It’s been a busy few weeks with graduations and open days for many throughout the motu. It’s also been a busy few weeks for Covid throughout the country so I hope you are keeping healthy and taking every possible precaution to protect yourself, your colleagues, ākonga and whānau as winter sets in.
Last Thursday (13 June) we hosted a high-level delegation from the Centre for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE) at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, MIT Ōtara.
The group was in the country to attend a joint China – Ministry of Education NZ forum at University of Auckland, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon present at the closing ceremony of the forum.
Our manuhiri were welcomed on to Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Ōtara and toured Tech Park campus in Manukau. It was a chance to meet CCIPE leadership, including Director General Changxue Yu, to discuss progress and next steps for the agreement signed by the Centre and Te Pūkenga last year to work together to develop vocational education and training sectors in both nations.
Many thanks to the International teams from MIT, Unitec and NorthTec for their exceptional mahi in welcoming, hosting and engaging with our guests during this important event, which will contribute to our efforts to grow our international education sector.
One of our divisions, Competenz this week identified that part of its IT infrastructure has been affected by a cyber security incident. Our digital team is working with cyber incident response experts to determine what the attackers may have accessed. Given the risks associated with Ransomware, to contain any further impact, the affected systems were shut down, however, they are still able to operate and communicate in a limited capacity. All impacted parties were communicated with quickly, as were the relevant Government Agencies. They aim to be back online early next week. If you have any questions please speak to your digital line manager or send to the Communications inbox communications@tepukenga.ac.nz.
Our digital team continues to raise awareness around numerous Phishing scams out there. These look like a genuine Microsoft file-sharing email that are not blocked by our spam filters. They take you to a phishing site that prompts you to enter your login details – don’t do it! Please read the Phishing scam article here.
We have had a few questions around national office versus business division policies. I would recommend that business divisions check with the relevant national office policy contact before developing any policies (whether supplemental to national policies, or unrelated) to avoid any conflict with current or proposed policy documentation. Any queries relating to Te Pūkenga policies can be directed to the relevant policy contact person, or Policies@TePukenga.ac.nz. Please read the Policies and Procedures article below.
There is a lot coming up in the next few weeks. We are expecting our Annual Report for 2023 to be signed off by Audit NZ soon. Once that happens it will be tabled in parliament and made public. We are also expecting to appear before the Education and Workforce Select Committee soon. Thanks to all of you who have been answering the many written questions we have as we prepare for this.
Finally, our campuses and workplaces across the motu have a variety of activities and celebrations planned in the lead-up to Te Rā Aro ki Matariki 2024, which happens on Friday, June 28. This is a great opportunity to connect, reflect, enjoy kai together and just spend time with colleagues, friends and whānau. I’m looking forward to spending time with my mokopuna over the long weekend, they bring me great joy and always remind me that this is what we are here for; ensuring our moko have the skills and knowledge to be part of building a future Aotearoa. I thank you again for the mahi you put in every day to make this a reality.
Ngā mihi nui
Gus Gilmore
Tumuaki | Chief Executive
Phishing scam – kia tūpato
Please be careful before clicking on Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint links arriving in your inbox without prior notification.
The Digital team has seen a rise in phishing emails. These emails are legitimate Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint share invites, so they aren’t blocked by our spam filters. However, these emails will take you to a phishing site that looks like a genuine Microsoft site, prompting you to enter your Microsoft credentials. An example is below.
Advice for preventing these attacks:
- Don’t open any unexpected shared files or links, even if the email is from someone you know.
- Don’t click on links from a shared file asking you to log in, verify your account details or open a scanned attachment.
- If you have opened a shared document and are now asked to ‘log in’, ‘click here’ or enter your details, stop and contact your Digital team.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with your local digital team if you suspect an issue.
WorkSafe accepts enforceable undertaking from Te Pūkenga
Te Pūkenga will begin an enforceable undertaking as a result of an accident at a Toi Ohomai campus in March 2022.
The accident happened when a vehicle exiting the Aquatic and Fitness Centre collided with a barrier gate partway across the road. The driver received significant injuries.
WorkSafe decided to lay charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Te Pūkenga applied to WorkSafe for an enforceable undertaking, and it was accepted in May 2024.
You can read the enforceable undertaking here, on the WorkSafe website.
