain bike ride. We’re really lucky at Waipa to have a choice of great tracks right on our doorstep.

It’s a fantastic way to end the day.”

PA G E 4

|

waiariki today

Painted outlines illustrate where the new Waipa wood testing building will be located on Waipa campus in Rotorua.

The integration of Waiariki’s forestry, agriculture and horticulture qualifications within a new School of Forestry and Primary Industries is set to bring major advances for students, staff and industry stakeholders.

“It’s a really exciting development, which will have major benefits,” says Jeremy Christmas, Director, School of Forestry and Primary Industries. “Perhaps the key feature though is that it gives us the opportunity to move all of our teaching and administration facilities, which had become quite space-limited, to the Waipa campus as part of a project which will reinvigorate what is undoubtedly Waiariki’s most underutilised asset.”

The $2.5 million Waipa project is being substantially funded by FIDA (Forest Industry Development Agenda) and is scheduled to be completed in September to coincide with both the international Forestry Expo and Rotorua’s 2011 Rugby World Cup celebrations. The Minister of Forestry, Hon. David Carter, is expected to open the expanded facility.

“Bringing all of our courses together on one site will provide many synergies,” Mr Christmas continues. “Many courses have elements in common, like chainsaw use, for example, and it makes sense to deliver that learning in one purpose-built location.

“The school continues to grow, both in student numbers and in its contribution to Waiariki’s success as a tertiary education institution. The Waipa campus gives us room to expand and create the facilities we need to deliver learning excellence.”

He adds that Waipa will be a “sustainability exemplar” with all organic waste processed via worm farms to provide fertiliser for the school’s gardens and herb farm, which will in turn supply produce for Waiariki’s culinary courses.

John Kelly, Academic Advisor for the school and Head of Department Wood Processing, says the Waipa site was established “by industry, for industry” in 1965 as a national centre for excellence for forestry training, with a focus on wood manufacturing.

“The aim was to produce well-trained saw doctors and timber machinists who would help

to maximise the value of our national forest resource,” he recalls. “Today, we are reviving that focus by creating a world-class campus that will deliver teaching and learning excellence and provide our students with a wider, well-rounded educational experience.”

Among the main features of the project are: • The integration of the existing Waiariki sawmill with the adjacent wood manufacturing plant; • Installation of a high-tech gasification plant to provide the energy required for timber drying; • Creation of a timber construction and manufacturing laboratory for testing glue bonds, timber strength and suitability properties, and more; • Upgrading teaching facilities to accommodate the courses moving from Waiariki’s main Rotorua campus; • Construction of a tunnel-house and vegetable gardens; • Upgrading of the saw doctoring workshops; and

Having completed her interior design qualification, Ms Tereroa then set her sights on studying landscape design. Transferring her designs from inside to outside came easily and now allows Ms Tereroa a ‘whole-ofhouse’ view when completing design work for assessments and customers.

Completing the Certificate in Horticulture has expanded Ms Tereroa’s opportunities as well as her knowledge. She has learned about topics as diverse as botany, soils, and growing plants in tissue culture, through to plant identification.

Interacting with her classmates and lecturers has also facilitated her learning, she says.

“The students get along really well with each other and with the tutors, too,” she says. “And the students learn off each other as well.”

In the near future she has plans to study landscape design at Unitec and then move on to earn the Diploma in Architecture. One day, when Ms Tereroa is ready to move on from study, she hopes to become a landscape designer and architect to the stars.

• Implementation of the long-term site redevelopment plan, which will create more logical and safer entry to the site. This will allow for smarter movement of product between departments and create an accessible model of a complete wood processing operation for educational purposes.

Mr Kelly says the Norwegian-supplied gasification plant will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. “It will utilise all of the sawmill waste to produce syngas [synthetic gas] for our timber drying kiln, which is a major advance in terms of our energy sustainability.

“It’s certainly going to be a busy and important year for the school. When the project is completed, we will have a training facility which can give our industry stakeholders the quality graduates they will need for their future development,” he concludes. “So while it’s important to get the bricks and mortar right, it’s our stakeholders that will make the project a success by sending their people here for training because they know we are providing quality education they can depend on.”

A love of beautifying things has sparked Liz Tereroa’s plans to combine her horticulture and interior design certificates from Waiariki with future landscape design and architecture qualifications to create a very interesting and varied career.

w w w. w a i a r i k i . a c . n z

Forestry certificate offers life-changing opportunities Offering valuable qualifications to outlaying areas of the region means Waiariki can provide opportunities to students who otherwise might not have the chance to earn higher education.

Ratana Nuku, from the Owhakatoro Valley beyond Ruatoki, is determined to turn his life around – and he’s counting on a forestry qualification from Waiariki to help him.

The 22-year-old from the remote Tuhoe settlement is enrolled in the16-week Certificate in Forest Operations based in Ruatoki. Using an iwi-centred approach, the Level 3 preemployment qualification gives students a solid foundation of practical forestry knowledge and skills, preparing them for work in a harvesting gang or to study for higher qualifications. The qualification is also taught from other rural centres including Opotiki, Te Kaha, Kawerau and Murupara.

Mr Nuku says he has little to show for the years since he left school at 15. “I had nothing much to do – shoeing horses, trying to keep busy – but I had nothing to look forward to. So I decided to sign up.

“I was born and bred in the bush, and I know it like the back of my hand. The logging site’s in our backyard so it makes sense for me to do this course. I see it as a gate opener. I’ll be able to say, ‘I have this paper, give me a job and I’ll work my way up the ranks.’ That paper can take you a long way.”

Waiariki student Steven Gray makes a wave cut on a log during a chainsaw skills relay race at the Waipa campus.

their lives in other ways. They’re good role models. Word’s got ’round – and now it’s easy to fill these courses.”

Many of Mr Tiopira’s students have been snapped up by forestry contractors. Others have gone on to use their new skills in other fields, such as horticulture, where chainsaw skills are in demand.

Forestry has ceased to be a male domain and it’s no longer surprising to see women making logs.

Pania Taipeti is slim, pretty, and as keen as any of the male students to put her back into the job.

“I’ve got no worries about the physical work, being strong enough, or using a chainsaw. I know how to work hard,” she says.

The 17-year-old from Ruatoki, who left school at 15, followed her brother’s example. “He was 15 when he started in forestry. Now he’s planting and pruning, earning $1,400-$1,600 a fortnight. He loves it.”

