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Our updates

Fostering connection and capturing feedback: Kaimahi Kōrero

This week, our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) were on the road visiting kaimahi (staff) kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) and online in our first Kaimahi Kōrero hui series. It was a great opportunity for whakawhanaungatanga, to connect and build meaningful relationships. It was also an important occasion to share more information as we prepare for consultation on parts of our organisation structure, starting in the week of 12 June. 

The schedule was jam-packed, starting the week in Hamilton and finishing in Auckland this afternoon, with 17 sessions in total. Thank you to our hosts across the motu. 

Keri-Anne Tane, Pourangi Tangata | Chief People Officer has closed the week feeling invigorated about our purpose in enabling and supporting our people to succeed.

“I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I value any opportunity to kōrero with our people. It’s critical that as a leadership team we hear directly from you about what’s important and what’s top of mind, so we can support you now and into the future.

“It’s also heartening to see our values – manawa nui, manawa roa, manawa ora – come to life in these hui, showing how we want to be as an organisation every day. We care about each other, demonstrate manaakitanga (kindness) and gratitude, and create safe spaces where people feel comfortable to contribute and share. We provide feedback that is honest, constructive and respectful in order to elevate each other’s greatness. We encourage contribution at all levels and look for opportunities to learn from others.”

Darren Mitchell, Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 4 | Executive Director, Region 4 said it was good to have an opportunity to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) with the ELT before consultations start in June.

“It’s clear from the ELT presentation that there’s still a significant amount of work to be done, and the upcoming consultation is only one step on our journey to becoming one national organisation. To get there, we need to know and trust each other. Meeting regularly and in person will help with that, as will honest, respectful and constructive kōrero, like we had at the Kaimahi Kōrero. I look forward to continuing the conversation.”

The hui held this week are just the beginning of many more to come. They’ll be regular events, with ample opportunity for continued whakawhanaungatanga and kōrero.

Missed the session? Watch the recording of the online session hosted by Work Based Learning on Te Whare.  

Embedding the Pastoral Code into Te Pūkenga 

For the first time, Te Pūkenga is providing a whole of Te Pūkenga self-review report and attestation to meet the requirements of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Ākonga) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code).

The Code is administered and monitored by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and encompasses all aspects of pastoral care to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all tertiary and international learners and residents, including work-based learners. The Code is a tool we can use to ensure ākonga are always at the centre of everything we do.  

We have a significant work programme underway that will see the Code truly embedded in our systems, processes and day-to-day mahi. This is underpinned by Te Pūkenga Ākonga Pastoral Code Framework.

In 2023 we’ll focus on: 

• building unified structures and support to better engage with ākonga and to involve them in decision making 
• submitting our first all-of-Te Pūkenga self-review report, showing compliance with the Code 
• building kaimahi capability so we all know and understand the Code and what it means to us, both as an organisation, and in our day-to-day mahi. 

Across the network more than 120 kaimahi worked extremely hard to pull together individual self-reviews for each business division. We’re now creating an aggregated self-review report that we’ll submit with our Te Pūkenga attestation to NZQA. We’ll publish this on our website in mid-June.   

This is the first time this level of information and data has been shared across Te Pūkenga. It has required innovation and agility to adapt our existing tools into a single system that all Te Pūkenga business divisions can use for reporting and continuous improvement.   

The insights gathered will be used to further develop our pastoral care practices, in collaboration with ākonga and kaimahi.  

You can expect to see more updates information on the Code and how it applies to you and your mahi in future.  

More information on the Pastoral Code can be found on Te Whare or on our website.

Te Pūkenga kaimahi pitch in for cyclone recovery

Te Pūkenga kaimahi have been stepping up to help learners, employers and communities hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Primary ITO out on the farm at Tīnui and Ara and Competenz raising funds to help. 

At Primary ITO | Te Pūkenga, each year kaimahi can do a day’s volunteering in the community. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, people put that to a good use. Primary ITO went a step further, allowing kaimahi who wanted to help but weren’t able to do it themselves to gift their day so others could take another day. 

One person who took that offer up was Wairarapa-based Training Adviser, Phoebe Topp.    

Around 45km to the northeast of Masterton, the small settlement of Tīnui experienced significant flooding and damage and the 1000-hectare family farm of a close friend of Phoebe was extensively damaged. 

