Archive for 2022

Events

CELEBRATE ART 2022 Otago Secondary Schools Art Awards Exhibition 2022 (August 16 2022)

CELEBRATE ART 2022 Otago Secondary Schools
Art Awards Exhibition 2022
EXHIBITION DATES 16th - 25th August 2022

AWARDS CEREMONY Tuesday 23rd August,
5-7pm - prizegiving: 6pm

DSA GALLERY.,Ground Floor, P Block, Riego Street (off Albany St)
Dunedin

GALLERY HOURS 10am - 4pm Mon - Fri

Masks are required to be worn at all times
Publications launch (July 19 2022)

Our annual publications launch will be held on Tuesday 29 November 2022 at 4:30pm
This year we are celebrating the launch of the following publications:
- Kelli and Adrian's edited book Our Sacred Māori Voices
- Geoff Simons' book From Onions and Bamas to AU Broncos: A History of Community Rugby in North Dunedin
- Junctures: Journal of Thematic Dialogue issue 22
- Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Work-based Learning) issue 3
- Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design) issue 22
- Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Learning & Teaching) issue 11
- Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Health & Wellbeing) issue 7
- Scope: Contemporary Research Topics special issue Technologies
- Rere Āwhio: Journal of Applied Research issue 2
- The OPSITARA Research Symposium 2022 Book of Abstracts
Please register your attendance by emailing Rhina Chan.
OPSITARA research symposium 14-15 July 2022 (July 5 2022)

We are delighted to present the attached final programme for OPSITARA 2022, which we have incorporated into the book of abstracts. This is available online here and also as a PDF. We encourage your attendance to support your colleagues in our three institutions and we are confident you will find some topics of interest and relevance to you.
To accommodate as many as possible, the programme includes a mix of 15 and 5 minute presentations. The 15 min presentations will be live online, on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 July. The 5 minute presentations will be prerecorded and available for watching on Thursday 14 July, followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion with 5 minute presenters on Friday 15 July. This is similar to a poster session.
These links are open, so please encourage colleagues and stakeholders to attend this symposium. Registration is not required.
Jenny Aimers and Lesley Brook
OPSITARA 2022 Organising Committee
Tip: If you don’t have it already, we recommend adding the “back” function to your Adobe Acrobat toolbar for navigating the links in this PDF. Right click on the toolbar, select “Show Page Navigation Tools”, then select “Previous View”.
Jean Ross' Inaugural Professorial Lecture (June 14 2022)

We warmly invite you to join us at our upcoming inaugural professorial event:
Professor Jean Ross - Collaborating with Communities: Communities Collaborating a Global-Local Impact
Dr Jean Ross works at the intersection of clinical practice, research and education in the context of communities. Communities may be place-based but also include groups with common interests which are not limited geographically. In this lecture Jean will discuss the impact of her communities on her research and practice, and her own impact on a wide range of communities in New Zealand and internationally.
Forming connections between communities is a key focus, whether that is between rural nurses and rural GPs, between nursing educators in many countries, and between learners and rural communities, to enable mutually beneficial development. Jean will challenge current inequities in health, particularly as experienced in rural communities, and present creative solutions that empower communities.
Professor Jean Ross has been working at Otago Polytechnic since 2003. She is a Registered Nurse, holds a BN and a Master of Arts, and completed her Doctorate in 2017. From 1994 to 2003, Jean was co-director of the National Centre for Rural Health and instrumental in the development of interdisciplinary postgraduate nursing education. In 2008, she received the Rural General Practice Network Peter Snow Memorial Award in recognition of her national contribution to rural health care. Jean continues to make a significant contribution to rural health care and sustainable community development.
Date: Wednesday 20 July 2022
Time: 5.30pm, to be followed by celebratory drinks and a light supper
Venue: The Hub, Otago Polytechnic, Forth Street, Dunedin
RSVP: By Friday 15 July 2022 by email or online registration
If you are unable to attend but would like access to a video recording of the lecture afterwards, please let us know.
Image credit: Southstack lighthouse, by "Deiz92". Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license 2.0 Generic.
Songs of Rupture (May 31 2022)

The Anteroom in Koputai Port Chalmers presents Songs of Rupture, a new 7 channel video installation by artist David Green featuring live responses by a selection of Ōtepoti Dunedin sound artists curated by Ro Rushton-Green.
Songs of Rupture deploys mash-ups of digital video published by various interest groups and news bureaus to assert conflicting positions. Online videos feature scientific, technological, and industrial practices that exemplify humanity’s blow out pre-technological terrestrial and scalar boundaries on every frontier. Divided into stations, windows of mouth blown glass are used as 3 way projection screens, fragmenting sound and image to recombine throughout the Anteroom. By projecting, refracting, and reflecting images of modernity responses by an array of live Dunedin sound artists, the Anteroom gathers to witness the vibrant state of rupture in which we all abide.
Technological breakthroughs generate seismic waves that affect all of life on Earth. Artifacts of modernity etched onto the geological record have some scientists labelling our current epoch “The Anthropocene”. They claim that our sub-species is shaping the planet as no other has since life began. We summon oil, gas, and coal from the Earth like demons unbound to warm ourselves on primeval life’s long forgotten days in the sun. To increase the yield, hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” decimates rock boundaries that also separate oil and gas from reserves of potable water. Ensuing climate change brings the acceleration of land wars precipitated and echoed by disputes of a larger scale between sea and shore, desert and forest, domicile and floodplain. Every incursion in turn rocks the political balance, washing tides of humanity over others and onto the margins of our finite terrestrial sphere. We use atoms to breach atoms in order to release the energy bound up in matter while nanotechnologies and GMO interventions continue to exceed all limits of scale. At the same time we build new walls, filters, and nets: man-made boundaries designed to surgically contain or exclude. While we passively screen all this and more, multi-billionaires sing of Mars and clamber over each other to penetrate the far edges of Earth's atmosphere just because they can.
Philosopher Bernard Stiegler postulated that whole new languages can develop from emergent recording technologies as they come into common use. Online video is a prime example of this phenomenon. Media is easily accessed, downloaded, fragmented, reworked, and uploaded again making digital moving image the new alphabet for use in highly accessible, multi-modal conversations. Feminist scholars Donna Harraway and Karen Barad argue for diffraction as an effective method for gaining critical insight through difference. In Songs of Rupture the frontiers of science, technology, and commerce glance off each other, disarticulating linear arguments to reveal new meaning in fragments of sound, text and image.
Opening:
Thursday, June 9, 5:30pm
Performances:
- Friday, June 10, 7pm *Gabriel Griffin, Guardians and Dante
- Saturday, June 11, 7pm *Ultraspikes, GRVDGGR, Bum in Face Festival
- Sunday, June 12, 3pm *Demons Keep Out, A dream is like a Magic Cloak, The Ladder is Part of the Pit
Koha on entry supports the performers.
the Anteroom
29 Wickliffe Terrace
Koputai Port Chalmers 9023
@anteroomprojectartspace
Online Research Seminar (April 13 2022)

