International Women’s Day was celebrated on Sunday 8 March, so it’s a great time to reflect on the many incredible women who work at Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka – Unitec.
As a quick overview, the stats show that women are well represented across our staff. Women make up:
- 56% of our total staff
- 57% of our leaders – up from 48% in 2019
- 47% of our academic staff
Take a look back at some of the stories we’ve shared over the past year, highlighting the outstanding contribution and talent of women at Unitec:
Dila (centre) with Minister Kris Faafoi and Merran at the launch of the new Diploma in Cybersecurity
Dila Beysembeyava, Academic Programme Manager in our School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology has been instrumental in launching the new Level 6 Cybersecurity Diploma. It was a proud moment for Unitec and all involved as we are the first tertiary institution to have developed a cyber-qualification in the pre-degree space (Level 6).
Felicity Bowden
Felicity Bowden, Animal Technician at Te Puna Kararehe (our small animal unit) hung up her Unitec polo-shirt after 15 years of supporting students through the Animal Husbandry course and caring for the animals at Te Puna Kararehe.
Whaea Tanya White, welcoming missionaries to Unitec
Whaea Tanya White is Kaitiaki (carer) of our whenua (land) and welcomes groups to help care for our Pa Harakeke (flax), puna and marae grounds, including a group of young missionaries.
“The connection they have forged with the whenua, led so beautifully by Tanya has been very humbling and gives us great opportunities for future partnerships.” said Nick Hanvey, Operations and Infrastructure manager
Andrea Thumath accepting her ‘Unitec Champion’ award at the 2019 Staff Excellence Awards
At our 2019 Staff Excellence Awards, the Unitec Champion Award was presented to Andrea Thumath, Director of Under 25s Success and Head of UPC. Our three ‘Excellence in Teaching’ Awards were presented to three female academics: Diane Fraser – Senior Lecturer, Environmental and Animal Sciences; Kristie Cameron – Lecturer, Environmental and Animal Sciences; and Margaret Evans – Academic Development Lecturer, Learning and Achievement.
Terri-Ann Berry
Terri-Ann Berry led the development our new Environmental Research Solutions Centre, which opened in September 2019. Terri-Ann, as well as leading the team, is leading ground-breaking research on protecting people and other living species from the dangers of asbestos.
Terri-Ann was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019, and 11 women in our academic staff were promoted to Senior Lecturer.
Heather Stonyer
Our 2019 ‘Industry Connect’ events doubled in participation from 2018, led ably by all-women Industry Workforce team of Heather Stonyer, Melinda Chuo, Christine Newland, Shani Sauerman and Sue-ann Wang.
“Our Industry Connect events support students on their journey as they transition from learner to earner, equipping them with job-hunting skills and valuable connections with employers.” said Heather, Director of Industry Partnerships.
Ashley Yan
The Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) invited Electrical Engineering lecturer, Ashley Yan, to join the Board.
Head of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology, Nick Sheppard said Ashley is a rising star of our engineering team, is a wonderful lecturer and member of the team.
Vivienne Merito
Vivienne Merito returned to Unitec in 2019 after a few years away, to take up the role of Director Marketing and Student Attraction.
“When I saw this role , I loved that a mainstream marketing role incorporated a focus on Te Noho Kotahitanga, along with Māori and Pacific success, and I thought ‘wow, something is going on at Unitec!’” said Vivienne.
Rosemary Dewerse
The newly created Mātauranga Māori Advisory Group for NZQA’s Quality Assurance Māori invited Unitec’s Dr Rosemary Dewerse, from our Te Korowai Kahurangi team to join them, as the only Pakeha member, to contribute to the group’s aim of guiding and evaluating the provision and quality of mātauranga Māori in the tertiary sector across New Zealand.
Anne Mckay
Anne McKay’s work with Sport New Zealand has been helping schools align sport with learning in other areas, with fantastic results.
For Anne – Academic Advisor in Te Puna Ako, the Sport in Education project has pulled together two of her passions – sport and student learning. It’s also provided real-world opportunities for our students.
Rowena Fuluifaga
Learning and Achievement Manager Rowena Fuluifaga shared her work as the Founding President of the West Auckland branch of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Inc., which advocates to support and promote the education, health and wellbeing of Pacific women in New Zealand.
Toni Rewiri
Toni Rewiri took on the newly-created role of Te Taharangi – Director Māori Success, in 2019, overseeing the launch of the new Māori Success Strategy.
“Te Taharangi [Director – Māori Success] role appealed because Māori success is very high on my agenda. I’m currently working towards completing a thesis based on Māori success. It seeks to examine the culturally responsive and relational pedagogies/androgogies when working with Māori students in a mainstream tertiary setting.” said Toni.
Jo Smith
Jo Smith – Screenwriting Lecturer, for the Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts was the story and script consultant for web series Baby Mama’s Club which won NZ On Air’s ‘Best Web Series’ award at the 2018 NZ Television Awards.
We couldn’t capture all of the fantastic work and contributions made by women at Unitec in this story…if you’d like to recognise a colleague, comment below or post in Yammer (and link back to this article).
Linda Aumua, Head of Healthcare and Social Practice; Vanessa Byrnes, Head of Creative Industries; Merran Davis, Interim Chief Executive; Andrea Thumath, Director U25s Success and Head of UPC, Veraneeca Taiepa, Kaihautū, Katie Bruffy, Head of Community Studies; Toni Rewiri, Director Māori Success; Mary Johnston, Executive Director People and Infrastructure; Jessica Aranui, Taurima Marae; Jonyne Mariu-Komene, Whai Ake Teaching and Co-ordination Support, Maia Maori Centre
Great note! I loved reading about all these amazing women, you all rock! 🙂