The enforceable undertaking commits us to several activities that, together, aim to strengthen wellbeing and safety in the local community and across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The activities include water safety initiatives for underserved people, integrating a kaupapa Māori approach into our contractor relationships, developing tools for psychosocial risk management in schools, and supporting the alignment of New Zealand health and safety qualifications with international good practice.
More information about the enforceable undertaking and the initiatives will be posted on Te Whare soon.
Strengthening links with vocational education in China
Te Pūkenga recently reaffirmed our commitment to developing stronger ties with Chinese counterparts in vocational education and training.
Currently, ākonga from China represent the second largest cohort of international learners studying with business divisions across Aotearoa New Zealand. There are also sixty-six active partnerships held between vocational education providers in both countries.
On Thursday 13 June, we hosted a high-level delegation from the China Centre for International People-to-People Exchange CCIPE (Ministry of Education) at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, MIT Ōtara.
“Today’s visit confirms that we will continue to work together to enhance that already strong reputation our qualifications have (in China),” Te Pūkenga Tumuaki | Chief Executive, Gus Gilmore told the visitors following pōwhiri.
In August, Te Pūkenga signed a memorandum of arrangement with CCIPE at Parliament witnessed by the countries’ Education Ministers to establish the NZ-China Vocational Cooperation and Development Alliance, a framework for discussing and enhancing further cooperation.
More than 1,000 vocational institutes and colleges operate in China.
“We are inviting more Chinese institutes to take part in our cooperation programme,” said CCIPE Director-General Changxue Yu.
“The two sides will continue to deepen practical cooperation, carry out high-level research and high-level talent cultivation for the economic and social development of the two counties,” said Mr Yu, who led the delegation.
Initially, the alliance will focus on seven fields of vocational study:
- early childhood education
- tourism and hospitality
- culinary arts
- aged healthcare
- veterinary science
- cross border e-commerce
- electric vehicle technology.
Since the arrangement was signed, regional business divisions have been identified to progress partnerships in focus areas alongside Chinese institutes and colleges sharing similar specialties.
“We are excited about the opportunities the relationship will offer learners and staff in China and Aotearoa and look forward to future collaborations between our two countries and vocational institutes,” Mr Gilmore said.
The delegation was in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to attend the China-New Zealand Education Development Forum.
Researchers wanted!
Applications are now open for the Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships, from the Royal Society Te Apārangi. These prestigious grants are designed to support researchers at different career stages to produce excellent and impactful research and develop into leaders in their fields.
A team of experts has been brought together to support kaimahi in developing, writing and submitting competitive fellowship applications. This team is made up of research, communications and grant writing experts.
If you’re interested, please contact Jamie Smiler. Please submit your expression of interest by 5pm Tuesday, 25 June. If you have any questions you can join a Q&A session at noon on Monday 24 June.
The Tāwhaia te Mana Research Fellowships have significant career, revenue and resource development opportunity for researchers and business divisions.
They replace the old Rutherford Foundation, Rutherford Discovery, and James Cook Research Fellowships.
There are three different fellowship opportunities:
- Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship – For early-career researchers who have a PhD that was conferred within the last six years.
- Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship – For mid-career researchers who have a PhD that was conferred between six and twelve years ago.
- Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship – For distinguished researchers with expansive and international reputations who are capable of making contributions that will extend beyond their career span.
For further information, please see the FAQs on the Royal Society website.
New programme to support kaimahi in understanding and addressing ākonga mental health
We are excited to announce the launch of the "Understanding & Identifying Poor Mental Health in Ākonga" programme, developed by Suzie Bartlett, Regional Clinical Coordinator for Work Base Learning, and Hayley Laughton, Health, and Wellbeing Partner at Otago Polytech. This 90-minute session provides kaimahi with essential tools and knowledge to support the mental health of ākonga better.
The programme focuses on several key areas:
Understanding Stigma and the Mental Health Continuum.
- Covering various stages of mental health and the impact of stigma on those experiencing mental health issues.
Recognising Signs and Symptoms.
- Learn to identify early indicators of poor mental health, enabling timely and appropriate support for ākonga.
Starting the Conversation.
- Comfortably initiate discussions about mental health, fostering an open and supportive environment.
Introducing the Supporting Distressed Ākonga Flowchart.
- This practical tool guides kaimahi through the steps to take when they encounter a distressed ākonga, ensuring a structured and effective response.