Students travel to Waiariki’s Whakatane campus to learn theory for the first six weeks before spending the next 10 weeks with contractors in the bush. There, students are taught how to use and maintain chainsaws, cut and trim on a skid site and process stems into logs, and all other aspects of forestry operations.

Tutor Bill Tiopira, a forestry veteran of 26 years, says a couple of years ago it was difficult to fill the classroom. Five intakes later, it’s a different story.

Many students need not only workplace learning, but life skills too. Mr Tiopira says some just need “a nudge” to break the cycles they have established, and the certificate provides the structure and positive learning experiences, and teaches the work ethics to do just that.

“Young people in this valley have seen their peers succeed. Nearly half those from previous intakes are employed in forestry or have changed

“The kids have come a long way in 16 weeks.

This course changes lives, opens the door to a different lifestyle.”

Keeping it green: Waiariki’s future farmers are in demand Hands-on learning has proved a winner for Eastern Bay of Plenty agriculture students – and also for local farmers.

The 32-week Certificate in Agriculture and Farm Maintenance was delivered for the first time in 2010 at Waiariki’s Whakatane campus. The qualification gave students experience in real-life situations on working farms for two days a week, and this practical training resulted not only in high levels of confidence and competence among talented students, but was also a boon for the local farmers.

When Tama Murray took the reigns as field skills tutor early last year, he didn’t hesitate to call in a few favours. Having managed Bruce and Tessa Calder’s Pikowai Farms in Whakatane for 10 years, he had solid connections within the farming community. Not only did this connection come in handy, but the students were privileged to work on a farm that won triple awards in the 2009 Ballance Farm Environment Awards which promotes sustainable, profitable farming. The Calders credited Mr Murray for much of that success and recognition.

“A lot of farmers are close friends; they jumped on board,” Mr Murray says. “It was no problem going onto their farms to give students firsthand experience in skills like fencing, milking, crutching, docking and shearing.”

One or two farmers were nervous about allowing strangers near valuable stock and equipment.

“It’s understandable,” Mr Murray says. “You’re

0800 924 274

looking at $100,000 for a tractor, $1,500 for a motorbike, expensive Hiluxes. But they were open-minded and generous. Many gave full access to their workshops and machinery.

“It was a great opportunity to get more experience – and to get paid for it. You can earn $18 an hour haymaking,” Mr Murray says.

Lecturer Nick Edmonds travels from Rotorua twice a week to teach theory and says the flexible approach to delivery has benefited students greatly.

Student profile Hayden Yates Diploma in Forest Management It’s a fair step from Invercargill to Rotorua, but for Waiariki’s Diploma in Forest Management student Hayden Yates, it’s just a step toward a new career.

“I’ve lived in Invercargill most of my life and before coming to Waiariki in 2010, I worked at Interpine for 14 months as a crew assistant and then crew boss,” he says.

Interpine is a forest consulting and data management company specialising in information technology and optimal decision making across the forest industry.

“It was time to make some career decisions,” Mr Yates says. “My goal was to seek a management role in forest planning and future harvest planning, so I researched training options on the internet and that led me straight to Waiariki.”

Highlights of the first year of his twoyear, Level 6 diploma included learning the basics of forest management and exploring subjects like climate, topography, GIS and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), PlotSafe forest inventory recording, and GeoMaster.

This year he looks forward to undertaking his major research project which may involve work on LiDAR applications. Before that though, he enjoyed a 21-day stint at Outward Bound’s Marlborough Sounds centre early this year, assisted by sponsorship from Waiariki and the Outward Bound Trust.

“We were working for free, although many farmers wanted to pay. But it was about getting experience for the students.”

Several students made such an impression they were invited back for paid, live-in work experience as relief milkers or general farmhands. Some also walked into summer jobs to finish docking late lambs and hoggets, crutching, shearing and haymaking.

Hayden Yates (back row, far left) with fellow Outward Bound participants.

Grant Colbert, Head of Department for agriculture, horticulture and biotechnology at Waiariki, scores Wynyard Lord on his ATV handling at the competitive Agriculture Skills Day for Waiariki students.

need literacy and numeracy support.”

Both tutors are proud of their students’ achievements especially at Whakatane’s multiple successes at the end-of-year Agriculture Skills “We aim to give them the knowledge they need and as wide a skills-base as possible. Chainsawing, Day for Rotorua, Tokoroa and Whakatane students. plumbing, building, welding – they need to be able to deal with anything thrown their way.”

“A lot of students have overcome a lot to get here,” says Mr Edmonds. “Jason [Ruff ], for Mr Edmonds also works to ensure delivery suits instance, has held down part-time work and had different learning styles. “For some, the words 4am milking starts and still turned up for course.

‘Institute of Technology’ instantly put up barriers.

And the only time one Ruatoki student missed A lot of people aren’t comfortable in a classroom the course is when the road flooded and he and some students can’t read and write. But there drowned his truck trying to get here. shouldn’t be a stigma around that, and there’s not in any of these classes. We work with those issues, “And they’re employable now. They’ve got a skill using group activities and a team approach – and set that makes them more employable than most people on the street.” there is a lot of help at Waiariki for those who

“I’d spoken to a few people who had been to Outward Bound and they highly recommended it. I decided this was a good time to push myself and extend my boundaries,” he says. “It was hard, but an absolutely fantastic experience – one of the best things I’ve ever done. It has given me a lot of confidence in my ability to meet and overcome challenges.”

The young Southerner is a keen outdoorsman and enjoys other challenges such as hunting and salt water fishing.

He played representative hockey for Southland up until the time he left school, but hopes to be involved in hockey again in the future by coaching younger players and helping them develop their skills.

For now though, it’s full speed ahead with coursework. Mr Yates says he would also love to pick up forest management work experience this year with any forestry companies operating in the central North Island. And after he graduates he’ll be seeking a forest management job in New Zealand (preferably) or Australia.

waiariki today

|

PA G E 5

Waiariki’s got talent: Young musicians aim for fame through new music academy At least 36 gifted musicians and singers are set to begin their journey to musical success through the new Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music launched on February 10 this year.

I tēnei wā, ka tokoiti kei te pupuri i te mauri o Te Reo Māori. Katoa ngā āhuatanga o te Ao Māori, mā te reo rawa e tāea ai, ahakoa haka, ahakoa waiata, ahakoa whaikōrero, ahakoa karanga, ahakoa he aha e mōhiotia ai tātau he Māori me reo rā anō, nā rēira he aha kē tā te Ao Māori e whakatēnetēne nei? E kore noa iho nei e aro mai?

