Pip Laufiso

Bachelor of Applied Management (Distinction) (2019)
Education Advisor Priority Students Otago Southland Region, Ministry of Education, Dunedin

Pip has been involved in a wide range of community-based organisations, initiatives and activities locally and nationally for many years, with her key interests focused on arts and education. With over 30 years’ experience in New Zealand education across all sectors, she has strong links with early childhood services, primary and secondary schools in Dunedin and Invercargill, and has an extensive educational network of individuals, organisations and institutions both regionally and nationally. She has actively worked to promote and develop positive cross-cultural relationships with a specific focus on Tauiwi/Pakeha knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Pip has built strong networks across the arts including music, theatre and visual arts. She has managed several concerts, tours and festivals, and has been a long-standing event coordinator and trustee of the Otago Polyfest, actively promoting Māori and Pasifika culture.

Tara Viggo

Bachelor of Design (Fashion) (Distinction) (2005)
Designer, sustainable business owner and patternmaker

Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Design in 2005 and was selected that year as a finalist in the iD International Emerging Designer Awards. She received the Mittelmoda Award in Italy later that year. Tara took up an internship at Zambesi before moving to London, where she worked as a pattern cutter for over 12 years, creating looks for some of the world’s most famous fashion brands. Tara offers a sustainable approach to fashion that also advocates for much greater body size and shape diversity. In 2017 Tara established Paper Theory, an online platform providing original, printable pattern files at a reasonable cost for the home sewer. She also supports Fashion Awareness Direct Ltd, a charitable organisation that provides garment industry instruction to teens, helping them gain employment experience in the apparel industry.

Mere Taana-Jouanides

Bachelor of Social Services (2019)
Care & Protection & Youth Justice Coordinator, Oranga Tamariki

Mere was instrumental in developing the Corstorphine Community Hub and setting it up as Charitable Trust. She works with whanau, volunteers, and support agencies, managing these relationships with sensitivity and a strong awareness of what is needed for her community. Mere has been successful in securing funding for the Hub. She has set out to create a community where whanau are engaged and self-determining, where they can build strength and support each other and thus realise their potential.

Eterei Stonelake

Bachelor of Applied Management (2019)
McDonalds Franchisee

Eterei Stonelake is the co-owner of six McDonald’s restaurants. The employer of more than 500 people, Eterei is a generous and creative instigator of a wide variety of community initiatives, and is deeply committed to the wellbeing of others. Eterei “gives back” with passion, commitment and dedication. A key focus of her efforts is Ronald McDonald House Charities and the community involvement in fundraising activities to support them. Her business reinvests $300K into the community annually through a variety of sponsorships. Eterei’s personal statement is: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

Craig Scott

Bachelor of Communication Design (Distinction) (2009)
Head of Exhibitions and Creative Services at Otago Museum

Craig started an internship at Otago Museum in 2007 and has moved relatively swiftly through the ranks to his current position as Head of Exhibitions and Creative Services, a role created specifically for him. Craig has led the development of all the Museum’s major exhibitions over the past five years, and has won multiple national design awards for innovation and creativity.

He is an active member of the wider design community and has played a key role in the expansion of Dunedin design culture through his work as a coordinator of Design Kids Dunedin and as Chair of Dunedin Design Inc, a team of Dunedin Designers who run the Guild Design Store. Most recently, he joined Hoe Ākau of Dunedin Dream Brokerage, further supporting creative projects in the City. Craig continues to give his time to the polytechnic’s School of Design, and is a member of the school’s Permanent External Advisory Committee.

Karla Meharry

Bachelor of Applied Management (Strategic Management) (Dist) (2019)
Business Consultant

Following senior management roles in some of the largest manufacturing firms in Australasia, Karla Meharry returned home to the Bay of Plenty to work in and for her community. Karla has worked with many Bay of Plenty firms, elevating some to international prominence, and others to become award-winning businesses. In an area where there has been extremely high deprivation and high unemployment, she has introduced training and work readiness programmes. Karla has also used her skills on a volunteer basis. Her organisation Karma Cuisine has raised over $30K for community groups. As the previous president of the Chamber of Commerce, Karla built robust relationships in central and local government which she has used to help the community overcome disasters, such as the Edgecumbe Floods, and very recently the forced property retreat in Matata.

Ana Mapusua

Bachelor of Applied Management (Project Management) (Dist) (2019)
Project Manager - Methodist Mission Southern

Ana Mapusua has been heavily involved in Pasifika and community initiatives including facilitating programmes and workshops, undertaking voluntary work with youth and whanau, delivering food parcels to families, working with people affected by suicide and mentoring Pasifika youth. Ana is also an active community advocate and as a Project Manager continues to work effortlessly in the space of Social Justice not only regionally but also in other parts of Aotearoa.

