Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to the first edition of Ngā Taipitopito for 2022. It’s nice to be back, checking in with you all and sharing updates about our mahi.
2021 was a busy year – for everyone across the network, and in Te Pūkenga. I expect 2022 will be just as busy – and we’re looking at how we can make it easier for you to keep up with the mahi we’re doing, and get involved in opportunities to contribute.
You may have heard from your local leaders about a project that will enable us to send Ngā Taipitopito, and other communications, directly to everyone in a subsidiary or business division. This involves linking up directories across the network with Te Pūkenga. Over time, we’ll be able to tailor information to you based on things like your location, your role and your department.
We’re also working to establish a network intranet – a central source of information for all of our people across the network. This isn’t intended to replace your local intranets – and I know there are some very impressive ones across the network – but to create a space for information that is relevant to all of us, and spaces where we can connect and grow as a network. We’re still a few months away from being able to share this with you, but I wanted to let you know that it’s coming.
We know everyone across the network manages high volumes of information from us, and from your business divisions and subsidiaries. Hopefully these initiatives will make it easier for you to engage with us, in ways that work for you.
Finally, I wanted to make a comment about Omicron and the changes to the way Aotearoa New Zealand responds to Covid-19. I encourage you all to have a plan for your household and to think about how you can support one another, and the learners around us. Omicron will cause some disruption to the way we do things – but we were able to adapt when Covid-19 first emerged, and we will again. Particularly if we work together.
Ngā mihi,
Stephen Town
Chief Executive
Our updates
Te Pūkenga Te Rito Outcomes Framework Released
Last year Te Pūkenga Learner Journey and Experience team finalised ‘Te Rito Outcomes Framework’, an important piece of work that brings together the ‘Ākonga at the Centre’ research conducted in 2020.
Since the launch of the reports, Te Pūkenga has received requests for a simplified framework to help the network gain a clear, single-minded view of equity efforts for priority learners.
The new diagram provides a clear view of what learners, and those that support them, have identified as critical to learner success, in one easy-to-understand reference for Te Pūkenga network.
The framework can inform actions plans and decision-making across the network. It will be of particular use when considering how best to advance equity and inclusion and support successful outcomes for learners.
The three Te Rito research reports analysed over 3,000 narratives from learners, support staff and community partners. The reports identified 74 opportunities that were thematically united then used to create a representative range of learner personas.
While the framework helps provide clarity around initiatives, it is part of an interim approach, designed to serve until a 10-year ‘Learner with their Whānau Equity Success Strategy’ is developed.
Bringing Te Pūkenga to subsidiary websites
The Digital Marketing Working Group, led by Diane Gamble, has recently started the roll out of a new feature that adds a common Te Pūkenga footer to the bottom of every subsidiary and business division website.
This exciting development continues the introduction of Te Pūkenga to our ākonga, whilst the link back to Te Pūkenga website begins to more overtly connect prospective students with learning options across the network.
Future deliverables from the working group include the introduction of common website terms of use and privacy policy, which this new footer will be well positioned to support.
Introducing Te Kawa Maiorooro
Te Pūkenga Academic Regulatory Framework will set out the principles, policies, regulations, compliance requirements, procedures and forms that apply to the learner journey, from enrolment through to graduation. The Framework is currently being developed by working groups from across the network who are developing the underpinning frameworks for Enrolment, Assessment, Recognising Learning, and Learning and Teaching. You can read more about the mahi of these working groups on our website.
Meanwhile, the Māori name Te Kawa Maiorooro has been created to reflect what we want to achieve in the regulatory space. Kawa Maiorooro is also a type of karakia performed for students to provide protection over them in a state of learning.
Kawa are the formal customs that guide protocols on the marae. Therefore, if Te Pūkenga is the marae for staff and students, then the kawa will be the framework – principles, policies, regulations - that guides all interactions.
Maiorooro refers to the outer earthworks of a fortified pā. These were erected to shelter all who dwelt within the village from harm. These earthworks give people assurance, peace of mind and certainty.
The name was created by the members of Te Pūkenga Ohu Reo Me Ngā Tikanga, which includes the honourable Professor Rangi Mātāmua (Massey University) and Mataia Keepa (senior lecturer – te reo me te mātauranga Māori, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi) who both specialise in naming and concept translation for Te Pūkenga Ohu Reo Me Ngā Tikanga.
Tēnā rā e Rangi, kōrua ko Mataia.
Share your thoughts – Aromātai Kaimahi survey opens soon
On Wednesday 2 February, all permanent and fixed term employees who joined our Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) on or before 30 October 2021 will receive an email to complete Aromātai Kaimahi – a short survey held twice a year to check in with how you’re feeling about the transition to Te Pūkenga.
This is your opportunity to let us know what’s working well and how we can improve.
If you’re wondering where your feedback goes, we identified three key focus areas after the previous survey in May 2021 that have formed key programmes of work in Wellbeing, Change Leadership and Communicating Change. Following this, we’ve now explored and reviewed wellbeing frameworks and initiatives and are in the final stages of preparing to release a network-wide programme. We’ve also developed subsidiary change leadership teams and frameworks and together with the Communication Lead forum, identified improved communication channels, formats and updates which we’re continuing to implement.
The work is ongoing and there is much to do – but importantly, the focus is guided by your contribution to this survey. Aromātai Kaimahi is confidential and anonymous, and we encourage everyone to be open and honest in their responses.
Aromātai Kaimahi will be open from Wednesday 2 February through until 5pm, Wednesday 23 February.
Collaborating on learner graduations
In mid December a Graduation Network of around 50 staff from across the network came together for an online hui to discuss all things graduations. Student management, registry and events teams from subsidaries, work based learning and TITOs shared how they manage their graduations and ceremonies.
Hui organiser, Te Pūkenga Quality and Academic Advisor Fionna Moyer said it was really valuable to hear the different approaches for regional polytechnics, industry training organisations and online learning, as well as the common challenges for all graduations.
Graduation network representatives discussed everything from their ticketing and credentials systems, data management and certificates to ceremonies, capping, parades, regalia and academic dress. Each subsidiary shared how their graduations are currently managed, what works well and what they would like to learn from each other to do better. A common theme was the desire to move from a paper based to an automated process where possible. The group split into two focus sessions on graduating student management, and graduation event management, including how the My Vaccine Pass process will be managed for learners and their guests from 2022.
The hui was an opportunity to bring everyone together to form an ongoing network to learn from each other and design common processes to gain efficiencies. A Teams channel is available for representatives to continue their discussion, connect with each other and share documents and best practice. A Graduation and Awards working group will start work in early 2022 on some guidelines which will be available by mid 2022. If you are interested in being involved in this working group, please email fionna.moyer@tepukenga.ac.nz.