Accessing Support Services.
- Participants will be informed about available mental health resources and how to connect ākonga with these services.
Maintaining Safety and Professional Boundaries.
- Emphasising the importance of personal and professional boundaries when dealing with mental health issues, ensuring that both kaimahi and ākonga are protected.
Developed in response to feedback from both kaimahi and ākonga, this programme addresses the specific needs identified by our community. It is important to note that the programme does not equip participants to diagnose mental illnesses; such assessments should be left to qualified health professionals.
Instead, this training raises awareness and provides strategies for safely engaging with and supporting those experiencing mental distress.
This programme will significantly enhance our collective ability to support the mental well-being of our ākonga, and creating a more understanding and responsive educational environment.
If you want to know more or have teams interested in participating, please email WellbeingProgrammes@TePukenga.ac.nz.
We encourage all kaimahi to participate and take this important step towards better mental health support in our community.
Policies and procedures update
We recommend that business divisions check with the relevant national office policy contact, or email policies@tepukenga.ac.nz, before developing any policies (whether supplemental to national policies, or unrelated) to avoid any conflict with current or proposed policy documentation.
All Te Pūkenga policies are available on Te Whare, on the Policies and Procedures page.
The policies, procedures and other documents listed under the ‘Network wide policies’ column apply to all kaimahi. At a business division level, these policies can be supported by local policies and procedures as long as any local policies and procedures are consistent with Te Pūkenga policy documentation.
The policies, procedures and other documents listed under the ‘National office only policies’ column only apply to Te Pūkenga national office kaimahi (and do not apply to business division kaimahi).
If you have any queries relating to Te Pūkenga policies, please talk to your relevant policy contact, or email policies@tepukenga.ac.nz.
Additionally, if you have any queries about procurement, contact procurement@tepukenga.ac.nz and for Te Pūkenga contracts please email contracts@tepukenga.ac.nz.
Updates to the delegations register
The delegations register was updated this month and took effect 17 June. The key changes to note are:
- The departure and non-replacement of the Chief Procurement Officer.
- Other roles and delegations have been adjusted accordingly in the transition structure.
- Responsibility for rent reviews of existing operating leases and licenses has been delegated to lower levels.
- Any new leases or renewals still require authorisation from either the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Executive to ensure financially sustainable decisions for Te Pūkenga.
- Short-term room or location bookings are now allowed at the division level, as outlined in the policy.
The updated delegations register is on Te Whare.
Update to National Procurement policy and National Procurement team
The revised National Procurement policy accommodates increased business division level autonomy. The key changes include:
Sourcing of Professional Services
- No need for an approved Supplier Recommendation Report (SRR) for procurement below $250,000 or $100,000 for consulting services.
Sourcing Catering Services
- Chief Executive (or delegate) no longer needs to approve spend limits.
- Direct sourcing allowed if it meets Te Pūkenga terms and condition and health and safety requirements.
Standard Payment Terms
- Clarified exceptions to standard payment terms, adding new clauses (9.2 – 9.5) explaining these exceptions.
Responsibilities: Employees and contractors (kaimahi)
- Requirement to engage the National Procurement Team raised from $20,000 to $250,000, and recommended from $100,000.
Legal Support
- Legal support team’s responsibilities simplified.
Procurement Team Changes
Kristine Navera will step in as Head of Procurement from 24 June 2024, following the departure of Hasita Wimalachandra (Procurement Director).
The Procurement Team will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure Te Pūkenga and business divisions continue to maintain fiscal responsibility and cost reductions, in line with ministerial expectations.
You can view the full procurement policy on Te Whare.
Ngā Taipitopito is changing
After careful consideration and the national office review, we're excited to announce some changes to make Ngā Taipitopito both better for you, and easier for us!
Starting with our next edition, all the content will be delivered straight to your inbox, making it easier and quicker to stay informed.
There’ll be no more website hopping; everything you need will be right there in the email. Yup, it’ll be a bit longer, but packed with all the content you need.
We’re confident these changes will enhance your reading experience and keep you well-informed. Stay tuned for the new and improved Ngā Taipitopito!
Table of contents
Phishing scam
WorkSafe accepts enforceable undertaking
vocational education in China
Researchers wanted
ākonga mental health
Policies and procedures
delegations register
National Procurement policy
Ngā Taipitopito is changing