Kia ora koutou and mālō e laumālie 'a Hou'eiki mo e lelei 'a e Tonga kotoa pē.
This week is Tongan Language Week 2023. I do hope you found time to celebrate this with your colleagues. I know Ara | Te Pūkenga certainly did, with a great shared lunch enjoyed by many. We have more than 3,600 ākonga of Tongan heritage studying throughout our network. Their diversity and perspectives are something we value greatly. It adds to the richness, creativity and innovation of Te Pūkenga.
I’d like to congratulate kaiako who have been named as recipients of Te Whatu Kairangi – Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards this year. To receive recognition in these awards represents a pinnacle for excellence and innovative practice in supporting the success of learners. On behalf of the whole network, I acknowledge the winners Genevieve Togiaso of Ara | Te Pūkenga, Craig Goodhue from Unitec | Te Pūkenga and the group of kaimahi - also from Ara - led by Dr Grant Bennett who did such wonderful work with Awanui Group medical laboratories developing pathways for pre-analytical technicians.
Last week I shared that we will be announcing the final decisions on the new structures for Tāraia te anamata | Creating our futures in the week of 18 September. I would now like to give more details on how we will share decisions with our network.
Next week, we will send invitations for all kaimahi to attend online sessions in the week of 18 September, these will come via Ngā Taipitiopito and details will be made available on Te Whare. In these sessions kaimahi will hear from our Te Pūkenga Executive Leadership Team on the decisions, structure and next steps for recruitment, redeployment and transition.
Your regional People, Culture and Wellbeing Teams will also send personal invitations to kaimahi (staff) who received a letter as part the consultation that proposed significant change to their role. In these hui, kaimahi will learn if there is any significant change confirmed for their role and the redeployment process and support available to them. All kaimahi in scope of the change will also receive a personal letter.
As part of your consultation feedback, we clearly heard that affected kaimahi would appreciate being given more than a day’s notice for meetings so you can arrange a support person to be with you if you wish. I’d like to assure you that this has been taken onboard.
After affected kaimahi have been informed, there will be an all kaimahi hui during which ELT will go through the new structure. This will be followed by group deep-dive sessions in the days following. We will record all kaimahi hui and will make these recordings available on Te Whare to those who may not be able to attend the live session.
We had a lot of feedback on the recruitment and redeployment process and I want to let you know this feedback has been heard. We have simplified our process so it’s easy for all kaimahi to navigate, and within our selection process affected kaimahi with the appropriate skills and experience will be considered first for new opportunities.
Following on from Keri-Anne’s well-received sessions on recruitment and redeployment through consultation, we will provide a repeat of these so everyone has clarity around next steps. A recording of this session will also be available to view on Te Whare, as well as a number of Q&A sessions scheduled that you can attend.
I appreciate that this has been a period of uncertainty and I am grateful for the way you continue to support each other. I look forward to sharing the decisions and presenting our new structure to you all very soon.
In other news, the SpeakEasy programme has seen remarkable uptake, reflecting kaimahi desire for meaningful connection. Meanwhile, our Ngā Tumu Whenua-ā-Rohe | Regional Executive Directors are gearing up for the Taumauri Regional Executive Directors Challenge, set to kick off next Monday 11 September, promising an exciting range of activities and prizes! In this challenge, kaimahi will work in teams to complete tasks set by Toa, Peseta Sam, Kieran, Huia, Mark, Olivia, Darren, and Megan. Learn more and register on Taumauri.
Finally, I’d like to thank the MIT | Te Pūkenga cookery students who were selling their lovely creations when ELT met this week. It was just the delicious pick-me-up we all needed!
Kia Manawa nui, Manawa roa, Manawa ora
Peter Winder
Tumuaki | Chief Executive
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori at Te Pūkenga
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) is on next week and we’ve got some exciting ways you can get involved!
Whakahuatia te hua – mastering reo Māori pronunciation
We’ll be creating a warm and welcoming environment for all Te Pūkenga kaimahi to strengthen their pronunciation skills with five frequently used reo Māori words and phrases.
Through five 30-minute sessions during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we'll help you gain confidence in pronouncing these words correctly and effectively with a hint of flair! We'll use innovative language techniques and visual aids to show you the English phonetic sounds and real-life examples making the learning experience engaging, value-based, fear-free, and above all - FUN!
Te Pūkenga ‘Māori Language Moment’
Join us in showing our commitment to te reo Māori with Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori | Māori Language Moment. Kaimahi at Te Pūkenga are being asked to collectively participate by selecting their favourite whakatauki (proverb), kupu hou (new word), or kīwaha/kīanga (idiom). Then, use it to design a personalised digital background for your Microsoft Teams for the week.
Afterwards, capture a screenshot of yourself using the background during a virtual meeting. By doing this, you'll become part of a photo collection that we'll share in Ngā Taipitopito and with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori | Māori Language Commission, send us a screenshot here. This collection aims to showcase your support for te reo Māori.
Instructions for creating your digital background
Follow these instructions from Think Outside the Slide to learn how to create a custom background for Microsoft Teams meetings using PowerPoint.
For instructions on changing your background check out this video or these written instructions from Microsoft.
Karakia digi-poster
We’ve produced a simple and practical poster containing template phrases in te reo Māori for leading karakia (prayers). Whether printed or saved digitally, these phrases can be used to introduce and close meetings in a culturally respectful manner.
