The tropics came to Unitec yesterday with the celebration of Staff Excellence Awards in Te Puna.
Partying Club Tropicana-style, more than four hundred staff from Mt Albert and Waitākere campuses gathered to celebrate excellence in teaching, research, service and support.
Head of School Dr Linda Aumua and Community Studies Senior Lecturer Rob Gambolati provided light-hearted and humorous banter as MCs, while other entertainment featured a Tuvaluan dance group.
Awards were presented to kaimahi across thirteen categories, including teaching, research, support, contribution and teamwork.
In his opening address, Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Ilga said staff’s mahi during what had been a busy and challenging year was testament to their commitment.
“Today, we are celebrating you – the people who make Unitec a great place to work and learn. With Te Noho Kotahitanga values at the heart of all we do, our kaimahi take a lot of pride in our work, ākonga support, research and teaching.”
He also recognised Unitec’s Te Whatu Kairangi award winners Dr Joseph Aziz and Jone Tawaketini, saying that their path to the Ako Aotearoa national honours had started by winning their categories at last year’s Staff Excellence Awards.
Excellence in Teaching awards went to Healthcare & Social Practice senior lecturer Madhusudan Vyas, Early Childhood Education senior lecturer Lee-Anne Turton and the New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing Level 3 Team.
The prestigious ‘Unitec Champion’ award was presented to Student Central Manager Jeffrey Wu, in recognition of his compassionate and student-centred approach.
Te Noho Kotahitanga team award was won by the Applied Business Student Support Team, described by judges as a “cross-services team that tirelessly provides academic and pastoral support to both domestic and international ākonga, respecting the culture and traditions of each individual.”
Electrical Engineering technician Raymond Chiu and Timetabling Operations Manager, Hung Ngo, were recognised for their committed service to Unitec with the Sustained Contribution award.
Full list of winners:
Excellence in Research
• Nigel Adams – Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Animal Sciences
Excellence in Early Career Research
• Dr Sameh Shamout – Lecturer, Architecture
Excellence in Teaching
• Madhusudan Vyas — Senior Lecturer, Healthcare & Social Practice
• Lee-Anne Turton — Senior Lecturer, Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood
• New Zealand Certificate in Plumbing Level 3 Team: Jake Curran, John Pepere, David Ryan, Mark Lawson, Richard Boynton, Brian Rowan, Trent Barclay
Excellence in Early Career Teaching
• Vaughan Shepherd — Professional Practice Coordinator | Lecturer
School of Architecture
Excellence in Teaching -Kaupapa Māori
• Maia Ratana – Lecturer, School of Architecture (not yet registered)
Excellence in Support
Supports staff with systems and processes
• Simon Tries – Director Te Korowai Kahurangi
Supports teachers to deliver education
• Jacqui Jansen – Healthcare Business Administrator
Supports students in their journey
• Richard Eriksen – Customer Service Assistant and Lecturer in Construction
Supporting Pacific Learners
• Sana Saleem – Subject Librarian (Pacific)
Outstanding Contribution by a Project Team
• Unitec Rainbow + Ally Network: Amy Jesensek, Laura Harvey, Mirela Szekely, Sofia Chambers, Nathalie Dussart, Rachel Caddy, Rob Gambolati, Sue Crossan, Annette Pitovao, Maree Lightfoot, Chloe Mc Menamin, Claire Bruce, Caralyn Kemp, Nigel Pizzini.
Sustained Outstanding Contribution to Unitec
• Raymond Chiu – Electrical Engineering Technician (not yet registered)
• Hung Ngo – Operations Manager Timetabling
Te Noho Kotahitanga Team Award
• Applied Business Student Support Team — Grace Zhang, Lubna Khan, Cindy Wee, Donna Salmon, Denise McIntyre, Diane Tamati, Mirabel Sygrove, Rokosiga Morrison, Venusi Taumoepeau.
Unitec Champion Award
• Jeffrey Wu – Student Central Manager, Student Support
I was truly honored yesterday to celebrate with my team at Unitec, as I received the Teaching Excellence Award from AKO AOTEAROA. It was a deeply emotional moment, made even more special by the heartfelt remarks of Pesta Executive Director , who highlighted the significance of this achievement. This is the second time I’ve been recognized with this award, but what makes this occasion distinct is sharing it with my incredible team: Dr. Linda Aumua, Head of the School of Healthcare and Social Practice, and Dr. Joanna Thorogood, Medical Imaging Manager.
Receiving this award underscores not just my personal dedication but also the collaborative effort and shared vision that have driven our success. I am profoundly grateful to Pesta, Martin Carroll, James Oldfield, and my friends and students who have consistently supported and believed in me. This acknowledgment inspires me to continue striving for excellence in teaching and to make a lasting impact within the Unite community. Thank you once again for this recognition—it means the world to me.