Initially Phoebe used her own Community Leave Day to head to the farm, expecting to put in some hard graft like pulling out damaged fencing. At that point, the farmer could not get around the property due to the silt left behind.  

“When we went out the silt had dried just enough to start getting around on a motorbike. We got out and put together an analysis of the damage with photos of what needs fixing, that he could send on to the insurer and anyone else that needs proof.” Phoebe says. 

A week later Phoebe used the Community Leave pool to head back to Tīnui to create a report for the local Council. While Phoebe didn’t get to put in the physical graft she originally expected, the farmer greatly appreciated help with paperwork at a time when he is overwhelmed by the scale of work needed on the farm. 

Elsewhere around the motu, Raymond Wallace, Systems Administrator in the Digital team based at Ara | Te Pūkenga in Christchurch, sold off surplus end-of-life computer equipment, raising about $6000 to support Te Pūkenga kaimahi affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Charlie Auty and Jill Milburn also rallied the South Canterbury community to support a fundraising breakfast held in Starz Restaurant at Ara | Te Pūkenga Timaru. Local businesses and Ara kaimahi donated food, cookbooks, vouchers, goody bags and other items that were raffled to raise more than $1000. 

Back in March, the Competenz Te Pūkenga whānau raised more than $3000 to help those who lost a lot of what they had worked hard for.  

Here’s one story that helps illustrate the impact donations made during such a tough time. Steven Jones is a Forestry Account Manager based in Wairoa with his family. Here’s a note from Steven:  
 
"My family and I would like to show our deepest appreciation for the wonderful donation that the Competenz whānau have sent to us. While it has been a difficult time for our family as well as the wider community of Wairoa, we have been amazed at the generosity of the local community as well as those further afield. The support — physically, materially and donations — have reminded us how generous the people of Aotearoa are in times of adversity.  

Our church sent volunteers from Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki and Gisborne to help clean out our homes as well as helping the wider community. Food was provided for them during their lunch break. The local marae coordinated food supplies that just kept coming and coming, to the point of overflowing, and part of the donation will be forwarded to them for their wonderful help. (In our home) everything has to be replaced due to the silt. We will also share part of the donation with others who have proved just as worthy of support. Once again, my family and I want to thank our Competenz whānau for their generosity and it has been truly humbling to be the recipients of such a tremendous donation.  Kindest regards from the Jones whānau and the Wairoa Community."   

Te Pūkenga kaimahi have been stepping up to help learners, employers and communities hit by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Primary ITO out on the farm at Tīnui and Ara raising funds to help. 

At Primary ITO | Te Pūkenga, each year kaimahi can do a day’s volunteering in the community. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, people put that to a good use. Primary ITO went a step further, allowing kaimahi who wanted to help but weren’t able to do it themselves to gift their day so others could take another day. 

One person who took that offer up was Wairarapa-based Training Adviser, Phoebe Topp.    

Around 45km to the northeast of Masterton, the small settlement of Tīnui experienced significant flooding and damage and the 1000-hectare family farm of a close friend of Phoebe was extensively damaged. 

Initially Phoebe used her own Community Leave Day to head to the farm, expecting to put in some hard graft like pulling out damaged fencing. At that point, the farmer could not get around the property due to the silt left behind.  

“When we went out the silt had dried just enough to start getting around on a motorbike. We got out and put together an analysis of the damage with photos of what needs fixing, that he could send on to the insurer and anyone else that needs proof.” Phoebe says. 

A week later Phoebe used the Community Leave pool to head back to Tīnui to create a report for the local Council. While Phoebe didn’t get to put in the physical graft she originally expected, the farmer greatly appreciated help with paperwork at a time when he is overwhelmed by the scale of work needed on the farm. 

Elsewhere around the motu, Raymond Wallace, Systems Administrator in the Digital team based at Ara | Te Pūkenga in Christchurch, sold off surplus end-of-life computer equipment, raising about $6000 to support Te Pūkenga kaimahi affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Charlie Auty and Jill Milburn also rallied the South Canterbury community to support a fundraising breakfast held in Starz Restaurant at Ara | Te Pūkenga Timaru. Local businesses and Ara kaimahi donated food, cookbooks, vouchers, goody bags and other items that were raffled to raise more than $1000. 

Interim Kaimahi Advisory Committee (IKAC) update

Te Pūkenga Interim Kaimahi Advisory Committee (IKAC) is a group of kaimahi elected by their peers at their business division or appointed by another advisory committee.  