Download the poster on Te Whare
Te Pūkenga kaiako among top tertiary educators
Big congratulations to teaching kaimahi named as recipients of Te Whatu Kairangi – Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards this year.
The awards recognise sustained excellence in tertiary teaching and the difference this makes for ākonga (learners), their whānau and communities.
The winners are:
- Le Moana Mua Award – Genevieve Togiaso, Ara Institute of Canterbury | Te Pūkenga
- General Group Category Winner: Progressing Education Partnerships and Collaboration - Ara Institute of Canterbury | Te Pūkenga group led by Dr Grant Bennett
- General Category Winner: Advancing Approaches to, and the outcomes of, work-based learning – Craig Goodhue, Unitec | Te Pūkenga
“We acknowledge the success of our kaiako who have displayed outstanding leadership in their fields,” says Te Pūkenga Pourangi Mātauranga me ngā Pūnaha Ako | Deputy Chief Executive – Academic Centre and Learning Systems, Dr Megan Gibbons.
“The winners embody different aspects of what we are pursuing as Te Pūkenga; from being inspiring in the workshop to empowering learners from diverse backgrounds and partnering with industry to develop skills for a sector,” says Dr Gibbons.
Since 2007, Ako Aotearoa, an organisation committed to supporting tertiary educators enhance success for all the country’s learners, has been running the awards on behalf of the Education Minister.
Interim Advisory Committees to Te Pūkenga Council
Te Pūkenga Advisory Committees provide strategic advice to Te Pūkenga Council. The committees foster collaboration, representation, and meaningful engagement with our kaimahi, ākonga, Māori communities, and others invested in our purpose. This engagement provides advice and support in our Council's decision-making process.
The three advisory committees to Te Pūkenga Council are:
- Learner Advisory Committee
- Kaimahi Advisory Committee
- Māori Advisory Committee
Currently interim advisory committees are in place, which are:
Komiti Māori
Establishing the interim Komiti Māori marked a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting the work of Te Pūkenga Council.
Komiti Māori has brought expertise and insight about the needs and interests of ākonga Māori and their whānau, and also insights relating to hapū, iwi, Māori employers, and communities. Komiti Māori has also been a champion of holistic and culturally affirming approaches to strategic advice.
Komiti Māori has set out the purpose, scope, and structural dynamics of a new permanent Te Pūkenga Māori Advisory Committee. Work is underway to appoint 10 permanent members who will commence their roles in 2024.
Interim Kaimahi Advisory Committee (IKAC)
The interim Kaimahi Advisory Committee (IKAC) is made up of employee representatives from across the motu. IKAC advises Council on strategic matters directly impacting our kaimahi community. This committee is part of shaping the election and representation processes for the permanent Kaimahi Advisory Committee.
If you are interested in knowing more about IKAC’s work, you are welcome to attend the open portion of its upcoming hui on 20 September. Please contact governance@tepukenga.ac.nz for more details.
Interim Learner Advisory Committee (ILAC)
The interim Learner Advisory Committee champions the needs and voices of our ākonga being at the heart of all Te Pūkenga decisions. This committee plays a pivotal role in representing the diverse perspectives of our learners at the governance level. These ākonga representatives continue to be a guiding force until the permanent Learner Advisory Committee is in place following elections in 2024.
Elections will be held in 2024. Preparations are underway to elect permanent committees to provide strategic advice to the Council.
Launch of Te Pae Ora - a wellbeing hub for ākonga
Providing greater access to mental health and addiction support is a priority for Te Pūkenga under the network’s Equity and Ākonga Success Strategy.
We will be launching Te Pae Ora, an online hub dedicated to supporting ākonga wellbeing, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (18 – 24 September 2023).
The hub features videos, articles, tools and information that will guide and empower ākonga to take care of their wellness to support learning.
We know Māori, Pasifika and disabled learners experience greater inequities in mental health and wellbeing than other communities and that is why the mental health resources provided will have a particular focus for these communities.
The online hub is intended to compliment mental health support provided for ākonga through business divisions.
You can visit the hub on our website.
To learn more about the Mental Health resources available you can visit Te Whare.
Trades Academy team wins NSSCC 2023
Ākonga from Wellington Trades Academy delivered by Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga won this year’s National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge.
Eisha Scerri and Max Calvert - trained by tutor Toby Sanderson - took out top honours with their cauliflower gnocchi accompanied by flavours of blue cheese, basil and walnuts.
Their winning dishes also featured a pan-seared chicken breast, accompanied by Māori-influenced flavours such as horopito and kawakawa and braised winter vegetables.
Eight teams of secondary school students from throughout the country were given ninety minutes to create two dishes to be dissected and critiqued by a panel of top judges.
“Not only did their dishes sing professionalism, but the judges were also impressed with their technical skills in the kitchen and the way they worked seamlessly with each other,” says Craig Lucas, MIT | Te Pūkenga senior chef lecturer.
Well done also to Craig and the team at MIT’s School of Hospitality in Ōtara where the competition was held for the second year running.
The future of the sector is in good hands.
Network wins
EIT | Te Pūkenga horticulture students help restore infrastructure at cyclone hit orchard
Marius Is Delivering For Electrical Learners
Congratulations to the Winners of the Connexis Civil Training Awards 2023
First Chinese teaching group visits WITT since borders re-opened
Table of contents
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Te Pūkenga kaiako
Interim Advisory Committees
Launch of Te Pae Ora
Trades Academy team wins NSSCC
Network wins