Our MC: A’anoali’i Rowena Fuluifaga
Thanks to everyone who attended our mid year staff event on Friday: Tū Arotake – Checkpoint.
With a record turnout for this annual mid-year event, and a great buzz, thanks to our talented and engaging MC, A’anoali’i ‘Rowena’ Fuluifaga, Manager from our Learning and Achievement team, everyone settled in and took the opportunity to listen, to share and to kōrero with colleagues.
Merran was our first speaker and provided us with an snapshot of the past six months, including thanking everyone for their outstanding response to COVID-19 and the move to online teaching and learning, which was truly an across-Unitec effort.
Interim Chief Executive Merran Davis
She also touched on our Renewal Strategy – Manaakitia te Rito,
and in particular our support of our priority group students, and the focus on enhancing the experience of Māori and Pacific, which will inherently enhance the experience and outcomes for all our students.
Merran also spoke about the EER coming up in 11 weeks, and how we are responding to the feedback from the IER panel. There were some glowing comments but there is still work to be done. She also updated us on the land development, including the latest news out of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Following Merran’s kōrero, we heard from Peter Winder, Chair of Board of Directors for Unitec and MIT, and Member of the Council of NZIST.
Peter Winder, Chair of Board of Directors for Unitec and MIT, and Member of the Council of NZIST
Peter spoke of the focus the Board has on collaboration between Unitec and MIT, and our work towards the upcoming EER.
Before we headed to the workshop sessions, Merran and Mary Johnston, Executive Director – People and Infrastructure, gave an update on the Wellbeing Survey, which was completed by many of our staff a few weeks ago. In particular, they spoke about the feedback on flexible working, which introduced the discussion topic for the workshops about a new way of working that is equitable and effective across Unitec.
The workshop sessions were a superb forum for discussing how a new way of working could look like, guided by our values. The result of this discussion will be shared in September – keep an eye on the Nest.
Animated conversations in the workshop sessions
Matua Hare Paniora closing the event after blessing the staff whiri artwork
Finally, David Glover and Merran unveiled our whiri artwork. This beautiful piece was the result of a combined effort of many of our staff – the whiri (plaits) that we made at our February staff event, Aronui – Focus, were woven together by Kaitiaki – Taiao, Tanya White, to create a 2-metre wide artwork, that will be hung in Te Puna. Matua Hare Paniora blessed the whiri before closing the event.
During the morning tea, it was great to see our people connecting with each other over kai and reflecting on their morning together. Thank you everyone for participating, sharing your kōrero, and for taking time out of your day to join us.
Behind the Scenes at Tū Arotake
Kaitiaki Manaaki Tonina Ngatai and her cousin Kat made more than 400 cheese scones for the kai at Tū Arotake – Checkpoint. Tonina said it was one of the largest batches the wharekai team has made for an internal event. She was hard at work in the wharekai from 6.30am on the big day with her cousin Kat, a seasoned caterer who came to help Tonina out on Friday morning. Tonina says she was extremely grateful for her support. “We’re the dream team in the kitchen.”
Tonina’s famous cheese scones and tomato soup lunches are a firm favourite for so many of us at the hundreds of staff hui, pōwhiri and external events she has catered for over the two years she’s been the Wharekai Co-ordinator.
Kaitiaki manaaki Tonina Ngatai making more than 400 scones for morning tea