IKAC held its most recent meeting on 5 May. It acknowledged the resilience of kaimahi in areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, who’ve been continuing great mahi in spite of damaged campuses, roads and infrastructure, and in some cases have suffered damage to their own property. 

Peter Winder provided an update, summarising ongoing progress in the Organisational Design and Change process. He spoke about how the People Culture and Wellbeing  and Digital structures have now been finalised and how the teams have started  to work together at a more cohesive national level, with the Finance teams shortly set to do likewise.  He reiterated how combining 25 organisations (16 polytechs and 9 ITOs) into one national organisation is a transformation on a size and scale  rarely seen in New Zealand, and that while we are making real gains  it will take time for all the benefits of transformation to be fully bedded in.  

Dallas Snape, Product Lead in the Academic Centre and Learning Systems team, then led a brainstorming session to gather IKAC’s perspectives on how the Strategic Fund from TEC should be most effectively allocated in supporting the work of kaimahi and programme delivery. The Strategic Fund is one of three parts of the unified funding system provided by TEC. It allows Te Pūkenga to respond to labour shortages at a regional and national level, invest in programme development and maintenance, and support the sustainable provision of programmes. 

Council recently acknowledged the work IKAC members have put into providing recommendations for the future structure of the Kaimahi Advisory Committee and its election process. Kaimahi will vote to elect representatives from their region, and the elected members will be able to subsequently co-opt additional members onto the committee to ensure diversity of the committee and representation of priority groups. An election date will be advised soon.  

More about IKAC: 

IKAC’s role is to advise Te Pūkenga Council on strategic matters that affect kaimahi. It is also developing the election and representation processes and job descriptions for the permanent kaimahi advisory committee, which will be elected later this year. Keep an eye out for more information on how you can get involved in the elections.  

IKAC’s co-chairs are Heath Sawyer and Nippy Paea. Heath sits on Te Pūkenga Council. In addition, Linda Aumua and Mary-Liz Broadley sit on Te Poari Akoranga, and Ramari Raureti sits on Komiti Māori.

Research collaboration explores how safe our campuses are for rainbow ākonga  

A research collaboration is underway across Te Pūkenga exploring how safe and inclusive our campuses are for rainbow ākonga. The research aims to highlight what is working well and any areas where improvement may be needed. It will ultimately help inform recommendations to ensure our campuses are welcoming and safe spaces. 
 
Dr Lee Smith, Senior Research Advisor at Whitireia and WelTec, is looking forward to working with a team of researchers from across Te Pūkenga network, including kaimahi who are members of the rainbow community as well as supportive allies. 
 
Lee believes that this network approach will provide a strong evidence-based view of how rainbow ākonga, including those who reflect gender diversity as well as diverse sexualities, perceive our campus spaces. 
 
“This research will help us understand how rainbow ākonga experience life on campus,” she says. “We want to be able to identify ways to enable inclusivity and promote the wellbeing of our on-campus rainbow communities.” 
 
The research team is currently seeking Ethics Committee approval from Te Pūkenga business divisions to invite all ākonga and kaimahi to participate. If you would like to find more about the research please connect with Dr Lee Smith. 
 
Members of the research team are Dr Lee Smith (Whitireia and WelTec), Lauren Addington (Whitireia and WelTec), Susan Beaumont (Whitireia and WelTec), Dr Rachael Burke (Toi Ohomai), Professor Helen Gremillion (Unitec), Fleur Kelsey (Otago Polytechnic), and Meg Nelis (Ara). 

Pink Shirt Day takes a stand against workplace bullying

Today we join the Pink Shirt Day movement to spread aroha (love) and kindness, celebrate diversity, and put an end to bullying.  

By recognising the prevalence of bullying in Aotearoa New Zealand, we can shed light on the problem and equip ourselves with tools and resources that foster a positive and inclusive working environment. 

Workplace bullying, a distressing reality faced by many, is the repeated and unjust treatment of people at work. Bullying causes both physical and psychological harm, leaving victims feeling powerless. The results of bullying can be severe, manifesting as mental anguish and sometimes pushing people to the brink of suicidal thoughts. Bullying includes threats, oppression, harassment, and torment inflicted upon individuals. 

