Retiring lecturer honoured for contributions to Trades and Marae

Past and present Unitec kaimahi, close friends, and a large contingent of Andy Pivac’s family from the Far North (Ngāti Kahu) came to Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae to reflect on his remarkable career and immense contributions.

The trades lecturer is retiring after twenty-five year’s service to Unitec.

Andy was instrumental in the construction of our wharenui, Ngākau Mahaki, from 2002-2009 and setting up trades academies around Tāmaki Makaurau, in Northland and the Bay of Plenty, during the early 2000s.

“My journey through the institute has been an interesting one. I’ve had a finger in so many pies and been involved in a lot of projects, many of which still exist today,” Andy says.

Andy is proud of his role in developing and writing the Bachelor of Applied Technology and teaching on it for many years.

He also reflected on the programmes he helped set up across the motu more than twenty years ago which are still running today, including the relationships built along the way with industry and communities.

“I was in my element even though it wasn’t really in my job description,” he laughs.

Head of School, Building and Construction, Paul Jeurissen, described Andy as a “connector” who was perfect for the role when he interviewed him for the job in 2001. At the time, the school was trying to increase the number of Māori staff to reflect the diversity of the trades workforce.

“It was a no-brainer when we appointed Andy,” Paul reflects. “He was entrepreneurial, had a master’s degree from Waikato and spent many years working with Fletcher Construction. We knew we had to push boundaries to grow and Andy was that person.”

Paul says one of Andy’s impressive abilities was in opening doors to opportunity for others.

“He could go to government bodies and trusts – he wasn’t overawed by anyone. His connectedness and ability to move in the world made us wake up and try new things.”

Paul also said Andy embodied the Te Noho Kotahitanga value of Ngākau Mahaki (a pleasant person who cared for others) which made him popular with kaimahi and ākonga alike.

Head of School, Trades and Services, Lee Baglow says Andy’s experience and wisdom were highly valued and appreciated.

“I am honestly in reverence of everything he’s done for the school. We are losing our kingpin who has so much knowledge and aroha for everything we do,” Lee says.

“His legacy and spirit will continue on within this school, through the industry and the people he has trained.”

Andy also played a crucial role in the construction of Ngākau Mahaki, which began with a chance meeting with renowned Māori master carver, Lyonel Grant (Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa) in 2005.

Lyonel had just been confirmed as the Tohunga Whakairo (Carving Expert) for Ngākau Mahaki and was looking for another person to help lead the construction.

Mr Grant says it was a “serendipitous moment where the key people involved in the wharenui construction came together in the right place at the right time.”

“The whare drew us together and we were just the instruments,” he says.

Andy made a big impression on Lyonel with his ability to lead.

“I want to acknowledge his connection, free spirit and giving his vast knowledge. Andy, you were part of the carving team and it was an honour to work with you,” says Lyonel.

The pair became close friends and Lyonel says he did not hesitate to attend Andy’s farewell even though he was booked to fly to Hawai’i.

Andy singled Lyonel out as the biggest influence on his life.

“He not only helped me to overcome the technical problems of building this whare, he also helped me to overcome challenges in life in general,” says Andy.

“He challenged my way of thinking, my worldview and really pushed me to look at my life and gave me pearls of wisdom.”

Judy Robson-Dean, who was one of the original weavers of the front and back walls of Ngākau Mahaki, says she was very grateful for Andy and Lyonel’s work on the whare.

“It was a long time ago, but only seems like yesterday. It’s not just a building, it’s kainga: a place of connection, a place of love, and a gift for all of us,” she says.

Mr Grant says Andy’s expertise and leadership were evident during one of the pivotal moments of the wharenui’s construction in 2006 when Andy led the Nga Tapuwae. This event brought over 170 volunteers and Unitec kaimahi together to carry seven structural pieces from the carving workshops on the northern end of the Mt Albert campus to the concrete foundation of Ngākau Mahaki in 2006.

Video archive footage of that day was shown with Andy narrating. This brought back a flood of memories for those attending the farewell who had been there that day, almost twenty years ago.

Former Rūnanga chair and MAIA Māori Development Centre Director, Tui Ah Loo described it as a defining moment for Andy.

“We saw Andy shine in his brilliance, organising the team of men and women from all backgrounds. He was right there at the front calling everyone to action and was the kaihautū of the waka that day,” she says.

She also extended her gratitude to Andy on behalf of those people closely involved with the marae who had left Unitec or had passed on, including her parents; Sir John Turei and Lady Te Huinga Turei.

Waiata were sung by both sides at the conclusion of the speeches with the tributes continuing on afterwards in Manaaki as kaimahi, friends and family shared kai.