All are welcome to join this free online research seminar organised by the School of Midwifery
Where: On Teams Click here to join the meeting
When: Monday 2 May, 1-2pm
Presenter: Dr Justine Camp
Title: Moemoeā and Co-Designing the New Dunedin Hospital (NDH)
Presentation: Justine will outline the Moemoeā, a Māori led, ritual based, A Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) sleep study. She will summarise the three pou that are being tested by 600 whānau across the country. These are Rongo time, Uru time and whanau support. Moemoeā is one of two projects that have resulted from the findings of her PhD. The second is the New Dunedin Hospital. Using the Maternity departments, Justine will discuss the tools whanau need to transition through the patient pathways.
Bio: Justine Camp, (Kai Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha) is The Associate Dean Māori for the Department of Medicine, and a Research Fellow at the University of Otago as the Māori lead for Moemoeā, a Māori led sleep project. Her previous fellowships included A Better Start National Science Challenge, Big data, exploring the use of big data and its impact Māori, and Brain Research New Zealand exploring whānau perspectives on neurostimulation and neurosurgery. She holds several governance rolls. Justine is also part of a mana whenua design team who work with on the co-design for the New Dunedin Hospital. She is a mother of one and a Taua of one.
Research Seminar (March 22 2022)

All are welcome to join this free online research seminar organised by the School of Midwifery
Where: On Teams Click here to join the meeting
When: Monday 28 March, 1-2pm
Presentation 1: Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau and Sally Baddock
Title: Resilience and wellbeing of staff from five institutions across the Te Pūkenga network during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Short description: The strict nationwide COVID-19 lockdown that began in March 2020 in Aotearoa New Zealand required staff from tertiary education institutions to immediately adapt and move their teaching and professional activities online, as well as maintain social contact remotely. In this presentation we will share results that focused on resilience and wellbeing from surveys across 5 institutions.
Bios:
Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau is a PhD student in Public Health at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland. She works at the Eastern Institute of Technology as Project Manager of the Nourishing HB: He wairua tō te kai project which uses systems thinking and Indigenous knowledge to engage community for improved nutrition and wellbeing for children and youth in the region.
Sally Baddock is Professor in the College of Health and Research & Postgraduate Studies. She was project lead for the Covid research collaboration and is coordinator for the Health and Wellbeing Working Group of the Rangahau Research Forum which aims to build research collaborations across the sector.
Presentation 2: Lorna Davies, Rea Daellenbach and Maggie Meeks
Title: Interprofessional education - the why, the where and the how.
Short description: Interprofessional education (IPE) is being increasingly lauded internationally and closer to home as a way of improving collaboration in healthcare and advancing quality of care and services. Yet in spite of this IPE has not been universally embedded into the undergraduate health education in Aotearoa. In this presentation we will introduce our interprofessional research project which set out to explore how midwifery and medical students view each other's roles using a simulation activity to stimulate interaction and collaboration.
Bios:
Dr Lorna Davies is a midwife and academic within the School of Midwifery at OP. Her specialist research area areas are sustainability and midwifery, sustainability literacy, midwifery workforce issues and midwifery education.
Dr Rea Daellenbach is a sociologist who teaches into midwifery and postgraduate health programs at Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her research interests include women’s choices for childbirth and the professionalisation of midwifery.
Maggie Meeks has a clinical role as a neonatal paediatrician at Christchurch Women’s Hospital and educational roles in undergraduate and postgraduate simulation training. She has a particular interest in interprofessional simulation for developing teamwork.
Take home a Dave from “The Four Daves” auction (February 21 2022)

“The Four Daves”

We are pleased to offer by auction “The Four Daves” by artist Richard Budd, which have stood proudly on Plinths in the quad at Otago Polytechnic since February 2020.

The Daves are to be sold separately by silent auction via email bids.

The auction is offered to staff through the OP intranet, and by invitation to Friends and Patrons of the Dunedin School of Art Foundation.

Sale proceeds will be used to support the making of the next commission.

2021 Art School BFA graduate Dillon Waddell has been selected for the next installation for The Plinths, and his sculptures will be installed early in April.

The Four Plinths provide a space for our School of Art graduates to install a temporary exhibition. Each year a graduate is selected from the SITE exhibition which then provides the inspiration for the artwork they create for the Plinths.

How to bid
The starting bid for each Dave is $250. You can bid for one or more.
The highest bid gets to take home their chosen Dave.

For a close up look, feel free to view them in the Quad.

During working hours, access from Harbour Terrace or the OP Hub, main entrance on Forth Street, from 8 am – 5 pm. After hours access from Harbour Terrace.

Please email your bid to paula.petley@op.ac.nz with the name of the Dave and the amount.
Otago Polytechnic staff can keep up to date with bid progress at this link. DSAF bidders can contact Paula directly who will let you know if your bid status changes.

Current bids
As at 18 February 2022:

Dave Blue                           $300.00                              (Reserve met)
Dave Wood                       $250.00 /Reserve
Dave Concrete                $300.00                              (Reserve met)
Dave Steel                          $250.00/ Reserve

The highest current bid will be updated regularly on OP’s intranet page Tuhono, and on the DSA webpage, so you will be able to check if you have been outbid.

Auction will close on Friday 25 March at 4 pm.

Successful bidders will need to arrange collection of their Dave/s.

If you are interested to read more about these sculptures, please see ‘The Story of the Daves’ PDF.
Online Midwifery Research Seminar (February 17 2022)

All are welcome to join this free online research seminar organised by the School of Midwifery
Where: On Teams Click here to join the meeting
When: Monday 21 January, 1-2pm
Presenter 1: Associate Professor Suzanne Miller
Title: “Birth in the time of Covid-19: Midwives’ experiences of providing maternity care during the pandemic.”
Presentation: The 'Birth in the Time of Covid-19' Research Team comprised a group of researchers from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) and Otago Polytechnic Ltd. who undertook semi-structured interviews with midwives, student midwives and families about their experiences of providing or receiving pregnancy, birth and/or postnatal care during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. In this presentation Suzanne will present the findings from the interviews with midwives on behalf of the research team. Suzanne Miller is Associate Professor and Leader of the Postgraduate Programmes in the School of Midwifery.
Presenter 2: Professor Sally Baddock
Title: The benefits and disadvantages of mask wearing to protect against COVID-19 in infants and young children.
Presentation: Face masks are strongly recommended across the globe to protect against COVID-19, however there is limited evidence regarding mask-wearing in children or the age that this can be done safely. This paper explores the evidence around mask wearing in young children and identifies the recommendations from a range of organisations and countries. The paper was developed by a collaboration of researchers from the physiology and epidemiology working groups of the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID) and will be presented by Professor Sally Baddock from the School of Midwifery and Research and Postgraduate Studies.
Online workshops from ATEM (September 1 2020)

The Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) is a professional body in Australasia for tertiary education professional staff and managers. The Aotearoa branch is offering two online workshops in September and October that may be of interest to OP staff.
Thinking and acting courageously and Leaders leading self in challenging times.
Workshop fees for affiliates are $20.00. OP is a corporate member of ATEM and our membership offers staff affiliate rates for professional development workshops and events.
Thinking and Acting Courageously
The tertiary education context of 2020 has been particularly challenging. We have had the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, job losses, students unable to enter the country, serious financial challenges, and an ongoing precarity in relation to employment.
So how do we create the context and the practice in which we and our staff can think courageously, act courageously, and reflect courageously? And why would we bother when our other option is to go into survival mode and just look to last until the end of the year?
This workshop led by Dr Antony Nobbs, Associate Director Student Development at Auckland University of Technology, is an opportunity to engage with and reflect on what it means to think and to act courageously within what is a particularly challenging time for the Tertiary education sector, and why this might be essential for any path we chart in the coming years.
Antony is an engaging presenter and his doctorate completed in 2017 was on Addressing the Issue of Structural Injustice Within the University Context.
WHEN: Wednesday 16 September 2020 1-2:30pm
COST: Members $20; Affiliates $20; Public $100
WHERE: Online (via Zoom)
Click here to register
Leaders leading self in challenging times
Mindful Leadership Masterclass with Dr Therese Walkinshaw.