Regrettably, statistics reveal that one in every five kaimahi in Aotearoa experience discrimination, harassment, or bullying at work. Often, bullies target people who pose a threat to them due to their competence, integrity, and ethical stance. In addition, people from minority or marginalised communities are at a heightened risk of falling victim to bullying and discrimination, which gravely impacts their mental wellbeing.   

The consequences of bullying are profound, affecting both individuals and entire workplaces. Victims endure heightened psychological strain, decreased well-being, diminished commitment to their organisation, and poorer job performance.  

Additionally, bystanders aren’t immune to the negative impacts of bullying, because bullying contributes to an unhealthy work environment.  

As Te Pūkenga, we have a legal responsibility to manage mental health risks including bullying under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Prioritising mental wellbeing fosters greater engagement, reduces absenteeism, and boosts overall productivity.  

There are some great resources available at pinkshirtday.org.nz 

We’d love to see you in your pink shirts! Join the fun by posting some photos in your pink shirt in the comments section of this page on Taumauri. 

Online and distance learning expertise recognised  

Dr Mark Nichols is committed to online and distance learning, dedicating his career to enabling learners to access quality education.  

The Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Executive Director of Learning Design & Development has recently been named as one of the newly appointed Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Chairs.  

The Commonwealth of Learning aims to create and widen access to opportunities for learning, making use of the potential offered by distance education and by the application of communication technologies to education. Hosted by the Government of Canada, COL is the world’s only intergovernmental organisation solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning. 

 The COL Chairs programme is open to open and distance learning experts across the Commonwealth and during their three-year term Chairholders are expected to promote thought leadership.  

Mark has worked in open education for more than 20 years and jumped at the opportunity to apply for this prestigious position.  

“I’ve long admired the work of the COL. I have interviewed several of their kaimahi, including their President and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Asha Kanwar, as part of a podcast series I’ve been doing for the past few years.”  

Last year Mark also accepted the Commonwealth of Learning Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement on behalf of the Open Polytechnic.  

“I’ve been active in ODFL (open, flexible, distance learning) research for many years alongside my professional role, and the opportunity to engage with Commonwealth-aligned activity was too good to miss.” 

Mark says the application process was extremely thorough and required an outline of intended research activity.  Also in his favour was a high level of professional experience across ODFL and strong professional networks.  

“I’m also well published in ODFL and have built a good international reputation over the years; I’ve had executive and board level responsibilities across such networks as Ascilite, EDEN, FLANZ, and currently, the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE).”  

Mark has been appointed alongside five other international experts, and is the only non-university, non-professor appointment.  

“I was deeply honoured when I found out. Historically, many major scholars have been associated with the programme.” 

As part of the programme, Mark is undertaking a new research project, the focus of which is modes of teaching and learning for vocational education.  

“I’ve been involved in this already as part of a Learning and Teaching Advisory Group (LTAG) sub-group, made up of teaching and learning advisers across the ITP sector, and have worked with Te Kahui Mātauranga and other stakeholders to explore different modes of ako that might be implemented across vocational education.  

“This is a complex area – the term that has most struck me to date is that ako approaches are “fluid” – but it’s a topic of international concern. My research challenge is identifying possible modes for vocational education with a view to describing them clearly, modelling their application, and generating proposals for systematising their implementation. I’ve committed to a journal publication related to models of tuition, a Creative Commons report overviewing TVET modes of teaching and learning for general release and initiating an edited book with collaborators across the Commonwealth to provide case studies of various TVET teaching and learning models.”  

Te Pūkenga Pourangi Mātauranga me ngā Pūnaha Ako | DCE Academic Centre and Learning Systems Dr Megan Gibbons says Mark’s appointment is extremely well deserved.  

“Mark has worked tirelessly in the open and distance learning space, and this is a great acknowledgement of his expertise in this area.  

“We look forward to seeing the outcomes of his research and look to support him in this going forward.” 

You can listen to Mark’s podcast here. 

Meet our kaimahi

‘Meet our kaimahi’ is where we get to know some of our colleagues, recently appointed into new roles.

This edition, we’re profiling Layelin Stewart who’s recently been appointed as Pounuku Ako ā-Motu: Mātauranga Māori | National Ako Director - Mātauranga Māori.

Read Layelin's profile on Te Whare 

Get to know our kaimahi

Our kaimahi bring together a wide range of skills, diverse backgrounds, and some interesting guilty pleasures. Visit the ‘Our kaimahi’ page to find profiles on our recent appointments

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