Kia ora koutou,
It has been another very busy fortnight as we work together to advance opportunities for learners and build relationships with the many diverse stakeholder groups Te Pūkenga is here to serve.
This week we met a major milestone with the announcement of appointments to the People, Culture and Wellbeing team. We are about to finalise and announce appointments to the new Digital team. Next week we will announce decisions on the Finance structure. With these three major steps done we are well on track for the changes that we committed to last year. We are also well advanced with interviews to select and appoint national Ako Network Leaders and we are progressing Regional Co-Leader appointments.
I know that many of our kaimahi have understandable concerns about what happens next and a strong need for certainty. We are working hard to complete design of the new organisational structure that will deliver on Te Pūkenga vision for improved outcomes for all learners. As a team ELT has challenged itself to do whatever is possible to make the process faster. Within the next fortnight we will share with you the timeline for defining all roles and moving to a new structure for the rest of the organisation.
Completing the process of transition is complex and will take time, but I’ve been pleased to see continued strong progress on design. We have also learned some significant lessons from the three transition processes we have run and will be making changes to the way in which we approach the next phase.
I am determined that as we design and build the core academic and delivery structure for Te Pūkenga we remain absolutely focused on ākonga and how we deliver on the vision for improved outcomes for all learners.
For the last couple of months Ngā Taipitopito has included a section called Network Wins. This highlights gains made by and for learners. It also demonstrates opportunities opened up by Te Pūkenga network. They remind us why we are here. I encourage you to read them and celebrate the outstanding job our people do every day.
This week I was strongly reminded of the diverse peoples that we serve. I met with a group of Education Ministers from across the Pacific who are in Aotearoa New Zealand for the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) hosted by our Minister the Hon. Jan Tinetti.
For Te Pūkenga this was an opportunity to showcase how important Pacific people are as a learner group and the work we’re doing to better support them.
We were able to demonstrate the Secondary Tertiary School in Manukau, as well as the Bachelor of Nursing (Pacific) and our new Bachelor of Education Pasifika teacher training programme that effectively blends in school and face to face learning from day one and aims to meet the critical need for Pacific Teachers who reflect the communities of Pacific people. We also touched on the work we are doing with Te Whatu Ora to train and place more than 1,000 nurses in Tāmaki Makaurau. There wasn’t time to touch on our partnership with Microsoft, TupuToa and Te Whatu Ora to increase the number of skilled cyber security experts, or the many other great things that are underway to better serve the 25,000 Pacific learners who are learning with Te Pūkenga.
What was also exciting about this meeting was how interested the Pacific Education Ministers were to hear about the work we are doing and how transferable this is to lifting education outcomes in the Pacific region.
Some of you may also have seen the Prime Minister visited our Richmond campus in Nelson on Wednesday, seeing construction learners working on the subfloor of one house and completing cladding on another. These are the moments I keep front and centre – learners gaining the skills they and our communities need to thrive today and in the future.
Ngā mihi nui
Peter Winder
Tumuaki | Chief Executive
Organisational design and change programme update
We know certainty is top of mind for you so the organisation and change team is continuing to test timeframes and dependencies to progress workstreams as quickly as possible.
Recent high-level workshops have been held in Wellington and further design workshops for LEEA, ACLS and Ako Delivery and Tiriti Outcomes functions are planned throughout the next few weeks. The commencement of design for the Strategy and Transformation workstream is yet to be confirmed.
Design of the Communications function is underway with Ziena Jalil, the new Chief of Staff. Design of the rest of the Office of the Chief Executive will be scheduled in the future.
CFO Michelle Teirney is now finalising decisions on the Finance and Property business group following the recent consultation period, with the intention to share final decisions with kaimahi from 28 March.
The first two appointments to the new roles in the Digital senior leadership have been announced - you can find out more on the Te Whare Digital page.
You will have also received an email from Chief People Officer Keri-Anne Tane this week announcing new appointments to PCW.