Mindful leadership is a relatively new concept in western thinking. Mindfulness helps leaders to become present and authentic in their own leading. Mindfulness has proved to be significant for leaders who choose to integrate it into their everyday leading by becoming kinder, more reflective and creative by seeing meaning in the work they do.
In these times of flux and turmoil many of us are running on empty, stressed and exhausted. In some ways this is even more so for our leaders who are expected to be compassionate and engaged with their people while making challenging decisions and communicating in a sensitive and timely manner.
The aim of these sessions is to reflect as a group about the impact of mindfulness as leaders in a time of significant change. What can we do to ensure we rest, reflect, and take appropriate actions to stay in a positive and productive space? This series will give you tools and guidance on how to ensure you as leaders are in a space of creativity and new thinking to help your organisation and team moving forward.
WHEN:
Session 1: 14 October: 12 – 1.30pm
Stop! What am I experiencing right now as a leader? How do I stay present?

Session 2: 27 October: 12pm – 1pm
What does it mean to include self-reflection as part of my leading? How will this help me in
being a leader who brings my team forward positively?

Session 3: 10 November: 12pm – 1pm
Actions, what does it mean? Why is it so important to take that next step, even in a time of
challenge?

COST: Members $20; Affiliates $20; Public $100
WHERE: Online (via Zoom)
Click here to register.
Career Expo (August 10 2020)

Speak to our friendly tutors about your study options and career goals!
We have a range of tutors from different subjects available in the in the Hub at Polytechnic for a chat and for guidance on you potential next steps after school.

News

Notice of Meetings (November 19 2020)

Members of the public are entitled to attend board meetings subject to section 48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA). The meeting agenda and associated reports (if any) will be available at least two working days before the meeting on request by emailing jeanette.corson@op.ac.nz.
Here are details of the meeting scheduled to be held next month. The list is updated every month (not more than 14 days and not less than 5 days before the end of every month as required under section 46(1) of LGOIMA.

Date

Meeting

Time

20 August 2021

Otago Polytechnic Limited Board

Hokonui Marae

140 Charlton Road, Gore

Please contact jeanette.corson@op.ac.nz if you would like to attend.

11.00am
Prof Jo Kirkwood's Inaugural Professorial Lecture (August 1 2022)

We warmly invite you to join us at our upcoming inaugural professorial event. Jo Kirkwood is speaking on "Is Tall Poppy Syndrome holding NZ back?"
Date: Thursday 1 September 2022
Time: 5.30pm
Online: This event will be livestreamed
RSVP: By Tuesday 30 August by email or online registration
If you are unable to attend the livestream but would like access to a video recording of the lecture afterwards, please let us know.

Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS) is a tendency to begrudge, resent, or mock people of great success, talent, or status and is often described as being an Australasian phenomenon. There has been limited research on TPS in New Zealand to date, but what has been conducted is around entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and in the creative sector with a study of female comedians. It is unclear how widespread TPS is across New Zealand as no pre-existing data is available for the general population. However, a recent survey of New Zealand Instagram users (predominantly younger people) found that 45% of respondents believed they had been victims of TPS.

At the end of 2021, the debate about Tall Poppy Syndrome increased again in the media and social media, concerning the tragic case of a young entrepreneur who died by suicide. The government was also urging New Zealanders to “be kind” in the face of the Covid pandemic. Jo Kirkwood's recent collaborative research has been finding out how people experience TPS, what impact TPS is having on New Zealand society and economy, and what, if anything, can be done about reducing TPS.

This presentation will discuss the findings of the study and suggest possibilities for how we may change the conversation around success and TPS in New Zealand.

Professor Jo Kirkwood has been working in higher education in New Zealand for 25 years. She is experienced in teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and has particular interest and expertise in facilitation, academic mentoring and assessment at the postgraduate level. Jo's research has focused on women entrepreneurs / mumpreneurs, Tall Poppy Syndrome and its impact on entrepreneurs and sustainable entrepreneurs / ecopreneurs.
Call for submissions for IFFTI 2023 (August 1 2022)

This is the Call for Submissions for the 25th Annual Conference of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) to be hosted by Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand, 3rd to 6th April 2023.
Kaupapa / Theme: Ara Honohono / Connecting Pathways
The kaupapa (theme or philosophy) of the 25th Annual IFFTI conference is Ara Honohono / Connecting Pathways. Te Ara is a Māori word that means path or route but can also refer to a line of traditional Māori weaving. Honohono means to link, to join, to splice, to add and to join together. Kaupapa also refers to the main body of a kākahu (traditional Māori cloak).
Ara Honohono / Connecting Pathways is a call to fashion researchers, practitioners, and educators to reflect on
connections, patterns, pathways and threads that bind us to our past and link us to our future, to culture, to
people, to place, to practice.
Mātauraka Māori (Māori knowledge and wisdom) is central to the conference theme and Māori tikaka and kawa
(Māori protocols and local knowledge) will be integrated into conference activities.
We acknowledge the guidance and protection of local Māori - Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha - who are mana
whenua, meaning they have the mana (authority) over the land (whenua). Kai Tahu dialect is used throughout.
Kaupapa āpiti /Sub-themes
1. Lines to the Past, Present, Future
  He tāoka tuku iho: The treasures passed down to us from the ancestors, those tried and true wisdoms
  of old.
  What and who grounds us in our practice?
  How does the past inform the future in the context of the fashion industry?
  How can technology ensure that fashion remains relevant in the future?
2. Diversity of Voice
  Kahikatea tū i te uru: Strength in numbers
  Fashion as voice and an agent – for indigenous peoples, for the under-represented, for change, for
  power and influence.
  How can we be open to different voices and learn from each other?
3. Accountability, Responsibility, Courage
  He manawa tītī; A person with great endurance
  What are our responsibilities as designers, makers, influencers, educators and consumers within the
  wider fashion eco-system?
  How do we advocate for a sustainable fashion future?
Important to consider:
 What can our ākonga/learners bring to these conversations?
 How can both practice and/or theory successfully address these sub-themes.
Conference Format
The conference will be held in real life (IRL) in Dunedin, New Zealand and with the option to present and attend online.
We welcome submissions in the following categories:
1. Text-based full papers
2. Text-based developmental papers
3. Creative practice as image, film, artefact, or performance
4. Poster: to be presented digitally at the conference
5. Workshop: this year, we invite colleagues to propose workshops that will be incorporated into the
conference program. They will involve participants working together on a subject or skill that is relevant
to one of the conference themes. There should be at least two organisers to facilitate the workshop, and
one of the organisers must be from an IFFTI institution.
Multiple submissions are welcome
Abstracts
Abstracts are required for all submissions and are to be submitted by 3 October 2022. In order to facilitate evaluation, authors are requested to indicate which subtheme(s) their abstract addresses and identify themselves as senior faculty, early career researcher or doctoral researcher. Please be aware that full papers will be due by 11 December 2022.
Download the full details here, including:
- Abstract guidelines
- Review process
- General requirements for full and developmental papers, practice-based submissions, workshops and posters
Copyright
All papers presented at the Conference will be published. At the time of submission of full papers, authors are
required to undertake a copyright agreement with IFFTI and the host institution. The text of this agreement will be available at the 2023 IFFTI Conference website www.iffti2023.co.nz.
Scope Journal
Selected submissions from IFFTI 2023 will be invited to publish in Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design) Fashion special issue Te Ara Honohono, to be published in November 2023. https://thescopes.org/journal/art-and-design/art-and-design21
Deadline for Authors to Register to Attend
At least one author from each accepted submission must register to attend the IFFTI 2023 Conference by 1st
March 2023. Accepted papers without at least one registered author will be withdrawn and will not be included in the conference proceedings. After this point withdrawn submissions will not be reinstated.
Normal hours resume Monday 18 July 2022 for Tapaue (July 1 2022)

