Twenty-three new kaimahi were warmly welcomed in a pōwhiri ceremony at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae on Wednesday.
The pōwhiri was well attended by members of the Senior Leadership Team, heads of schools, and support services.
In his welcome address, Executive Director, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, highlighted the importance of understanding the kaupapa and purpose around serving our learners and communities.
“You are building on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our ākonga, and also their whānau and families,” he said.
He also emphasised the institutional values which guide teaching and learning.
“At the heart of what we do is a set of values that are really important, Te Noho Kotahitanga, based on Te Tiriti,” Peseta explained.
“As kaitiakitanga, we are the custodians of the whenua. Mahi Kotahitanga is another, where we work together within your teams and across teams. One that resonates especially for me is Ngākau Māhaki; we respect one another, we respect the differences we have, but we are unified in our goals around education, teaching and learning.”
Deputy Chief Executive, Academic, Martin Carroll assured our new kaimahi they would be well supported and reminded them of the importance of their mahi.
“Whatever role you play, all is in fulfilment of that noble purpose of helping the students that come to us to develop to their fullest potential, and then go out and make a difference in the world,” he remarked.
Following the pōwhiri, the staff orientation sessions facilitated by Unitec’s Marae team, allowed kaimahi to familiarise themselves with our Te Noho Kotahitanga values. They were also given a tour and lecture of Ngākau Māhaki by Kaihautu, Hohepa Renata, which gave them a better understanding of Unitec’s partnership with Māori and relationship with the whenua and people.
“This whare is our whare. Thank you for choosing Unitec,” said Peseta.
MEET OUR NEW STAFF
Chloe Joseph joins Unitec as the Unitec Pathways College team’s new Community and Secondary Schools Liaison.
Originally from Durban, South Africa, Chloe has been living in Hamilton for the last five years completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waikato. She recently moved to Auckland to take up her new role at Unitec.
“It’s a new city, new job, a lot of exciting things ahead and I’m looking forward to the new challenges at Unitec,” she says.
Chloe is not new to working with young people having come from a background of youth work.
“I’ve had prior experience in schools and community engagement helping young people get into education or employment, helping rangitahi connect with each other, stakeholders in the community and education providers,” she explains.
“In my new role I am getting out there and engaging with youth and empowering them to make positive steps to towards their future. I’m excited to be part of the UPC team.”
Chloe says the Unitec whānau “have been lovely and welcoming” since she started which has made the transition easier.
“I thought it would be quite daunting coming to a big place but it doesn’t feel like that because everyone feels really connected with each other. Lot of relationships going on,” adds Chloe.
Andres Sanchez is already eight months into his new role as a Student Advisor with Unitec’s Student Central team. But it was his first time being welcomed on to a marae when he joined last week’s pōwhiri of new kaimahi.
“It was a beautiful experience, and learning about the history of the marae; it really made me feel part of the Unitec whānau,” he says.
Unitec’s close-knit environment is a big reason why he loves working here because family is a big of his culture in Colombia, where he hails from.
“Working at Unitec feels like being part of a family as we are all closely connected”
“Where I’m from, we are very social people, we love to hug. Unitec gives me that energy to be close to people,” he explains.
Andres enjoys his role assisting ākonga with enrolments and course related enquiries.
“I believe in the impact that Unitec is having in the community by helping students to achieve their goals.
Andres has a degree in Sports Science from his hometown of Tuluá, Colombia. He was studying at Med School before deciding it wasn’t for him. Looking at his options overseas, he picked out New Zealand on a map and decided to head here with no prior knowledge of the country or the language.
“I made a call to this agency and they made all the arrangements for me to come to New Zealand and here I am, ten years later,” he laughs.