Nā, ahakoa te ūaua o te whakatūtuki e hiahia tonu ana te Ao Māori ki ōna Marae, ki āna tikanga, ēngari ko te tāhū o aua mahi katoa, ko te Reo Māori, kāore i whāia kia eke. Ka pēhea kē tētahi, ki te kore tētahi?

Kōtahi noa iho te tāonga o te Ao nei e rerekē ake ai te Iwi Māori i ētahi atu Iwi katoa o te Ao, arā, Ko Te Reo Māori.

At the present moment the essentials of the Māori language are being retained by the few. All the rites of passage of the Māori world need the language whether it is haka, song, oratory, the traditional calls of welcome or whatever it is that distinguishes Māori as a people. Māori therefore need the language, so why is the Māori world playing the reluctant debutante? Why does it not care?

Now, despite the inherent difficulty in acquiring the language, the Māori still wish to retain their Marae, their customs, but pivotal to all of that is the Māori language, which is not being pursued with any fervour. So what will one do without the other?

There is only one thing of note in this world that distinguishes the Māori people from other peoples throughout the world, and that is the Māori language.

Nāku noa, Nā Ken Kennedy Kaumātua Te Arawa / Te Whare Takiūra o Waiāriki

Tangatarua Marae, Mokoia Campus, Waiariki

“We’ve got some amazing talent joining us and I’m really excited about this,” says Ngapera Riley, Manager of the academy. “There are musicians coming who have already recorded and there are some that just need a push in the right direction to get there. We’ll work on things like that at the academy, providing the guidance they need, and hopefully produce some future stars.”

The academy will operate similarly to the Waiariki Academy of Sport, wherein academy scholars will study toward a qualification of their choice at Waiariki and access various levels of support and opportunities, depending on the level of scholarship they have received.

Platinum Scholarship students will receive fees-free tuition, access to music workshops and individual tuition in the music area of students’ choice. Gold Scholarship students will have access to music workshops and musical tuition, and Silver Scholarships will be used to help nurture talented youth who are still in intermediate or high school.

“We will put together a customised plan to help these students succeed in their education and their music,” says Ms Riley.

“Some of our scholars have children, some are working, some are already really advanced, so it just depends on their level of talent.

“Musical mentoring, performance opportunities, and workshops will provide a comprehensive base of musical and performance knowledge to help launch their music career.

“We already have the events schedule planned for the year beginning with the academy launch. Performing is a big component – we have a very musically talented group but it’s just as important getting them used to the stage and developing their stage presence.”

Ngapera Riley is the Manager of the new Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music.

Ms Riley, who is Te Arawa, Te Ure o Uenukukopako, and Ngati Rorooterangi, is well prepared for managing the academy as she comes from a musical background spanning all three decades of her young life. Her father, Steve Riley, is a well known musician locally.

She returned in 2009 and has performed with award-winning Deliciously Inspired Vocal Artists (aka D.I.V.A.), a New Zealand-based female trio. Now that she’s running the academy, she’s had to give up her spot under the bright lights, but she looks forward to this new stage in her career.

“We were dragged around to gigs, and lived with various ‘musos’ traipsing through the house, and band practices in the garage. Dad often used music to help others by loaning out drums and stuff. I was far too lazy to learn an instrument, despite my dad’s urging, so I just relied on my voice. I really like being a part of something else.”

“I had my fun, had a very successful career and as I was getting a little older I thought about what was really important to me, and that is family. I’m 31 years old. Being able to contribute back to a community that gave me so much is what I want to focus on now,” she says.

Ms Riley got her musical start at a young age by singing in church.

She joined kapa haka groups at school and was always involved in some sort of group, she says. Then, in her early 20s, the Rotorua native took her talents overseas where she spent 10 years performing and working for international government agencies and the entertainment industry in New York City and Los Angeles.

Ms Riley was charged with finding and selecting the academy scholars. “The auditions were amazing,” she says. “They just blew me away and I had such a hard time choosing just 30 students. I’m really excited about this year, it’s going to be a lot of fun and really great to support our talented youth. Nobody else offers this kind of programme, it’s going to be great!”

Waiariki aims to share Maori student support programme with other institutes Waiariki believes it has found a great way to help increase student success and hopes to share the support programme with other institutes.

the departure of those who are struggling, who fear they’ll become unsuccessful, are stressed due to personal circumstances, or don’t know where to turn for help.

any one team has all the answers to the vast array of challenges students may present, but that we all need to work together on this common goal,” she says.

With funding changes and cutbacks, tertiary education institutes in New Zealand are under increasing pressure from government to improve the success rates of their students.

Waiariki is no exception, so in 2009 the institute used funding from Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) earmarked to focus on improving the retention, success and progression rates of Māori students in particular.

This is where Manaakitanga comes in – to help students do well in their studies, to stay committed to their educational goals, or face the challenges that studying (and life) can present throughout their journey at Waiariki.

“As well as being responsive to students’ unique needs, the additional resourcing Waiariki received means we have also had the ability to be more proactive and focus on strategies designed to support success and a sense of engagement on campus, hopefully long before leaving or giving up become options.

A pilot programme called Manaakitanga was created to provide a new support service for domestic students. ‘Manaakitanga’ is a Māori concept that can be defined as “caring and support.”

Two of the key factors that relate to student success are retention and completion, but another factor, often overlooked, is students’ overall experience while studying.

Students may discontinue their studies for a variety of reasons, some of which are unavoidable, but it may be possible to prevent

PA G E 6

|

waiariki today

This year Waiariki enters the third year of the pilot while concurrently capturing the strategies and developing a model that will eventually be shared with contemporaries nationwide.

“Manaakitanga works alongside the traditional student support providers at Waiariki such as the Library Learning Centre, whanau groups and health and counselling services, as well as teaching and administrative staff and the Students’ Association – all of whom already do a fantastic job and often go the extra mile to assist students to achieve their goals,” says Leonie Nicholls, Manaakitanga Coordinator.

“We would be the first to acknowledge that no one person or

“A lot of what we do is not revolutionary or often overly glamorous. Simply being a listening ear, being able to guide a student to the appropriate person or place, or being another friendly face on campus who occasionally asks, ‘How’s it going?’