Normal hours resume Monday 18 July 2022 for Tapaue Gym located in the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health

Mon to Fri 6 am - 8 pm

Sat 9 am - 12 pm

Door opens on the start time and locks 30 minutes prior.
Tapaue Gym Break Hours 4-16 July 22 (July 1 2022)

Due to the break between semesters hours are reduced slightly from Monday 4 July to Sat 16 July.
Normal hours resume Monday 18 July 2022
Mon 6 am - 8 pm
Tues 8 am - 4:30 pm
Wed 6 am - 8 pm
Thurs 8 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 6 am - 4:30 pm
Sat 9 am - 12 pm
Door opens on the start time and locks 30 minutes prior.
Māori research symposium 2022 (April 27 2022)

KIA HIWA RᾹ! KIA HIWA RᾹ!
Theme: Tino Rakatirataka: thinking and practicing sovereignty and self-determination.
Te Kura Matatini ki Otago (Otago Polytechnic) bi-annual Māori Research Symposium provides a valuable opportunity for kairakahau Māori (Māori researchers) and scholars to present research and connect with each other.

The objectives of the OP Māori Symposium are to:
- Nurture research conducted by kaimahi Māori (Māori staff) and tauira (students) from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Provide opportunities to share Māori research fields and expertise.
- Showcase the depth and breadth of Māori-led and Māori partnered research.
- Explore the range of research being conducted to empower our communities.
This is the fourth Māori symposium hosted by Te Kura Matatini ki Otago, following Tā Moko in 2014, Mauri Ora 2018, and Kaitiakitaka 2020.
This year’s Māori Research Symposium will be held on October 17, exploring the theme of tino rakatirataka. Researchers are encouraged to submit abstracts that consider the theme and how it is practiced across a broad range of contexts including but not limited to empowering Māori communities, mātauraka Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Abstracts should include a title and discuss how the presentation will relate to:
1. The research aim or question
2. The research perspective or theory
3. The research design or method
4. Findings or results
5. Implications or scholarly significance
Maximum word length is 250 words. References are not required. Abstracts will be peer-reviewed. Please also provide a 50-word bio for each presenter and include name, iwi/hapū, place of employment and position.

Deadline for abstracts
Deadline for abstracts is extended to 1 July 2022.
A decision whether the event will be online or kanohi-ki-kanohi will be made following the close of abstracts. Applicants will be notified.

Enquiries
Pātai? Please enquire to: Kaitohutohu@op.ac.nz

Contacts
Te Kura Matatini ki Otago encourages presenters at the Tino Rakatirataka symposium to consider publishing their work in our Scope: Kaupapa Kāi Tau, 2023 which will focus on the same theme.
Sacrifice, Food and Death by Sabin Perkins (April 4 2022)

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Sacrifice, Food and Death
Sabin Perkins
Post-graduate Season Exhibition

EXHIBITION DATES: 4 - 8 APRIL, 2022
DSA GALLERY: Ground Floor, P Block, Riego Street (off Albany St), Dunedin
Every Minute is Precious - Liz Rowe (March 9 2022)

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Every Minute is Precious
Liz Rowe
Post-graduate Season Exhibition

EXHIBITION DATES: 14-18 March 2022
DSA GALLERY: Ground Floor, P Block, Riego Street (off Albany St), Dunedin
5th Annual Professional Practice Symposium (March 8 2022)

We are calling for presentations for the 5th Annual Professional Practice Symposium.
Ko te kai a te rangatira, he kōrero: the sustenance of chiefs is words.

Theme: “Reflecting on learning and teaching in a turbulent world”
When: Thursday 1st September 2022. 9.00am - 4.00pm. No charge.
Where: Online via Teams.
Who: Everyone is welcome to attend.
This symposium will be of interest to Otago Polytechnic staff, colleagues within Te Pūkenga, learners, alumni, and professionals interested in deepening their practice.
Call for abstracts/topics
There are two options for presenting:
1. Full presentation. 20 minute talk, with 10 minute discussion. Suitable for sharing ideas, research, practice. Please submit a 200-300 word abstract. Peer reviewed. Abstract published in conference proceedings.
2. Snapshot talk. 10 minute talk, followed by 20 minute discussion. Suitable for: canvassing ideas, work-in-progress, helping with problems, posing questions, looking for collaborations etc. Not peer reviewed – requires a title and 1-2 sentences on the planned talk.
Please submit your abstract or title to Jo Kirkwood by 1 July 2022.
Relevant Research - February 2022 (February 28 2022)

On All Staff Day you may remember that Federico Freschi and Jane Venis were given an Excellence in Research award for their work last year. With Farieda Nazier (University of Johannesburg) they edited a book called The Politics of Design: Privilege and Prejudice in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This book is now available free online with print copies available for purchase.
Read more about Otago Polytechnic research in this month's issue of Relevant Research:
- Performative presentation of jewellery (Andrew Last and Johanna Zellmer)
- Hotel hospitality (Rachel Byars)
- Drills and skills (Sport, Exercise and Health student)
- Continuous development (James Harrison)
- Dealing to discrimination (Nursing students)
- Sense and sensibility (Occupational Therapy students)
- Nuku Collective (Communication Design and Fashion students)
- Workplace wellbeing (Bing Dai)
Call for Papers: OPSITARA 2022 (February 28 2022)

We are calling for abstracts for oral presentations of research undertaken by SIT, Ara or Otago Polytechnic staff on any topic.
This year Otago Polytechnic is hosting OPSITARA, on 14/15 July 2022. This will be an online event and registration is free.
Research can be co-authored with students, however the lead researcher and presenter must be a staff member.
Abstracts should include a title and discuss how the presentation will cover:
1. The research aim/question
2. The research design/methodology
3. Ethics approval for the research
4. The findings or results
5. The implications for our teaching, iwi, industry, professions or communities
Maximum word length is 250 words. References are not required. Up to five key words may be included.
Deadline for abstracts is Friday 6 May 2022.
Abstracts will be peer reviewed.
For each author please provide name/s, position/s, institution name, ORCID number if any, and a 50 word bio.
Presentations may be for 5 minutes or 15 minutes.
After the symposium abstracts will be published with presenters’ biographical information.
SUBMIT ABSTRACT
Questions? Please email research@op.ac.nz
Finn Petrie: Epiphytic Memory (February 24 2022)

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Epiphytic Memory
Finn Petrie
Post-graduate Season Exhibition

EXHIBITION DATES: 28 February - 4 March 2022

DSA GALLERY: Ground Floor, P Block, Riego Street (off Albany St), Dunedin

See the Otago Daily Times article for an interview with Finn Petrie about his work.
Slow Forms: DSA Painting Staff (February 24 2022)

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions until further notice.