Ana has also contributed to the 2018 Education Review, she was the 2018 Cancer Relay for Life Ambassador, for a number of years YWCA Angel Fund Manager and mentor for women. She gives tirelessly to the Otago and wider Dunedin community.

Fautino Winnie Maeata'anoa

Bachelor of Social Services (Dist) (2019)
Stop Smoking Specialist/Community Worker

Along with being a pastor of the Grace Community Church, Winnie is regarded as the most experienced stop-smoking specialist in Aotearoa. A respected practitioner, Winnie also mentors her colleagues. She has a reputation in her community of practice for her ability to facilitate change in the lives of at-risk whanau. Alongside her husband Esera, Winnie has organised a drop-in Op Shop and a Saturday morning breakfast for the local community. Winnie, who is also a champion for the Pasifika community, is described as a “precious treasure” by her colleagues.

Esera Maeata'anoa

Bachelor of Social Services (Dist) (2019)
Lead Support Navigator, VisionWest Community Trust

Esera is a champion for the Pasifika community in Auckland. He is known for his pastoral care work within his church community, and for housing for homeless in the wider community. Esera and his wife, Winnie, are pastors of the Grace Community Church. They run community breakfasts on Saturday mornings, feeding their community and attracting people from every walk of life. Esera has also worked with the VisionWest Community Trust. By building trusting relationships, Esera has been able to guide people from being chronically homeless to leading stabilised lives. Esera’s framework of practice is underpinned by Tautua – the Samoan Cultural Framework for Practice. This is based on the understanding that the path to leadership is through service

Barb (Barbara) Long

Diploma in Nursing (1988)
Chief Executive, Corstorphine Baptist Trust

Barb has held leadership and management roles in the primary and community health and social services sector for the past 17 years. With a background in mental health, Barb has a history of appointments as a community member of health advisory panels, and elected representation on the Board of Youthline Otago. Barb is currently Chair of the Strengthening Families Operations Group, Chair of the Dunedin and South Otago Mental Health and Addictions Network, a member of Alliance South Mental Health and Addictions Network, Chair of the Kavanagh College Board of Trustees and Deputy Chair of the Otago Community Trust. Barb is passionate about facilitating change and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Judy Kumeroa-Tichbon

Bachelor of Applied Management (2017), Master of Professional Practice (2019)
Manager, Te Ora Hou Aotearoa

Judy’s colleagues describe her as an unsung hero who never courts the limelight – she is too busy bringing change to her community for that. Judy's commitment to rangatahi development has manifested as 30-plus years of service to her community. During her master’s study Judy developed a leadership model. Based on her own practice and the practice of others who have been successful in the community leadership space, the model will help support those who support our young people. Judy and her husband Greg are known as people who will open up their home to those in need. Judy’s colleagues say, “At the heart of leadership live the values of Tika: doing what is right, Pono: doing it with integrity, and Aroha: doing it out of love in a way that brings life to others. All of these things Judy lives and breathes daily.”

Linda Kinniburgh

Master of Nursing (2007), Certificate in Mata a ao Māori (2011)
Principal Lecturer Otago Polytechnic

Linda completed her training as a registered general and obstetric nurse at Dunedin Hospital and was a ward sister before being employed by Otago Polytechnic more than 36 years ago. She has since held a variety of leadership positions both within the School of Nursing as well as the wider polytechnic. In 1990 Linda contributed to the establishment of the first formalised Treaty-based partnership between the local runaka and the School of Nursing. Her knowledge of Te Ao Māori and tikanga, and her willingness to use her experience in workshops for Te Tititi o Waitangi, enabled the School of Nursing to become a leader in the implementation of Māori content with a focus on hauora. Linda’s national profile as a nursing leader within organisations such as NZ Nurses Organisation, Nursing Council of NZ and Nurse Educators in the Tertiary Sector enabled her to contribute to the direction of nursing education in Aotearoa.

Melanie Jans

Bachelor of Applied Management (Business Transformation and Change) (Dist) (2017)
ACE Sector Leader, Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme)

Melanie is a life-long learner and national leader in community adult education. A community development expert, Mel advocated to make Internet services available in rural Eastern Bay of Plenty communities, where it was considered impossible to have coverage. She negotiated service delivery, organised funding and created education opportunities that did not exist before. In other remote communities Mel worked with Government and Iwi to create training spaces, and enabled delivery of education from certificates to degrees. Mel is fluent in Te Reo Māori and consistently demonstrates tikanga. She is known for being authentic, making change, and bringing hope to people’s lives.