These can easily be overlooked as small things but we believe they can make a real difference to student success and create a positive environment.

“Students should feel like everyone at Waiariki supports their success because ultimately it is a success in which everyone in the institute and the community share.”

w w w. w a i a r i k i . a c . n z

New director aims to enhance learning experiences Very much looking forward to the Kiwi lifestyle, Waiariki’s newest staff member, Justine Crozier, is fresh from her native Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England.

Ms Crozier has accepted the role of Director, School of Computing, Technology and Communications, a position for which she is well qualified, with years of experience in the education and training sectors which revolved around information technology (IT) and creative ways of using technology to enhance teaching and learning. “My iPad is my latest favourite item of new technology. It is one piece of technology that travels everywhere with me!”

The berries of the Mahoe start developing in summer and turn to an attractive dark blue.

Gardening Tips

by Grant Colbert, Head of Department for agriculture, horticulture and biotechnology at Waiariki

“This role encompasses a blend of all my previous areas of expertise,” she says, “so I’m really keen to utilise those skills in a new educational environment and in a new country.

With my previous role, I used IT as a tool for enhancing learning in the creative industries: TV/video, 3D design, games based learning, art and fashion. Technology lends itself to using IT to offer unique learning experiences using the latest hardware and software technologies.

These are key areas of development which are particularly exciting and I aim to use my skills to enhance the learning experience at Waiariki.”

I was looking at the Whiteywood (Mahoe) in my garden recently and thought what an underrated small tree this is. If you don’t know the Mahoe, that’s ok – it is not on the top of everyone’s list. But when you consider it is easy to grow, can handle some wind, the leaves ‘skeletonise’ once they drop off, and the little blue berries are attractive maybe it may move up the list. Interestingly, Mahoe was used to make the charcoal for gunpowder a few years back. My Mahoe acts as a great shade tree and the birds love it too.

Ms Crozier’s most recent position was as Director of the City Learning Centre in Newcastle, an IT centre which catered for creating innovative uses of IT for educational institutes within the City of Newcastle. The centre worked with a range of primary and secondary schools, colleges and adult learners, offering students access to a state-of-theart learning facility with the goal of raising achievement through the use of IT. While Waiariki gears up for the start of Semester 1 and a challenging year for the institute, Ms Crozier has hit the ground running. She has a large school to operate which houses three degree programmes: Bachelor of Computing, Communications and Technology, Bachelor of Arts (a pathway programme to University of Canterbury) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (a pathway programme to Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design). Courses and additional qualifications in computing and IT, communications, journalism, creative writing, and creative areas such as arts, digital photography, carving, interior design and fashion technology are also offered through this school.

“I welcome the challenges ahead and I am positive this will be an exciting year. I will utilise my strengths to move the School of

Waiariki’s newest Director, Justine Crozier, with her mother Pauline (left) and daughters Carmen (left) and Freya.

Computing, Technology and Communications forward for the future and develop students at Waiariki into 21st century learners. There are many opportunities to develop new and innovative areas of future working building on strong links currently in place and engaging new partners to embark on new projects.”

Ms Crozier also looks forward to joining Waiariki’s recreation centre, adding some gym time to her running regime. She says she and her girls, 6-year-old Carmen and 2-year-old Freya, look forward to lots of time outdoors, trips to the beach, camping and other ways to embrace the Kiwi lifestyle and make it their own. “I really enjoy horse riding and I am

looking forward to exploring the countryside on horseback! I also want to learn about the Māori culture, traditions, and possibly the language, and I think it’s nice for the children, too, to have that experience and bicultural opportunities at school.

“I’m really loving coming to the New Zealand summer after months of snow and freezing temperatures,” she said during her welcome pohiri. England’s tough winter is, in fact, the reason her partner Brent has not arrived yet. Luckily her mum, Pauline, was able to accompany her and the girls, albeit temporarily, while they settle into their new life Down Under.

Links to Scion strengthen student learning Waiariki’s links with the world-renowned Scion, New Zealand’s premier forestry research institute, are continuing to strengthen, with a number of exciting projects planned.

Scion is a Government-owned organisation charged with increasing the volume and profitability of New Zealand’s forests; optimising the value of marginal land; accelerating the development of bio-products from renewable resources; and maximising the quality and impact of forestry research.

Professor Cris Brack, Director of Research and

0800 924 274

Chair of Forestry at Waiariki, says that in the past there was a very strong relationship with Scion but over the years it had “largely fallen away”.

“Part of my mandate is to strengthen those links and that’s now happening on a number of levels,” he says. “One of Scion’s strengths is their work on turning wood into other useful products and that’s of great interest to our biotechnology staff and students.”

Among the initiatives planned or underway is measuring the carbon in forests, and a project to produce high quality digital photography of forests

using an automated plane. The images taken will be analysed to produce a forest inventory down to a tree-by-tree level. Laser technology is also being used to provide information on our forests and the land below them.

Professor Brack says Scion regularly uses Waiariki’s high-tech forestry school facilities for workshops and seminars and the major redevelopment of the Waipa campus will create further opportunities for collaboration, including more interaction between Scion researchers and our students via lectures and research projects.

Some other thoughts for the garden for February through early April: Now is a good time to do some work on your lawn. The days are not so hot and putting in a new lawn or tidying up your current lawn will be a good option. Make sure you prepare the site well. Get rid of weeds, rocks and create a reasonably fine surface. Raking and more raking is often the way to go. Remember with a lawn to buy decent seed and sow it evenly. I lightly rake the area after sowing. Keep the area moist or you will be wasting your time.

Now is a good time to get those, dare I say, winter crops underway. Sow your cabbage, cauli, silverbeet, beetroot, radish, parsnips, even carrots. The soil is warm and the seedlings can get some growth on before cool days arrive.

I’ve been thinking how good green crops are. Consider putting in a green crop over winter, like lupin, to add nutrients and organic mater to the soil while protecting it from weeds. Just make sure you dig it in before it sets seed or it may become a weed crop rather than a green crop.

Of course, don’t forget your bulbs. Now is the time for bulb planting to get underway.

One of my favourites is the Ranunculus.

Strictly speaking, it’s not a bulb but really a corm that is kind of claw shaped. When planting these make sure the claw is facing downward. To get decent Ranunculus I make sure I add compost and blood and bone to the soil before planting as they like fertile but well drained soil.