Slow Forms
DSA Painting Staff Exhibition
Anita De Soto
Graham Fletcher
Michael Greaves
Michael Morley
Steev Peyroux

EXHIBITION DATES: 21 - 25 February 2022
DSA GALLERY: Ground Floor, P Block, Riego Street (off Albany St), Dunedin

(image: Anita De Soto, detail from Woman’s World, After Ruben’s. 1000x1200mm, oil on signboard, 2022)
Call for papers: Rere Āwhio - Journal of Applied Research & Practice (February 23 2022)

We invite you to submit abstracts for Issue 2 of Rere Āwhio -Journal of Applied Research & Practice. For the second issue we will have our first themed journal - Innovative Sustainable Practices - in support for the new Green Office Toitū initiative on the OPAIC campus.
You can read more about the Green Office movement here.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to collaborate with your students and showcase the great work in sustainability, green practices and UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals) you have been undertaking
Full papers to be submitted by 31^st May.
If you have any questions, please email Barnaby Pace
Regards,
Barnaby.
An interview with Bridie Lonie (February 10 2022)

An interview with Bridie Lonie (recently retired Head of School in the Dunedin School of Art) in the Otago Daily Times. Rebecca Fox talks to Bridie about art education, ways of seeing and recalibration.
Tapuae Gym - Temporary Suspension of NEW memberships (December 9 2021)

Kia ora e te whānau
For a number of reasons, including staff availability, managing access under the new Covid traffic light system and the imminent switch to a new member sign-up system, we are temporarily pausing accepting NEW memberships to Tapuae, our teaching gym space.
Please be assured that we look forward offering this invaluable benefit to new members to work with our student trainees early in the New Year.
Tapuae Gym - summer hours 29 Nov 21 to 19 Feb 22 (December 6 2021)

Tapuae gym Summer hours
Mondays             6am to 8pm (entry door locks at 7.30 pm)
Tuesdays             8am to 4.30pm (entry door locks at 4 pm)
Wednesdays      6am to 8pm (entry door locks at 7.30 pm)
Thursdays            8am to 4.30pm (entry door locks at 4 pm)
Fridays                  6am to 4.30pm (entry door locks at 4 pm)
Saturdays            9am to 12pm (entry door locks at 11.30 am)
Sundays               Closed

Gym shut for Christmas and New Year period from Sunday 19 Dec 2021 to Sunday 9 Jan 2022 inclusive
Last day for 2021 is Sat 18 Dec 2021
First day for 2022 is Mon 10 Jan 2021
Please note all members need to pre-verify their Covid-19 vaccination status to have access to the gym enabled. See this notice for further details on how to do this.
Relevant Research - November 2021 (December 1 2021)

This month's issue includes another selection of great research by our staff and students. Read the whole issue here or browse form the stories below:
- Tong's Takeaways (Art student)
- Learning in lockdown (Vijay Kumar)
- Sound travels (Architectural Studies student)
- The run down (Matt Blair)
- Automated irrigation (AIC Information Technology student)
- Chasing dreams (Caro McCaw)
- New pathways to achievement (Heather Carpenter and Glenys Ker)
- Cricket experience (Sport, Exercise and Health student)
- Carbon capture (Marion Wassenaar)
- Reducing social isolation (Nursing students)
Configure Exhibition at Ashburton Public Art Gallery (November 10 2021)

8 NOV 2021 - 21 JAN 2022, Ashburton Gallery, 327 West Street, Ashburton.

CONFIGURE Group Show with Kiri Mitchell, Sarah Baird, Kylie Norton, Maggie Covell, Tamara Nicholson, and Michele Beevors exploring feminism and feminist artwork.

Now showing at Ashburton Gallery.
Call for papers: Scope (Work Based Learning) (November 1 2021)

Scope: Contemporary Research Topics is series of peer-reviewed open access journals published annually in November by Otago Polytechnic Press. Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. For previous issues and author guidelines and malpractice statement please see www.thescopes.org. For more information on the details of the call, formats accepted etc please contact the Editor for the journal. This call closes 2 April 2022.
Work-based Learning Issue 3
The journal Scope (Work-based Learning) focuses on contemporary research in assessment of prior learning, learning in, for, and about work, and professional practice. It is concerned with critical debate about practice, theory, and history, and their relationships as manifested in the experiences of learners, practitioners, and researchers in work-based learning and professional practice.  ISSN 2703-6227 (Print) ISSN 2703-6235 (Online)  Submissions to Henk Roodt and  Martin Andrew.
Theme for 2022: ‘Working around’, our professional practice-based theme is open and ambiguous since it allows us to address the numerous 'work arounds' that the age of Covid-19 have hoisted around researchers and practitioners alike in professional practice. It talks to innovations or pivots in research and workplaces alike. It also implies that work is all around us in the world of professional practice, and enables us to explore round about our work and practice to find the spaces where it meets enquiry, research or scholarship. 
Call for papers: Scope (Learning & Teaching) (November 1 2021)

Scope: Contemporary Research Topics is series of peer-reviewed open access journals published annually in November by Otago Polytechnic Press. Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. For previous issues and author guidelines and malpractice statement please see www.thescopes.org. For more information on the details of the call, formats accepted etc please contact the Editor for the journal. This call closes 2 April 2022.
Learning and Teaching Issue 11
The journal Scope (Learning and Teaching) is concerned with views, critical debate and reflections on learning and teaching theory and practice. It seeks to address current topical matters in the field of tertiary education. Its focus is on building a sense of community amongst researchers from an array of New Zealand institutions with the goal of linking with a wider international community.  ISSN: 1179-951X (hardcopy), ISSN: 1178- 9528 (online)  Submissions to Su Bolland.
Theme for 2022:  Open: We are particularly interested in pieces which deal to the challenges, concepts and critical thinking around programmes, people and pedagogy that inform contemporary understandings of Learning and Teaching. We also welcome contributions to a special section on Neurodiversity in tertiary education.
Call for papers: Scope (Art & Design) 2022 (November 1 2021)

Scope: Contemporary Research Topics is series of peer-reviewed open access journals published annually in November by Otago Polytechnic Press. Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. For previous issues and author guidelines and malpractice statement please see www.thescopes.org. For more information on the details of the call, formats accepted etc please contact the Editor for the journal. This call closes 2 April 2022.
Art and Design Issue 23
The journal Scope (Art & Design) aims to engage discussion on contemporary research in the visual arts and design. It is concerned with views and critical debates surrounding issues of practice, theory, history and their relationships as manifested through the visual and related arts and activities, such as sound, performance, curation, tactile and immersive environments, digital scapes and methodological considerations. With New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours as a backdrop, but not its only stage, Scope (Art & Design) seeks to address the matters which concern contemporary artists and arts enquirers in their environments of practice. ISSN (for hardcopy version): 1177-5653; ISSN (for online version): 1177-5661. Submissions to scope.editorial@op.ac.nz
Theme for 2022: Open
Call for Papers: Scope (Health & Wellbeing) (November 1 2021)

Scope: Contemporary Research Topics is series of peer-reviewed open access journals published annually in November by Otago Polytechnic Press. Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. For previous issues and author guidelines and malpractice statement please see www.thescopes.org. For more information on the details of the call, formats accepted etc please contact the Editor for the journal. This call closes 2 April 2022.
Health and Wellbeing Issue 7
The journal Scope (Health & Wellbeing) aims to engage in multidisciplinary discussion on contemporary research in the landscape of health. It is concerned with views and critical debates surrounding issues of practice, theory, education, history and their relationships as manifested through the written and visual activities, such as original research, commentary, and critical debates concerning contemporary researchers, industry, society and educators in their environments of national and international practice. Scope’s focus is on building a sense of community amongst researchers in New Zealand and the international community.  ISSN (hardcopy): 2537-8872; ISSN (online): 2537-8880 . Submissions to Jean Ross.
Theme for 2022: This issue will consider, discuss and debate how sustainability is understood in relation to health and wellbeing, particularly sustainability in relation to health and wellbeing of individuals, indigenous populations and communities for example, health, ill health, shifts in health, access to health, local health, global health, climate change, COVID-19 or the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
SITE 2021: end of year student exhibition (flickr gallery) (October 6 2021)

SITE 2021: end of year student exhibition (flickr gallery)

EXHIBITION DATES

Friday 19 November - 5.30pm – 7.30pm Friday*

Saturday 20 November - 10am – 4pm Saturday

Monday 22 November - 10am – 4pm Monday

*NB: Due to Covid Level 2 restrictions there is no official opening event.

