Our Wellbeing and Safety team have announced this year’s winners of their Loud Shirt Day competition for kaimahi.
They are Michelle Paki, Todd Hopkins, Zarina Caacbay, Yifei Cheng, Ankita Oommen, from our Student Central team, and Michael Craven, Production & Facilities Manager, School of Creative Industries.
“Congratulations to our Loud Shirt Day winners! Each of our winners will be enjoying a coffee and a treat from Long Black Café, courtesy of the Wellbeing & Safety team,” says Inger Andersen, Senior Wellbeing and Safety Coordinator.
Loud Shirt Day is a fun and colourful annual fundraising campaign held across Aotearoa and Australia to raise awareness and support for children with hearing loss. The day was officially observed in Aotearoa on 17 October 2025.
It proudly supports organisations such as The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP), which help children and young people access sounds, speech, education, and opportunities. More info here https://www.loudshirtday.org.nz/
Mr Craven says all his shirts are made to fit by his mum who lives in Wellington, and they have become a traditional present for birthdays and Christmas.
“I used to wear a lot of dark colours due to working backstage in theatre and mum wanted to brighten me up. Since then, loud shirts and bringing joy to people has become part of who I am,” he explains.
Speaking on behalf of the Student Central team, Team Leader Michelle Paki says: “We had so much fun bringing the colour and energy while supporting such an important Kaupapa. At Student Central, we’re proud to help raise awareness for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to support causes that celebrate diversity and inclusiveness.”
“We look forward to seeing more Loud Shirts next year!” says Ms Andersen.