One last thought: enjoy your or anyone else’s garden. Now is a great time of the year to harvest, plan and sit a while and think in the garden – maybe another Mahoe.

waiariki today

|

PA G E 7

New Academic Manager sets his sights on the future Gordon Acres has a long and varied history with Waiariki – 15 years and six positions – and has experienced an increase in responsibility each step of the way.

The year introduces yet another new role for Mr Acres, having successfully been appointed to Academic Manager at the institute. He will use this experience and knowledge of Waiariki to carry out his new responsibilities, he says.

“I believe that my internal appointment has allowed me to enter the role with an excellent background.”

Grape juice jelly with almond meringue mousse Recipe by Anna Wall, student of the Certificate in Professional Cookery and Patisserie Make the jelly base Medium sized bunch of green grapes • Green food colouring Sun Country grape juice • Almond flakes • Gelatine Bloom the gelatine by sprinkling the powder into grape juice and letting it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.

While the gelatine blooms, rapidly boil 12 grapes in 1/2 cup of grape juice and then squish the grapes slightly with potato masher. Sieve the mixture to remove any pips and skin, leaving just the flavoured juice. This creates a concentrated grape flavouring.

Bring to the boil 3/4 cup grape juice, 1/2 cup water and 3 Tbsp of the above concentrate. Add 12g of the bloomed gelatine to this mixture; allow to cool.

Reserving about 1/2 cup of the gelatine for later, add desired amount of food colouring to the remainder; set aside.

Cut a handful of grapes into quarters and gently place some in the bottom of the jelly glasses. Arrange glasses on a tray propped up on a rolled up towel to allow for the jelly to set at an angle. Gently pour jelly into glasses and place in the fridge to set.

Toast about 75 grams of almond flakes to use in the meringue and as a garnish.

While the hint of a foreign accent still remains, Mr Acres came to Rotorua from South Africa in 1996 with his wife and four children.

After a 14-year career in the forestry sector, he wanted to move from a forest management and operations position into teaching. He felt that Waiariki, with its renowned forestry training curriculum and proximity to the Central North Island’s forests, was a prime choice.

Beginning as a lecturer of the National Diploma in Forestry, he moved up through positions as head of the forestry school, dean of faculty at the school, and academic development coordinator for the forestry programme. While holding this last position Mr Acres completed his Master of Business Administration, with distinction, and was asked by the then chief executive Dr Neville Withers to establish the new Business Development Unit for Waiariki with colleague Dr Chris Asby. Mr Acres also holds an Executive Honours (Business & Administration), Bachelor of Science Forestry, and Postgraduate Diploma in Business Research.

It was during this time, in 2006, that Mr Acres and Dr Asby developed an overall three-year investment plan. Not only was this Waiariki’s first investment plan, but it was so wellsupported by government that Waiariki was the only institute in New Zealand which was allowed an annual 10% increase in investment by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) over each of those three years.

In 2008, Project Managers Mr Acres and Dr Asby were asked to create a new long-term strategic plan for the institute for 2009 through 2013. Projects in this plan included securing a $1 million investment from Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust to build the Waiariki Community Recreation Centre in 2010, and the proposed development of the Taupo campus. Most recently, the second investment plan development with the project team was facilitated for 2011-2013.

From left, Gordon with his family: Anthony, Judith, Mary-Beth, Matthew and Steven.

“As Academic Manager, responsible for retaining Waiariki’s accreditation and the quality of our courses, we have an opportunity to make a step-change difference, by working with and supporting the staff in the five schools and wānanga.

“The challenge of improving Waiariki’s Education Performance Indicators (EPI), and filling a key role in managing the change during the next three years, were my primary motivations for seeking this role. Having been involved at institute-level strategic planning, being involved intimately in the funding of the institute short and long term, and having a seven-year direct involvement in academic tutoring and management, places me in a unique position to perform the role as Waiariki Academic Manager.

“We have to improve the quality of our courses, and respond to the students’ and the community’s needs, to have the students succeed and make a real difference through their improved skills and academic achievements.”

As at work, in his personal life Mr Acres is committed to improving skills and achievements, as well. He’s been an active member of Toastmasters for the past 11 years, working his way toward achieving Distinguished Toastmaster status. He has competed in two Rotorua marathons and more than 20 half marathons, and is working on establishing a ginseng crop under pine trees as a new industry.

Perhaps one of the best achievements for Mr Acres is his marriage of 30 years to wife, Judith. “I’m very proud of that, we’re so lucky,” he says. The Acres have four children: Matthew, 27, Steven, 25, Anthony, 23, and Mary-Beth, 21. They’re still patiently awaiting grandchildren.

Make the almond meringue 1 cup sugar • 2/3 cup whole almonds • 4 tsp corn flour 1/2 cup egg whites (about 4 large) • Pinch of salt Toasted almond flakes

“I believe that the next three years are going to be a real challenge from an economic point of view, and the government is going to expect a lot of Waiariki for their investment,” says Mr Acres.

Mix together 1/4 cup sugar and corn flour.

Exceptional Waiariki staff awarded by chief executive

Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form. Add remaining 3/4 cup sugar by tablespoonfuls, beating until meringue is stiff and glossy.

Fold almond mixture into meringue.

Spoon meringue onto parchment and bake meringue until pale golden and just firm to touch, about 30 minutes; allow to cool on the pan.

Make the tuile hat 100g strong flour • 100g butter • 100g icing sugar 3 egg whites • Vanilla essence Cream butter and icing sugar then add remaining ingredients and mix well. Use a circle template and mould the hot tuile over desired sized half mound to get hat shape. Allow to cool, then decorate with chocolate, feather, etc.

Make the mousse Fold gently together: 250g whipped cream flavoured with vanilla and a little icing sugar 250ml plain unsweetened De Winkel Greek Style Yoghurt Pieces of crushed meringue Remaining grape juice/gelatine mixture Spoon meringue mixture onto set jelly. Use a palette knife to ensure no air bubbles are seen around the sides. Place toasted almonds on top. Refrigerate to allow mousse to solidify.

Attach tuile hat using either melted chocolate on the edge of the glass or a shortened skewer inserted through the mousse and supported into the jelly to balance the hat.

Garnish plate with extra grapes, fanned strawberry and chocolate scrolls.

PA G E 8

|

waiariki today

Through the annual year-end presentation of Chief Executive Awards each year, five Waiariki staff members or teams are recognised for the quality, innovation and excellence they contribute.