The exhibition is open to the public with sales taking place.

Sign-in, entry restrictions, mask wearing and social distancing required.

(IMAGE: NGAHINA BELTON-BODSWORTH
Coming Up For Air, acrylic & oil on canvas)
Scopes: call for papers 2022 (August 16 2021)

Scope: Contemporary Research Topics is series of peer-reviewed open access journals published annually in November by Otago Polytechnic Press. Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. For previous issues and author guidelines and malpractice statement please see www.thescopes.org. For more information on the details of the call, formats accepted etc please contact the Editor for the journal. Full manuscripts should be received by 2 April 2022 unless otherwise negotiated with the editors.

Art and Design Issue 23

The journal Scope (Art & Design) aims to engage discussion on contemporary research in the visual arts and design. It is concerned with views and critical debates surrounding issues of practice, theory, history and their relationships as manifested through the visual and related arts and activities, such as sound, performance, curation, tactile and immersive environments, digital scapes and methodological considerations. With New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours as a backdrop, but not its only stage, Scope (Art & Design) seeks to address the matters which concern contemporary artists and arts enquirers in their environments of practice. ISSN (for hardcopy version): 1177-5653; ISSN (for online version): 1177-5661. Submissions to scope.editorial@op.ac.nz

Theme for 2022: Open

Health and Wellbeing Issue 7

The journal Scope (Health & Wellbeing) aims to engage in multidisciplinary discussion on contemporary research in the landscape of health. It is concerned with views and critical debates surrounding issues of practice, theory, education, history and their relationships as manifested through the written and visual activities, such as original research, commentary, and critical debates concerning contemporary researchers, industry, society and educators in their environments of national and international practice. Scope’s focus is on building a sense of community amongst researchers in New Zealand and the international community.  ISSN (hardcopy): 2537-8872; ISSN (online): 2537-8880 . Submissions to jean.ross@op.ac.nz

Theme for 2022: This issue will consider, discuss and debate how sustainability is understood in relation to health and wellbeing, particularly sustainability in relation to health and wellbeing of individuals, indigenous populations and communities for example, health, ill health, shifts in health, access to health, local health, global health, climate change, COVID-19 or the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning and Teaching Issue 11

The journal Scope (Learning and Teaching) is concerned with views, critical debate and reflections on learning and teaching theory and practice. It seeks to address current topical matters in the field of tertiary education. Its focus is on building a sense of community amongst researchers from an array of New Zealand institutions with the goal of linking with a wider international community.  ISSN: 1179-951X (hardcopy), ISSN: 1178- 9528 (online)  Submissions to  megan.kitching@op.ac.nz

Theme for 2022: Open: We are particularly interested in pieces which deal to the challenges, concepts and critical thinking around programmes, people and pedagogy that inform contemporary understandings of Learning and Teaching. We also welcome contributions to a special section on Neurodiversity in tertiary education.

Work-based Learning Issue 3

The journal Scope (Work-based Learning) focuses on contemporary research in assessment of prior learning, learning in, for, and about work, and professional practice. It is concerned with critical debate about practice, theory, and history, and their relationships as manifested in the experiences of learners, practitioners, and researchers in work-based learning and professional practice.  ISSN 2703-6227 (Print) ISSN 2703-6235 (Online)  Submissions to henk.roodt@op.ac.nz and martin.andrew@op.ac.nz 

Theme for 2022: ‘Working around’, our professional practice-based theme is open and ambiguous since it allows us to address the numerous 'work arounds' that the age of Covid-19 have hoisted around researchers and practitioners alike in professional practice. It talks to innovations or pivots in research and workplaces alike. It also implies that work is all around us in the world of professional practice, and enables us to explore round about our work and practice to find the spaces where it meets enquiry, research or scholarship. 

Work-based Learning Issue 4 Special Issue: Technology

Theme: This inaugural edition features the development of state-of-the-art and existing technologies in a broad array of fields of IT, Construction, Business Applications, Architecture, Science and Engineering. The content will have an applied science and technological perspective with a focus on both innovation and application to daily lives. It will cover diverse disciplines such as health and life science, energy and environment, advanced materials, technology-based manufacturing, information science and technology, building and construction and marine and transportations technologies. Technologies will prioritize cross-disciplinary research work that solve real-world problems and the key focus will be in applied research designed and delivered in quality accordance with sustainability, best practice, bi-cultural relevance and safety, and ethical standards. Note Technology will use IEEE Referencing style see https://ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/IEEE-Reference-Guide.pdf

Enquiries and submissions should be sent to the editors for this special edition, Faisal.Hasan@op.ac.nz and Suhaimi.Latif@op.ac.nz
Dunedin Campus open for business (August 9 2021)

The Dunedin Campus will be open today.

We are aware that a number of schools and early learning centres across Dunedin are either closed or have late starts today, and that a number of roads are closed and bus routes affected.

If you will be delayed getting to campus, or unable to get there at all today, please contact your formal leader. Otherwise, please travel safe and stay warm!

A reminder of our expectations of you on days like this:
- please make a reasonable effort to get to work – ensuring the safety of yourself and others as a priority
- advise of your particular situation (expected time of arrival or inability to make it to work) by 9.00am at the latest
- ensure that you communicate as early as possible to your students any changes to class schedules and confirm your availability online or by phone
- remain ‘contactable’ during the day via phone or email for other staff or students
- continue with work that is possible to do while not in the office (checking and actioning emails should you have internet access)
- should you choose not to be contactable on a snow day, it becomes annual leave.
Kā mihi nui, nā
Otago Polytechnic Communications
Professorial Lecture: Collaborating with Communities (July 28 2021)

THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED.
We warmly invite you to join us at our upcoming professorial event: Associate Professor Jean Ross will be speaking on the topic Collaborating with Communities: Communities Collaborating with Global-Local Impact.
WHEN: 5:30pm on a date TBA 2022
WHERE: The Hub Atrium, Otago Polytechnic
RSVP: online registration required
Dr Jean Ross works at the intersection of clinical practice, research and education in the context of communities. Communities may be place-based but also include groups with common interests which are not limited geographically. In this lecture Jean will discuss the impact of her communities on her research and practice, and her own impact on a wide range of communities in New Zealand and internationally.
Forming connections between communities is a key focus, whether that is between rural nurses and rural GPs, between nursing educators in many countries, and between learners and rural communities, to enable mutually beneficial development. Jean is motivated to address inequities in health, particularly as experienced in rural communities, and has made a significant contribution to the recognition and development of rural nursing.
Dr Jean Ross is an Associate Professor and has been working at Otago Polytechnic since 2003. She is a Registered Nurse, holds a BN and a Master of Arts, and completed her Doctorate in 2017. From 1994-2003, Jean was co-director of the National Centre for Rural Health and instrumental in the development of interdisciplinary postgraduate nursing education. In 2008, she received the Rural General Practice Network Peter Snow Memorial Award in recognition of her national contribution to rural health care.
Image credit: Southstack lighthouse by "Deiz92", sourced from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives licence, CC BY NC ND 2.0.
Ceremony third time lucky for Otago Polytechnic CEO and graduands (July 21 2021)

Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons has had plenty of practice polishing her speech for this Friday’s graduation ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall.
Dr Gibbons first began work on an earlier version of her speech late last year, but that December 2020 ceremony was postponed because of a threat; she then honed a second version for the rescheduled March 2021 event, but a COVID-19 alert level change put paid to that.
Now, it’s third time lucky for Dr Gibbons, who will be joined by more than 280 graduands who were unable to cross the stage either in December or March. Another 2200 people will graduate in absentia, bringing the total to almost 2500.
“It’s been just over 12 months since I was appointed Chief Executive, but this will be the first Otago Polytechnic graduation ceremony l’ll lead,” Dr Gibbons says.
“Unfortunately, we had to cancel both the December and March graduations – at great disruption to many learners and their whānau, as well as to our many hard-working staff. So there is much to celebrate on Friday.
“Graduation is a time when we celebrate success, hard work and challenges,” Dr Gibbons says.
“I was brought up to believe and value the people around me, particularly whānau, that gender is no barrier, that education is a way forward, that success comes with hard work, and that failure or disappointment makes you stronger and more resilient.”
Notably, Otago Polytechnic will celebrate its first Doctoral cap on Friday.
Adrian Woodhouse, of Otago Polytechnic's Food Design Institute, will receive a Doctorate of Professional Practice for his work, which examines cultural dislocation from a Kai Tāhu perspective and includes a critique of traditional “Eurocentric” culinary teaching.
He, like many graduands, will take part in a pre-graduation parade from the School of Dentistry to the Dunedin Town Hall.
Qualifications for Friday’s ceremony include the New Zealand Certificate in Whānau Ora (a collaborative programme with the Arai Te Uru Kōkiri Training Centre), the innovative Bachelor of Leadership for Change, health programmes such as Midwifery, Nursing and Occupational Therapy, as well as Construction, Engineering, Design, Visual Arts, Veterinary Nursing, Applied Management, Social Services, Applied Science, and Culinary Arts.
Otago Polytechnic’s graduation will be held at the Dunedin Town Hall at 1.30pm on Friday 23 July.
Otago Polytechnic to lead research project on trans and non-binary-inclusive maternity care (July 8 2021)

Otago Polytechnic’s School of Midwifery - Te Kura Atawhai kā Kaiakopono te Hākuitaka has been granted almost $180,000 to research trans, non-binary and takatāpui-inclusive maternity care.
The Health Research Council of New Zealand announced today (Friday 9 July) it has confirmed $178,513 in funding for the study, “Understanding the need for trans and non-binary-inclusive maternity care”.
The research project, to be conducted by five academics and expected to be completed in early 2023, is led by Otago Polytechnic, and includes Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington and Waikato University.
“Transgender, non-binary and takatāpui people experience significant health disparities compared to the general population,” says lead researcher Dr George Parker, who recently moved from Otago Polytechnic’s School of Midwifery to Victoria University of Wellington’s Te Kura Tātai Hauora - School of Health.
“Health services play a key role in either compounding or alleviating these disparities,” Dr Parker says.
“Existing research on the experiences of trans and non-binary people in maternity services is limited and there is no research that describes how trans, non-binary and takatāpui people and whānau experience New Zealand’s unique maternity services with our midwife-led care.
“International research suggests that maternity care is often unsafe and inadequate for trans and non-binary people,” Dr Parker says.
“Current issues include a lack of gender-inclusive language, lack of gender-inclusive bathrooms and other facilities, data systems that make it difficult or impossible to capture gender identity, and unwelcoming and transphobic attitudes from maternity providers.”
Those involved in the research project hope it will inform future policy direction and educate health professionals to provide clinically and culturally competent care.
“Pregnant trans, non-binary and takatāpui people are currently marginalised from access to maternity services,” Dr Parker says.
“Our research team has consulted widely with community groups and, to help address equity for Māori, includes takatāpui advocates who will advise on all stages of the research ensuring indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge production are supported.”
The project builds on Otago Polytechnic’s leadership in the field of gender-inclusive midwifery care.
Otago Polytechnic’s School of Midwifery has developed a postgraduate course for midwives called “Queering Midwifery”, which includes education on the care of trans, non-binary and takatāpui whānau and is a New Zealand-first.
The School of Midwifery is also leading the integration of gender-inclusive concepts into its Bachelor of Midwifery programme, so that future midwives are equipped to provide safe and quality care for trans, non-binary and takatāpui families.
In confirming Otago Polytechnic’s funding application, the Health Research Council acknowledges the importance of the study.
HRC Chief Executive Professor Sunny Collings says this research is one of several projects announced today through a joint funding initiative with the Ministry of Health to invest in projects that will help achieve equitable maternal and infant health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“This particular project may be a small research area, but it has the potential to make a huge difference for takatāpui and gender-diverse people seeking and accessing maternity care,” says Professor Collings.
Pair provide real-world proof of benefits of OP-DVML relationship (July 5 2021)

Talk about getting involved at ground level.

To borrow a sporting analogy, Cory Olsen’s career path in the dynamic world of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd has been a mixture of swerves, sprints and solid, planned progress.

A year ago, in mid-July, as an Otago Polytechnic Applied Management learner on an internship with Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, Cory’s jobs included organising the Dunedin club rugby finals.

Fast forward a year.

Cory now works for DVML, with whom he’s preparing to tackle the myriad tasks likely to eventuate on game day of the All Blacks’ rugby test against Fiji at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday 10 July.

Or as fellow Otago Polytechnic graduate and DVML employee Tiffany Ngawhika puts it: “We co-ordinate the chaos.”

Like Cory, Tiffany is also heavily involved in organising the upcoming All Blacks match against Fiji. Like Cory, she was offered a job at DVML earlier this year following a successful internship in 2020.

“Because DVML is the events organizer in the South, I just knew I wanted to get an internship there,” Tiffany reflects. “I was lucky enough to be picked.”

Says Cory: “The internship was so valuable. I was thrown things like organising the Dunedin club rugby finals, ethnic cricket finals, Football South events.

“The thing about events is you are always working on something different. And that variety means you are building relationships and people skills, accommodating a range of needs and requests – the sorts of things that you can’t learn at a desk.”

Tiffany and Cory are the latest success stories to emanate from an internship placement relationship between DVML and Otago Polytechnic that has just been renewed for another three years.

Otago Polytechnic and DVML recently re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding which, since being established in 2018, has resulted in Otago Polytechnic learners engaging in a range of internships and casual, voluntary placements, including on-the-ground experience in events management, sports turf management and hospitality.

The MOU continues the strong relationship between DVML and Otago Polytechnic. This includes learners studying the Bachelor of Applied Management programme, which has resulted in several graduates gaining full-time roles within DVML’s events management team.

Dunedin Venues provides guest speakers/lecturers for learners along with a range of placements, including in marketing, events management, and hospitality and catering.

DVML venues host around 500 events a year. These range from world-class concerts and international sporting fixtures at Forsyth Barr Stadium, performances at the Dunedin Town Hall, conferences at the Dunedin Centre, to events such as the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival and Great Kiwi Home and Living Show.

Dunedin Venues Chief Executive Terry Davies: “DVML is excited to be renewing the valued relationship with Otago Polytechnic.

