Tributes flow for retiring colleague after 30 years of service

After three decades of dedicated service, Customer Services Assistant Hemant Patel has farewelled the organisation, leaving behind a lasting impact on generations of students and staff.

A well-known and friendly presence at the Ask Me Desk in Te Puna, friends and colleagues gathered on Friday morning to share kai, reflect on his career, and wish him well in his retirement.

“I started work at Unitec in 1996 as a Desktop Technician, looking after Macintosh computers in the Learning Technology Department, which is now the IT Department,” Hemant says.

Over the years, Mr Patel’s roles evolved alongside the institution. In the 2000s, he managed student computer labs before joining the Ask Me Desk team in 2018, where he became a trusted and approachable figure for ākonga (students) seeking support.

Colleagues paid tribute to his character and contribution.

“Hemant is one of the most humble and easy-going people in the team. He’s always patient, calm and highly valued by everyone,” says Jeffrey Wu, Manager, Student Central & Ask Me & International Success.

“We will miss him and his incredible energy and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Library Manager Anna Wheeler also reflected on Hemant’s earlier contributions.

“We really valued your input and innovations in the student computer centre, including the laptop zone,” she says.

Customer Services Team Leader Sara Wang, who has worked alongside Hemant since 2005, says his impact on the team has been profound. “I will miss his kindness and respect for all his team members,” she says.

To mark the occasion, Hemant was presented with a gift and a photo album capturing memories from his time with us.

Before joining Unitec, Hemant worked at the University of Auckland’s Computer Centre from 1980 to 1992 and gained his NZCE qualification from MIT in 1980—marking more than four decades in New Zealand’s tertiary education sector.

Reflecting on his career, Hemant says it is the people and the students that stand out most.

“I have great memories of Unitec, with so many wonderful colleagues I’ve worked with,” he says. “I also remember when classes were held in prefabs and then seeing new buildings like Te Puna and our marae being constructed. There has been huge transformation across the campus over the years.”

While change brought challenges, it also created opportunities. “I’ve been through at least five restructures, but the positive side was being able to work in different areas of the institution and meeting people outside of my team,” he says.

Above all, Hemant takes pride in the relationships he built with students.

“One thing I am most proud of is all the students I’ve helped over the years. I loved working with them and seeing them achieve their goals,” he says.

“Sometimes I run into them in the street or supermarket and they joke, ‘are you still there?’—which always makes me smile.”

“I feel humbled to have been part of their journeys and to have supported them in achieving their qualifications.”

After 30 years at Unitec and 41 years in the New Zealand education sector, Hemant says the time feels right to step away. Looking ahead, he is embracing the unknown.

“I don’t have anything planned yet—this next chapter will start like a clean slate,” he says. “But I’ll be watching plenty of cricket and rugby and taking time to relax and enjoy each day as a blessing. God willing.”

Hemant’s journey to New Zealand spans continents and generations. Born in Uganda to Indian parents with ancestral ties to Gujarat, his family moved to England in 1972 following the expulsion of South Asians under Idi Amin’s regime. In 1978, they made the move to New Zealand, where Hemant has now lived for 47 years.

“My father found the UK winters tough after coming from Africa, which is why we moved,” he says.

“New Zealand has been home ever since. I have two adult sons and a very lovely wife.”

As Hemant begins his retirement, he leaves behind not just years of service, but a legacy of kindness, humility, and unwavering support for the Unitec whānau.