We are aiming to have an all-staff Teams hui in the next few weeks so please send in your questions, comments and feedback to YourVoice@tepukenga.ac.nz.
You can find the latest information about our organisation and change on Te Whare where more content is being added all the time.
Accessing support from People, Culture and Wellbeing
The way in which you get support from People, Culture and Wellbeing will remain the same. Your first point of contact will continue to be the Advisor, Business Partner, or Manager that you reach out to for support today. In the coming weeks we will be adding more content to our PCW pages within Te Whare, so that you can learn more about our new leaders and how our teams are shaped.
Please remember that Your career journey webinars and toolkit are available to enable you to make the most of opportunities through our organisation design mahi.
Meet out leaders
Find out about Gus Gilmore Pourangi Ako | DCE Ako Delivery.
My whakapapa: Nō Kotimana ōku tipuna. I come from a long line of Scots and can trace my whakapapa on my mother’s side, the McIntosh clan back to 1400, most of whom come from Aberdeen and surrounding areas.
My location: Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland ( Te Whenua Roa o Kahu / The North Shore).
Role purpose: Ensuring academic delivery across Aotearoa. Delivering to our ākonga wherever they are in the country, with equitable and access to vocational education both provider and in work learning.
A short career summary: A career in Aviation and Tourism before a career change to Vocational Education.
My whānau: Marie-Agnes my bestie of many years. My adult tamariki Brigitte, Marcel and Heloise along with my pride and joy… my two moko Elodie and Annabelle.
What I’m most excited about in my role: The possibilities vocational education present to people to literally change the direction of their lives for the better. Celebrating the success of our learners is what get’s me out of bed every morning.
A guilty pleasure I have is... Watching a cricket test match with a healthy supply of chicken sandwiches, mince pies, hot chips and great wine! In fact watching most sports along with walking and jogging to burn those calories!
In my spare time, you’ll find me... Chasing grandchildren, watching sport, walking and jogging and occasionally at the movies!
Otago Polytechnic win big at HRNZ Awards
Congratulations to kaimahi at Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga who were recognised at the Human Resources New Zealand (HRNZ) Awards for their outstanding achievement in incorporating Māori cultural values and tikanga in the workplace.
The Mana Tangata Leader Award was presented to Otago Polytechnic at the annual HRNZ Awards ceremony on 9 March. The award acknowledges the implementation of tikanga Māori-based HR practices across all levels of the organisation, resulting in improved outcomes for tangata Māori in the workplace.
The integration of Māori values and tikanga has become an everyday practice for the People and Culture team at Otago Polytechnic, enabling a more culturally responsive and inclusive approach.
In addition, Laura Warren, former Deputy Chief Executive: People, Culture & Safety at Otago Polytechnic, was recognised with the HRNZ Leadership Award and named HR Person of the Year for her exemplary practice and significant contribution to the HR profession in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Just this week it was announced that Laura is newly appointed as Pounuku Tangata ā-rohe 4 | People and Culture Director region 4 of Te Pūkenga based at Otago Polytechnic.
"Laura’s appointment within our People, Culture and Wellbeing (PCW) Business Group acknowledges the significant contribution she has made within the HR and education sector overall. The calibre of skills, knowledge and experience she brings will strengthen our growing team," says Keri-Anne Tane, Pourangi Tangata | Chief People Officer.
Kaimahi offered unique opportunity to learn connection between Te Ao Māori and wellbeing and safety
Join our new Whakatūpato | Cultural Intelligence webinar series to understand how Te Ao Māori concepts can benefit your wellbeing and safety practice.
Hosted by Vance Walker, the webinars are open to all kaimahi with the first kicking off at 11am on Wednesday 5 April.
You are welcome to join one or more of six one-hour sessions:
- Session 1: 11am Wednesday 5 April – A new learning curve connecting Te Ao Māori with health and safety will be outlined.
- Session 2: 11am Wednesday 3 May – Whakatūpato is a reprised and unique narrative that starts with the Polynesian seafaring heritage.
