29th March 2021 (published on Pou tukutuku weekly)
Talofa lava
It’s been a very disrupted start to our year but I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to welcome our Pacific learners as we’d planned, albeit in between the interruptions.
I was proud to be part of our 2021 Pacific orientation after it was cancelled due to Covid last year. The orientation involved our Student Services, Pacific Champions and Schools staff working together to manaaki our new Pacific learners as they begin their journey at Unitec. Learners were split up into their School groups where they had talanoa sessions to get to know other students better.
Our Pacific Learning Advisors and Success Navigators have been working closely with the Pacific Champions in each of the Schools to connect early with fono. The recent fono sessions have seen many of our Pacific learners engaging with staff and each other. It’s wonderful to have so many of our Unitec whānau supporting our learners, as they navigate through the often unfamiliar and overwhelming experience of tertiary study.
To continue the talanoa and whakawhanaungatanga, we will be holding our first Whānau-Fanau Day in three years on Saturday 1 May. This is an opportunity for our Māori and Pacific students to celebrate their cultures together, and bring their families onto campus to see for themselves our beautiful campus and to meet the staff. We know through experience and research that our Māori and Pacific learners are often more successful when we bring their family along with them, as a big part of their support network.
We are now into our 18th year of an agreement between Unitec and the NZ Police to grow Pacific police officer numbers. It’s an ongoing collaboration between the NZ Police, Unitec Police Studies and the Pacific Centre. Last semester saw a 100% pass rate for our pre-Police course for the first time and it’s great to see the course get underway for semester one 2021.
You may be aware of the Pacific fale that was built in the courtyard next to building 1 and opened in 2003. With the land being handed to the government later this year, we have been planning the relocation of this special structure from building 1 down to closer to building 180. Collaborative work between the Unitec property team, Pacific Centre team and a master fale builder will ensure the correct process and ceremony is followed – I’ll keep you updated as we confirm our plan.
I’m very aware that the closure of B111 – 115 is causing disruption and frustration for many of our teams and I extend my thoughts and support to you all. Thanks to all of the teams working behind the scenes on the investigation and remediation needed to make these buildings safe for our learners and staff.
Finally, I welcome you to our Mu Talanoa sessions on Wednesdays – starting this week. It’s a combo of Chess and Talanoa (chatting), and a great opportunity to take time out, learn a new skill and get to know your colleagues.
Toe feiloa’i
Falaniko Tominiko
Director – Pacific Success