The recipients are selected by Waiariki Chief Executive Dr Pim Borren, although three require staff to be nominated in the first instance.

Elsie Truter, Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Health Studies, was the recipient of the “Excellence in Research Award.” She coordinates the nationally recognised Certificate in Infection Control, has presented at international conferences, has had papers published in an international conference and journal, and has run seminars for nurses in the region.

“Excellence in Teaching and Learning” was awarded to Shane Bennett, Wood Manufacturing Lecturer of five years. He used technology and innovation to develop an entirely new teaching plan and has created an environment where students are fully engaged, enthused and ready to meet their full potential.

The “Outstanding Contribution and Support Award” went to Linda Neilson, Transition Manager. Her high-level role entails project management, academic mentoring and advice, and input into strategic projects, impacting the development and provision of quality education. One nominee wrote, “She’s the perfect ‘gatekeeper’ of academic excellence for Waiariki.”

Rosemary Johnson won the “Chief Executive Award for Manager of the Year.” As the Regional Development Manager of Waiariki’s Whakatane campus, she has significantly increased student numbers and gained funding from the

Shane Bennett, Linda Neilson and Rosemary Johnson were the recipients of the 2010 Chief Executive Awards. Not pictured are Paramdip Singh and Elsie Truter.

Ministry of Education for the development of the new Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy.

The “Chief Executive Award for Outstanding Contribution to Waiariki Culture” was presented to Paramdip Singh, Director Special Projects. He was recognised for significantly growing Waiariki’s Indian student enrolments and improving the understanding between New Zealand and Indian students, always encouraging an appreciation of both cultures.

Each award recipient receives $5,000 toward an area of professional development or resource, with a focus on building Waiariki’s capability.

w w w. w a i a r i k i . a c . n z

Dom-inating the courses – new coach adds drive to golf squad

Jashan Pratap Singh Bajwa, Avtar Singh Saini and Manoj Sahu received commendation from the Chief of Navy for their hospitality skills.

Waiariki Golf Squad members Ruel Padersen, Landyn Edwards, William Newman and Stanley Urlich join Director of Golf Dominic Sainsbury on the practice course.

Bright red trousers and a pink polo shirt would certainly warrant a second glance in the streets of Rotorua, but according to Dominic Sainsbury, this sort of ostentatious attire is deemed entirely acceptable on the golfing green.

and is responsible for creating their training programmes, managing their competition schedules, coaching them on topics from golf psychology, physical skills and tactics, to lifestyle management, life skills, and the ins and outs of becoming a high performance competitor.

Hospitality students with a bright future Coaching the Waiariki Academy of Sport’s increasingly successful Golf Squad, Mr Sainsbury (affectionately referred to as “Dom”) aims to drive the squad into New Zealand domination and long-term international success.

In 2009 the academy teamed with Rotorua Boys’ High School (RBHS) – already known for producing world-champion golfers – to create a golf-to-tertiary programme that would see the high schools’ top golfers receiving professional coaching which could continue throughout their enrolment at Waiariki.

Mr Sainsbury divides his time between the 13 RBHS golfers and 15 academy golfers

A full-on daily schedule and a growing number of athletes leaves no time for the coach to sit down and sip coffee. “To see the athletes achieve their goals and succeed in what they set out to accomplish makes it all worthwhile,” he says.

There’s no place he’d rather be than working with these young men and women aspiring to become the next Tiger Woods or Jiyai Shin.

With a love for the outdoors, he fills any spare time navigating the forest on a mountain bike or diving into the Kaituna River, loving the weather and active opportunities in Rotorua.

Last year compiled a number of impressive results

from the golf squad athletes: Tavita Solomona finished third in his age group at Bay of Plenty Championships; Saini Skudder and Rotana Howard were part of Bay of Plenty women’s golf team in the Interprovincial Championships; Landyn Edwards won two national tournaments (Waikato Stroke Play and the Rotorua Open) and was selected to represent the New Zealand Māori golf team in Canada.

This year is a big one for the golfers and coach, promising to be better than the last with a large number of upcoming competitions and some of the athletes heading to the UK. Having travelled to numerous countries himself, Mr Sainsbury knows first-hand the importance of international experience and playing different courses and competitions.

He hopes this year encompasses an overall development in the skills of the athletes, and domestic and regional success for one of the nation’s fastest growing golf squads.

New software to make tertiary life easy The New Year will be anything but business as usual in certain departments at Waiariki.

Waiariki’s Finance Director, who led the team evaluating available systems.

Waiariki’s Data Management Centre will be the first among tertiary institutes in the country to implement a new leading-edge student management system (SMS) supplied by Tribal, a UK-based company that has been supplying the highly regarded benchmarking service to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for the past three years.

Waiariki is the first customer for Tribal’s student systems in New Zealand. Last spring Tribal located a team in Rotorua to work directly with Waiariki to plan and manage the roll out of Tribal’s proprietary Education Business System 4 (ebs4). The system is planned to go live at mid-year.

The SMS will be used to record student data and assist with the case management of each student’s history with Waiariki, from initial enquiry to enrolment and academic performance, through to processing their awards. An SMS with this capability will allow Waiariki to manage the student lifecycle from the beginning more effectively and efficiently, saving time and resources – an important factor for the institute as student enquiries and enrolments continue to grow year by year.

“We knew that we needed to find a system that could do more than simply replicate our old system in new technology,” says Jared Dawson,

0800 924 274

ebs4 comprises a range of student management applications and additional enhanced services to address specific customer requirements. The functionally rich, Microsoft .NET application can be accessed through web browsers or client applications according to the needs of different tasks and users.

Not only will Waiariki staff benefit from the new system, but so will students, over time, who will receive better service by enabling improved access to information including the institute’s curriculum information and individual performance information. ebs4 will also enable a “shopping basket” approach allowing students to package the

Hospitality students with a bright future For most people, interacting with the ‘top brass’ of the military might be intimidating, if not downright scary. But, two Waiariki students and a former student not only overcame their nerves, but were highly praised for their performance.

Jashan Pratap Singh Bajwa, Manoj Sahu and Avtar Singh Saini were called upon to assist at a luncheon for Rear Admiral Tony Parr, Chief of Navy, and several other distinguished guests at the Rotorua RSA late last year for Trafalgar Day. Mr Bajwa and Mr Sahu were then in their final weeks of study toward the Diploma in Hospitality Management, while Mr Saini earned the same diploma a year earlier.