- Session 3: 11am Wednesday 31 May – We reconcile Te Ao Māori with health and safety precepts and offer an added approach to practice.
- Session 4: 11am Wednesday 28 June – An overview of a Kia Tupāto, a cultural predisposition for cautious attitude and behaviour.
- Session 5: 11am Wednesday 26 July – The reality of using Te Whare Tapa Whā in high tempo high risk industry.
- Session 6: 11am Wednesday 23 August – Your identity as a Kaiwhakatūpato and your future contributions.
This opportunity is not to be missed – register your interest here.
More about the facilitator
Vance Walker
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne
Ko Hikurangi Te Maunga, Ko Waiapu Te Awa, Ko Ngāti Porou Te Iwi, Ko Ngāti Rangi te Hapu ko Vance Walker ahau.
Previously an inspector for WorkSafe NZ and Critical Risk Advisor with Waka Kotahi, Vance is now an independent research practitioner. Current research clients include WorkSafe NZ, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, an independent global charity.
Vance serves on the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management Board and is a member of the national association for Māori health and safety professionals, Te Rōpū Marutau o Aotearoa. Always drawn to things Māori, his main contribution centres on connecting Māori culture with conventional health and safety practice.
Introducing standardised fees for international learners
From July 2023 new international learners tuition fees have been standardised. The same fee structure will apply regardless of the Te Pūkenga business division they enrol with.
This move reflects the value and quality of our education offering and that we are now one organisation with a size and scale that provides more options to ākonga.
To manage the transition in pricing we’re also introducing a number of study grants for new ākonga joining us in semester two, 2023. The study grants reduce the cost for all ākonga studying certain programmes.
The net fees international learners will pay depend on the programme they study and if they are studying at a campus in or out of Auckland. Study Grants apply to Level 8 and 9 postgraduate and masters programmes and Level 5 – 9 Engineering programmes.
Te Pūkenga Commute Survey Reminder
A reminder that Te Pūkenga Commute Survey is still open and closes Friday 31 March at 4pm. The survey results will contribute to our sustainability mahi around identifying key emission sources and calculating our carbon footprint. Thank you to all kaimahi who have already completed the survey. You can find out more about the confidential survey and complete it here.
Images at the heart of our transition journey
We’re stoked to be able to announce the winner of the ‘Community/ Place’ Category in the kaimahi photo comp, UCOL and your whakaahua (image) that clearly shows the connection to your community is truly heartwarming. Kei whea mai!
As part of the kaimahi transition project, a network wide kaimahi photograph competition was held in November 2022 to celebrate and encourage kaimahi to capture the history of their legacy organisation.
The competition called for you to individually or collectively submit a photograph that summarises what you bring with you from the past into the future, from your former technical institute or industry training organisation into Te Pūkenga.
The competition has three categories:
- “Manawa, this is us” - a photo which captures the spirit strength of your organisation
- “Community/Place” - photo which shares the connection your organisation has with whenua/community
- “From the archives” - a photo taken over the years which shares your unique history The competition ran through the month of Noema (November) and was hosted on the Taumauri (Synergy Health) platform. There were 43 entries received from seven business divisions. Entries were voted on by kaimahi using the “like” function in Taumauri, which established a shortlist for each category.
Shortlists were reviewed Te Pūkenga national office People, Culture and Wellbeing team to put forward the winning photograph for each category.
Aka Pārongo online provider portal
The Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) are excited to announce the upcoming launch of their online provider portal, Aka Pārongo. It is designed to give providers a more user-friendly, efficient, and secure way of submitting post-assessment moderation files.
Instead of using post or email, Aka Pārongo will integrate seamlessly with WDC systems, giving providers more control and flexibility around their submissions.
This new system will launch in April, and the WDCs will be in contact with further information.
Network Wins
New horticulture programme teaches simple ways to grow your own food
Language School connecting cultures and people
New Pacific project set to support ākonga through collaborative partnership
NorthTec | Te Pūkenga student gains new passion and career