Twenty-three new kaimahi were welcomed into the whānau on Thursday 21 August.
They were given a warm pōwhiri on to Te Noho Kotahitanga by our marae team with a number of senior leaders, heads of schools and support services present.
Among those formally welcomed were our recently appointed directors Jeff Howe (International – Tāmaki), Fleur Annan (Marketing & Brand – Tāmaki), Dr Rosanne Ellis (Research and Enterprise – Tāmaki) and Mike Foley (Digital Strategy and Experience -Tāmaki).
Some were accompanied by family members and work colleagues from both our institutions to share in the special occasion.
“At Unitec, being part of our whānau means we embrace all of who you are – your identity, your tūpuna (ancestors), and those closest to you,” says Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
Peseta also reminded them of their core purpose to support and manaaki our learners.
“Our focus, our kaupapa is on our learners, their outcomes and their aspirations,” he explained, also reassuring them of the support available to them.
The Executive Director also spoke about the new direction we are heading in under Te Waka Hourua -the coming together of two institutions – the new shared future and vision we are currently working through with MIT.
Following an explanation of Unitec’s spiritual and physical connection to the whenua (land) by Taharangi, Director – Māori Success, Unitec, Vivienne Merito, Kaihautu Hohepa Renata gave a tour of our wharenui Ngākau Māhaki before introducing our Te Noho Kotahitanga values, which will guide our new kaimahi in their new roles.
Meet our new kaimahi
Coming home to where her social work journey began
Since joining Te Puna Waiora team as its new Mental Health Advisor in June, Sonja Manson, says the whole experience has been like a homecoming.
As one of our graduates in Bachelor of Social Practice in 2017, she has a deep connection with her role.
“When this role came up, I thought it was the right time to come back to where my social work journey started and instilled all the passion for my mahi,” Sonja explains.
“It feels right – I’m able to give back to the organisation that provided me with all the knowledge and being here feels like I am coming home.”
Ms Manson previously worked for the Royal New Zealand Airforce at the Woodbourne base near Blenheim. In her four years there, Sonja enjoyed working with young adults in a tertiary and training environment and helping them to find their direction and overcome barriers.
Ms Manson says she can relate to our learners through her own experiences a student.
“Being on the other side of the tunnel now, I am able to awhi (support) them through remembering my own experiences studying here.”
“One of my old lecturers used to tell me, ‘your clients don’t need to know your struggles, but they need to know you’ve struggled’ and I feel I can walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them,” she says.
Sonja is enjoying being part of a supportive team.
“It’s a collective community here. Although I am working one-on-one with learners, I am one of many who is supporting them. It feels like I am part of something bigger and I’ m not holding anything on my own,” she remarks.
Outside of social work, Ms Manson is a keen soccer player and the youngest of six.
“I am competitive and I grew up in West Auckland across the road from the Outrageous Fortune House!”
Proud Fijian swaps corporate for tertiary
Sid Kumar is less than two weeks into his new role as the Accounts Administrator in our Accounts and Finance team, but he’s loving every moment.
“Obviously, there are new systems and processes I have to learn, but so far it’s been very welcoming and I’ve learnt so much in only a few days,” he explains.
“My team has been very helpful taking the time to show me the ropes. It’s very comforting to be amongst colleagues who have the patience to help me adjust to my new surroundings.”
He is enjoying the change of scene coming from a corporate working background.
Mr Kumar was formerly an accountant for G.J. Gardner Homes in Albany.
“I came here wanting more hands-on experience in accounting. I was interested in learning more about working in a tertiary education environment and how the system works.”
Mr Kumar proud of his Fijian roots and is a fluent Fijian-Hindi speaker. While he was born in Auckland, his parents migrated to New Zealand in the 1980s from Suva and Rakiraki on the main island of Viti Levu.
“I like working with people and being part of a bigger team than what I am used to. It’s very inclusive here. I love the diversity at Unitec and its strong cultural connections,” he remarks.