Dr. Celia Grigg

Bachelor of Midwifery (1994), Master of Midwifery (2005)
Midwife and Research Fellow

Celia graduated from the first cohort of the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at Otago Polytechnic and returned to complete her Master of Midwifery in 2005. She has an outstanding reputation as a midwife-academic and researcher, firmly grounded in her experience as a practising midwife for over 20 years. She has produced an impressive record of international research, has been a reviewer for several midwifery journals, and is a contributing author in all four editions of the key textbook “Midwifery – Preparation for Practice”. Celia graduated with a PhD in 2015 and took a position as a research fellow on Midwifery-led Units project at the University of Nottingham, UK. On returning to New Zealand she was appointed Research Fellow at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland

Professor Marion Gray

Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Merit) (1994), Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Distinction) (2000)
Associate Dean (Clinical) in the Faculty of Health Engineering and Sciences and Professor (Allied Health) in the School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Southern Queensland.

Marion’s contribution to the occupational therapy profession and to the wider community has been significant. After completing her PhD in Public Health, Marion took up a postdoctoral position in Washington DC and developed a career both as a researcher and a lecturer. Marion is recognised both nationally and internationally as a researcher. She has contributed to 68 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters. Her CV details numerous distinctions and prizes and a total of 47 invited addresses and conference papers during her career. She has also been successful in obtaining $1.35M in research grants during that time. Marion recently reconnected with the School of Occupational Therapy by becoming an External Moderator.

Anita Grafton

Bachelor of Social Services, Counselling (Dist) (2019)
Consultant

Anita’s consultancy business includes project design and delivery, counselling, supervision, training, clinical guidance, teaching and learning. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Hons), a postgraduate certificate in education, and an advanced Higher Diploma in Counselling. Anita’s career highlights include her work as Clinical Manager of the Drug Treatment Unit at Arohata Prison, her research on Pasifika models of health, and her collaboration with Wellington Community Corrections. Anita speaks English, five Indian languages and Te Reo Māori.

Lori Fretwell

Bachelor of Social Services (2019)
Whānau Engagement Coordinator, Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme)

Eastbay REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) is an education-focused community and social development organisation. Described as an outstanding member of the Eastbay REAP team who drives cross-sector participation, Lori has worked with at-risk families over the last

eight years, and has been instrumental in the development of a service that has been a life changer for vulnerable children and their families. The Mana Aki model of information sharing and interagency discussion is designed to keep children engaged, attending and achieving in education. She has also developed an initiative for vulnerable Year 8 students to facilitate their transition from intermediate to secondary school.

Dr Tim Barlow

Diploma in Fine Arts (Hons) Sculpture (1994)
Artist

After completing his Diploma in Fine Arts, Tim went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts and a Doctorate from Massey University. Tim’s experience is both international and community-based. He has volunteered at Te Rangatahi Learning Centre, an alternative education programme for at-risk teens, and in 2014 he became involved in Hutt City’s Summer Festival as Director of the water festival. He has been commissioned by public art commissioners, and his Open Source Water Well was selected for inclusion in the Sculpture on the Gulf 2019 Biennial Outdoor Sculpture exhibition on Waiheke Island. Tim is currently participating in an Artist in Residence programme as part of the Dunedin School of Art’s 150th celebration.

Hayden Chapman

Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Activity, Health and Wellness) (2014)
Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Performance Analysis and Physical Conditioning) (2015)
All Blacks Assistant Performance Analyst, Highlanders Performance Analyst

After gaining a Graduate Diploma in Applied Science, specialising in performance analysis and physical conditioning, Hayden was employed as a Performance Analyst for the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise. Hayden has remained with The Highlanders, and has also worked with the All Blacks for the past two years, becoming a key member of the management team. Hayden’s career trajectory is unprecedented. He is known as a consummate professional, and is a positive role model for the Otago Polytechnic students who have followed in his footsteps.

Hayden Croft

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching (2013)
Head, Institute of Sports, Exercise and Health, Otago Polytechnic

Multiple Otago Sports Award winner Hayden Croft has a degree and a master’s degree in physical education, and is currently working towards his PhD in performance analysis. Hayden’s expertise lies in advancing coaching through innovative technologies and performance analysis. This has included work with the Silver Ferns Netball, All Blacks, Highlanders, Otago Rugby, World Rugby and Southern Steel Netball. Hayden is currently the Performance Analyst for the Silver Ferns Netball team and was part of the team that won the 2019 Netball World Cup and the NZ Halberg Awards Team and Supreme awards. He is also Chairperson for the Oceania branch of the International Society of Performance Analysis in Sport