Competenz, the industry training organisation supporting work-based learning for a wide range of sectors, has been officially welcomed to its new head office on the ground floor of Building 110 at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus.
A pōwhiri for more than 100 Competenz Auckland-based staff was held at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae to formally acknowledge the move, which is part of a Te Pūkenga-wide campus consolidation among its business divisions.
Competenz staff were previously based in Newmarket.
The team was welcomed to the marae with an address by Region One Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga. Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Gus Gilmore, other members of the Unitec and MIT senior leadership team and a large number of kaimahi also attended the pōwhiri.
Amanda Wheeler, Executive Director of Competenz and a Unitec alumna, thanked Unitec for its warm welcome.
“It’s a true blessing to be welcomed into this beautiful whare tupuna, Ngākau Māhaki, the beautiful pā harakeke, Rangimārie, and we’re excited to sit as one within the beautiful wharekai, Manaaki.”
“We bring with us a wealth of knowledge and experience from our work in industry training across nearly 40 diverse sectors.”
“As we move forward, we’re committed to sharing our mahi and learning from each other as we all work in education for the common goal of upskilling the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga added, “Many thanks to our project team who made sure the move went smoothly, and to all of our kaimahi for making Competenz feel at home.”
“We share the same kaupapa and look forward to the inspiring work they will do from this new base at Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka.”
Rikona Andrews and Hohepa Renata oversaw the blessing of the office spaces, including the unveiling of a magnificent Kahu Huruhuru, followed by a shared morning tea with Unitec and Competenz kaimahi.