This type of work experience is a valuable part of a student’s education, but receiving a letter of commendation is definitely worth adding to their curriculum vitae or portfolio.

“I’ve put that letter with my other recommendations,” Mr Saini states proudly.

All three men are originally from India and are working in Rotorua’s hospitality industry.

Mr Bajwa works at Te Puia’s restaurant and café, while Mr Sahu works in the restaurant and housekeeping for The Grand Hotel.

Both young men agreed that serving the rear admiral and his guests was a great experience that they’ll remember for years to come.

courses they want to study, and with Tribal’s highly configurable program, may, in the future, allow for student self-enrolment.

Tribal is a leading provider of public sector services in the UK and internationally, with more than 2,000 staff and whose projects span more than 40 countries.

Tribal’s student system has been implemented by more than 120 customers in the UK and is used by a variety of organisations ranging from many of the country’s largest and most complex institutions to some of the smallest and most specialist.

Mr Saini, who works at Lovely India, says they tried their best to provide excellent service to the group. “They were going to have a buffet but we made it plated for the top three tables. Then when we had time we plated more food for the others.”

Colin Taylor, president, Rotorua branch of the Royal New Zealand Navy, commented that the students’ “exceptional high standard of presentation, together with [their] personal friendliness, helped to make our day special for everyone.”

waiariki today

|

PA G E 9

News Snippets

16 or 17? Youth Guarantee means you’re fees free in 2011 Waiariki is still looking for as many as 75 young people who wish to study full time in 2011 free of fees.

Through the government-funded programme, Youth Guarantee, Waiariki is allowed to accept up to 60 EFTS (equivalent fulltime students), or around 75 students, who can then study for one year at the government’s expense. That’s right, the government is footing the bill!

The programme is part of a multi-faceted plan to increase the education of our youth by encouraging a school-to-tertiary transition that leads to successful outcomes, a more skilled labour force who earn higher wages and in turn create wealthier communities throughout New Zealand. This proactive stance is something Waiariki has been lobbying for many years to see this approach become national policy.

The fun during last year's O Week included a nohands pizza-eating contest.

Welcome to Waiariki Institute of Technology!

Whether you’re a new or continuing student, we hope you’ll enjoy and grow during your time with us. We hope you’ll take advantage of all that Waiariki has to offer: excellent tuition, knowledgeable lecturers, the library and computer labs, recreation centre, free learner support, nursing, counselling, and more.

If you haven’t gotten your student ID yet, see your school administrator as soon as possible. You will need your ID for photocopying, printing and more. Plus, Rotorua students can use their ID for free rides on the local CityRide bus routes throughout town.

Everyone who drives to Mokoia Campus is required to display a 2011 parking permit sticker in the front wind screen of your vehicle. Pick one up from your school administrator (student ID required).

Student orientation “O Week” takes place the week of February 14. Check out the food and fun (Hint: check out the photo above!) hosted by WITSA in the commons area outside of the Mokoia Campus café.

Waiariki welcomes Justine Crozier as the new Director, School of Computing, Technology and Communications. Read more about Ms Crozier and her plans for the school on page 3.

Students and staff at Waiariki’s Mokoia and Waipa campuses have been anticipating the construction of new buildings at each location as part of a $5 million investment project, with both buildings scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Stay tuned for progress updates!

The Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music was officially launched on February 10, opening the year with 30 scholarship students. Read more about the academy on page 6 of this newsletter.

Remember, if you need assistance with your studies, professional counselling or are feeling ill and need medical attention, there is someone on campus to help!

Learner Support, Manaakitanga, the Health Centre and others are available. See your school administrator if you are unsure of where to go or who to see.

Important Waiariki dates: Semester 1 commences Monday, February 14 and ends June 17, with a midterm break April 18-29.

Youth Guarantee is fairly straight forward: it targets youth aged 16 and 17 who left school early, or are in the process of leaving school for any number of reasons and wish to move into tertiary study.

Youth Guarantee students will receive extra learning support while at Waiariki to improve their language, literacy and numeracy, ensuring their success and an increased level of learning. Through this highly supportive environment, Youth Guarantee is their safety net, a year of free fees, and a way to get back on track to becoming productive workers and members of our community.

Assessment at the beginning of the semester will help determine the best entry point for students, creating a learning environment which is challenging yet obtainable. Generally, these students will seek a vocational pathway and enrol in qualifications at Levels 2 or 3.

You can also follow us on Twitter @WaiarikiInst

PA G E 1 0

|

waiariki today

Waiariki is keen to see these students transition easily into their tertiary studies, have a positive experience at the institute, and successfully gain training and education that will lead to a better life.

After completing either of the certificates, students can continue their studies at higher levels. Those who wish to study forestry, wood processing, or primary industries such as agriculture, horticulture, turf management, environmental sustainability, and other areas can look forward to attending classes in the upgraded facilities on the Waipa campus in Rotorua, where a $1 million construction project is scheduled for completion this year.

New facilities have been built at the Whakatane campus, housing the first Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy with its inaugural intake of students this semester. Similar developments for the FITEC Forestry and Primary Industries Trade Academy are underway for schools in Taupo and Rotorua which plan to introduce innovative qualifications such as aqua agriculture and equine (horse) agriculture.

All of this investment is for our youth, our future and our longevity. To find out if you or someone you know qualifies for a place in the Youth Guarantee programme, phone Waiariki today on 0800 924 274.

Scholarship helps adult student reach her career goals Deidre Monga says she and her classmates at Waiariki have really felt the pinch with the tough economy over the past couple of years.

“Especially when GST went up and the increase in food costs, so the last half of last year was quite tough,” says the mother of two.

To combat rising taxes and petrol costs Ms Monga has applied for and won a number of scholarships and grants since beginning full-time study toward the Bachelor of Nursing two years ago.

Now in her third and final year, the awards have helped offset the expense of daily commutes from her home in Kaingaroa Forest Village to Rotorua, plus the wear and tear on her car, she says.

Applying for scholarships is easy, she says, and highly recommends other students give it a go. “Some are advertised really well and you can go online to apply. I just applied at the start of the year and was lucky enough to get some.”

Ms Monga’s most recent award was $500 through the new Geyser Community Foundation Kaingaroa Roading scholarship which a family member found on the internet.

“It was actually an aunty that told me to apply,” Ms Monga says. “She printed the forms out and made me fill them out.

“The application was easy, there were set questions to answer.

It was one of the easiest I’ve ever filled out, very straight forward. If my 70-year old aunty can do it, anyone can!”

Ms Monga was lucky. Being the only applicant for this scholarship, all the award monies went to her.

Each year thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants go unused due to lack of applicants. Like the Kaingaroa Roading scholarship, many are available to specific groups of people based on such criteria such as where they live.

Jan Bolton of Kaingaroa Roading established the Kaingaroa Roading Fund last year and began the scholarship to assist the people who she called neighbours and friends for many years.

“I just feel that a lot of the families there can’t really afford to

Deidre Monga (centre) receives a cheque from Jan Bolton (left) and certificate from Margriet Theron, chairman of Geyser’s grants distribution committee, at a special function at Kaingaroa Primary School.

send their children away to varsity, can’t afford to give their children those opportunities, but there are a lot of children there with potential,” she says.

“If it can inspire some children to think it’s not a dead end, that they can go and do other things, that would be great. I hope it does inspire them.”

Many scholarships are offered based on what applicants plan to study, if they’re a career changer, graduate, undergraduate or school leaver. Some are for second-year tertiary students only. There are also scholarships based on iwi affiliations and for women. Most scholarships have set dates and deadlines for accepting applications, so be sure to read the application guidelines for each scholarship programme.

PLAN AHEAD: It’s never too early to search for scholarships and grants to help fund your education.

Career Services: www.careers.govt.nz Click on “Find education

Are you a Waiariki friend on Facebook? Sign on today to get all the latest info and goss happening on campus! Go to www.facebook.com/waiariki.tangata.

The Certificate in Tertiary Learning Skills (Level 2) was developed last year by Waiariki specifically to prepare students for tertiary study. As part of this one-year qualification students can also experience various areas of study by taking electives in subjects like automotive, hairdressing, computing or agriculture.

The one-semester Certificate in Tertiary Learning (Core Skills) (Level 2) is also available.

and training info” and scroll down to the “Scholarships” link.

Funding Information Service: www.fis.org.nz New Zealand’s primary source of funding information for those wanting professional development. Click on “BreakOut”.

Maori Education Trust: www.maorieducation.org.nz TeachNZ: www.teachnz.govt.nz Many more scholarships and grants can be found using Google. Free assistance is available from Waiariki staff if applicants need guidance or have any questions.

w w w. w a i a r i k i . a c . n z

Academy of Sport 2011:–Year numberthe 5 – sporting 4 – 3 – 2 – envelope 1 – Boom!

Academy of Sport Pushing (L to R): Katie O’Neill, Tyler Lock, Luuka Jones, Carl Jones, Steve Turner, Sikeli Vorenasu

ATHLETE LIFE... WAOS AFTER HOURS • Athletes lit up a few summer BBQs at the flat before heading out for their training and racing over Christmas and the New Year.

Despite the traditions of rest and relaxation, this is the ultimate time for most athletes to get in some hard training days to do well later in the year.

• Upcoming events see a busy start to the year with the New Zealand MTB Cups and National Champs in late February, Canoe Slalom Nationals and Oceania competitions in January, and for the Golf Squad, U19 stroke play and Grant Clements Memorial at Mount Maunganui.

• Golfer Landyn Edwards won the New Zealand Māori stroke play.

• 2011 sees a number of new recruits for Waiariki Academy of Sport. A big number of athletes are returning for another year of pain, pleasure and study, including three of the inaugural athletes, YEAR FIVERS: Sam Sutton (extreme kayak), Monique Avery (Xterra/MTB) and Landyn Edwards (golf ).

Sam Sutton

Andrew Newton

BAY OF PLENTY SPORTS AWARDS • WAOS had five category finalists at the 2010 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards:

Katie O’Neill challenges the best in the Tour De Vineyards.

• Sam Sutton, Extreme Kayak World Champion, won Sportsman of the Year

NELSON ROAD TOURS There was no Christmas pudding or New Year’s partying for the Waiariki Mountain Bike Squad as they headed to Nelson on Boxing Day to bust it out in the Tour de Femme and Tour de Vineyards. The girls were off first, racing five stages over three days and raking up approximately 220kms on the way. Finishing in the top 20, they showed some good form among the best New Zealand female road riders. The boys were then off to battle it out with the big names in four stages over four days. Riding over 357kms (the distance from Rotorua to Levin!) it turned out to be a great few days of training as the mountain bikers build to the upcoming National Championships in February.

0800 924 274

• Monique Avery, Xterra Junior World Champion, won Junior Sportswoman of the Year • Upcoming New Zealand Canoe Slalom Selection races and Oceanias. Australian Open mid-February • 2012 London Olympic Selection at the World Championships in September this year

Monique Avery

• Andrew Newton (above) was selected for the 12-strong New Zealand Surf Life Saving team which competed in the 2011 DHL International Surf Challenge in Mount Maunganui

waiariki today

|

PA G E 1 1

your

Interested in a career that is dynamic and constantly changing in a challenging field? Then forest management is the choice for you. Learn project management and business skills while you enjoy the great outdoors.

JourneytoSuccess

Diploma in Forest Management Level 6 Bachelor of Applied Management (Forestry Management) Level 7

L6 L5 L7 L4

Diploma in Sustainable Energy Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture Level 4

Start with the best of modern management, stir in a focus on forestry, mix in passion, drive and ambition and you have the perfect recipe for a career in the forest industry.

Flowers, fruit growing, landscaping, plant propagation, or working with native plants are all careers within horticulture – a diverse growth industry with rewarding career opportunities.

School of Forestry and Primary Industries

*

*

ENROL NOW Call 0800 924 274 or visit waiariki.ac.nz

*Conditions Apply *Conditions apply

Study at Waiariki this semester!

Semester 1 begins February 14th!

If you’re looking for study options to fit into your busy schedule,, why not study part time at Waiariki?

• • • •

Do you think about our future and the generations to come? With an interest in science and utilising our natural resources, you can help the world move toward a greener future with a qualification in sustainable energy.

More than 400 courses available Online and distance study is available for many courses Upskill or gain new skills Study toward a certificate, diploma or degree at your own pace

To request a copy of the 2011 Part-time Study Options planner, which lists many of our courses, phone 0800 924 274 or email enquiries@waiariki.ac.nz. To see the full list of what’s on offer, visit www.waiariki.ac.nz.