“This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for DVML to continue providing mutually beneficial intern opportunities for Otago Polytechnic students, who are exposed to all aspects of our fast-paced working environment”.

Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons says the relationship with DVML is another example of the institution empowering its learners with real skills in real environments.

“As well as preparing learners with the ability to adapt in what can be fast-moving situations, the MOU is another reminder of our commitment not only to Dunedin but the wider community.”

The relationship extends to other fields – literally, in the case of Otago Polytechnic’s New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Sports Turf) programme.

Learners in this programme have benefited from fixed-term internships with DVML that include them working at international sporting venues such as Forsyth Barr Stadium and the University of Otago Oval.

In addition, DVML experts will provide tutoring for learners and host field day experiences directly related to the programme, which is based at Otago Polytechnic’s Cromwell campus and is the only full-time sports turf programme on offer in New Zealand.

Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s NZ Certificate in Horticulture Services (Sports Turf)

Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Applied Management

Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s Hospitality Management programmes
Minister of Education visits Otago Polytechnic’s Trades Training Centre site (April 8 2021)

Otago Polytechnic hosted the Minister of Education, the Hon Chris Hipkins, on a visit today (Thursday 8 April) that included an inspection of the site for Otago Polytechnic’s multi-million-dollar Trades Training Centre.

Construction of the $31.7 million Trades Training Centre project, at the heart of Otago Polytechnic’s Forth St Campus, began in January.

Expected to be completed in October 2022, the Trades Training Centre was submitted by Otago Polytechnic in 2020 in response to the Government’s call to develop “shovel-ready” projects, aimed at stimulating and supporting economic activity in the city and region.

The project will employ around 200 tradespeople, as well as construction managers and consultants.

“Everything is going well and is on track,” Tracey Howell, Otago Polytechnic Director Campus Environment, says of the construction work, which has largely comprised site work – including the excavation and removal of around 3,500 cubic metres of soil.

“The project is significant to both the local and national construction industry as major contractors seek to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID lockdown,” Dr Megan Gibbons, Chief Executive Otago Polytechnic, says.

“We see our role at Otago Polytechnic as two-fold in the coming years: as we contribute to vocational education in New Zealand, we also acknowledge we have a part to play in the economic recovery,” Dr Gibbons says.

Otago Polytechnic is experiencing strong domestic enrolments – an almost 20% increase on the corresponding time last year — resulting in the institution posting a more than $1 million surplus.

“The demand ranges across all of our areas, including various Construction programmes,” Dr Gibbons says.

“As a major training provider for engineering and trade – regionally and nationally, Otago Polytechnic is well placed to increase places for more students, as well as be agile in what programmes we deliver to meet the needs in our community.

“At a time when young people and mature learners alike are looking for new career pathways with strong job opportunities, the Trade Training Centre will supply qualified tradespeople for industry that we know local employers, and the country as a whole, will need.

“Future projects in Otago and Dunedin alone include the new Hospital as well as major construction and infrastructure projects planned by the Dunedin City Council and University of Otago for the next 10 years. All these will require a significant increase in qualified tradespeople across the spectrum,” Dr Gibbons says.

“The Trades Training Centre will provide an outstanding learning environment, offering modern learning facilities including common learning spaces, to meet industry and more sophisticated learner demands.”

Otago Polytechnic Ltd is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga – a nationwide network of polytechnics and institutes of training.

Otago Polytechnic Trades Training Centre – project details:
- Trades Training Centre being constructed at Otago Polytechnic’s main Dunedin campus at Forth St
- Construction work began in January 2021 and is expected to be completed by October 2022 (and occupied for Semester 1, 2023)
- Total cost: $31.7 million (Government investing $28 million by way of grant and loan through its tagged contingency for infrastructure)
- Designed as a purpose-built three-storeyed facility to deliver trades training programmes
- Strong sustainability focus includes following Living Building Challenge (LBC) principles, as well as using Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT); in addition, contractor Naylor Love reporting on waste during construction phase and setting up a recycling station on site for sub-contractors
Otago Polytechnic offers veterinarians a walk on the wild side (March 29 2021)

Otago Polytechnic is offering veterinarians and veterinary nurses an invaluable opportunity to spread their wings.
Otago Polytechnic’s School of Veterinary Nursing, in conjunction with the Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin, has developed two new programmes specifically focused on avian wildlife healthcare.
As part of the programmes, practising veterinarians and veterinary nurses will each have an invaluable week-long practical placement at the Wildlife Hospital, working alongside an expert team that includes one of New Zealand’s leading wildlife veterinary surgeons, Dr Lisa Argilla, and accomplished wildlife veterinary nurse Angelina Martelli.
The Wildlife Hospital team will also provide online, interactive tuition for both programmes, which comprise 40-credit training scheme certificates and can be studied part-time over a year.
“As part of the practical placements, learners will be involved in the hospital’s daily routines and procedures with the patients,” Dr Argilla explains.
“They will work with various members of our team, and we will likely give them responsibility to manage a patient or two (or more) depending on their confidence.”
The Certificate in Avian Wildlife Healthcare (Veterinary Nurses) (Level 6) and Certificate in Avian Wildlife Healthcare (Veterinarian) (Level 7) programmes, have been developed with the aim of upskilling those in the industry who are increasingly having to deal with injured or sick birds during their daily practice.
As one former Otago Polytechnic Veterinary Nursing student notes: “Working with wildlife is a very different experience to working with animals in a vet clinic.
“The animals that are typically handled in a vet clinic are domesticated. They are used to being handled.
“In contrast, the Wildlife Hospital deals with a range of bird species that have had minimal human contact.”
Since opening in 2018 and operating out of Otago Polytechnic’s School of Veterinary Nursing, the Wildlife Hospital has treated many hundreds of injured birds, many of which carry a nationally critical, endangered or vulnerable status.
The constant stream of feathered in-patients includes kākāpō, kea, takahē, various kiwi, numerous penguins, and even the rare kakī, of which only about 130 adults remain in the wild.
“The new avian wildlife programmes are significant,” Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons says.
“In meeting the needs of the veterinary industry, we hope we can play a part in helping our unique taonga – our avian wildlife – some species of which are under threat.”
Read more about Otago Polytechnic’s Avian Wildlife Healthcare Level 6 and Level 7 programmes
Otago Polytechnic unveils new Māori names for buildings (March 18 2021)

Otago Polytechnic today unveiled new Māori names for four of its key buildings.
Having worked closely with rūnaka for several months, Otago Polytechnic is pleased to announce new names for H Block (Ōtākou), G Block (Kaikarae), O Block (Ōwheo) and S Block (Tauraka Pipipi).
In the search for suitable names, the previous Council of Otago Polytechnic sought names for four of its prominent buildings that would connect with the history of the Otago region, as well as ensure a connection with other work occuring more broadly across Dunedin City.
Led by Megan Pōtiki, a small group of rūnaka members met at Ōtākou Marae on 18 February 2020 to discuss this concept further and the idea of using local waterways was decided upon.
Megan Pōtiki conducted further research and consulted on the four preferred names with a broader range of rūnaka members who were also steeped in local history.
Tahu Pōtiki, Khyla Russell and Simon Kaan were instrumental in coming up with the theme of “He Ara Honohono”, or intersecting pathways, to guide Otago Polytechnic’s campus developments approximately four years ago.
The concept of “ara honohono”, is central to an overarching theme that binds Otago Polytechnic’s ongoing redevelopment.
The area around what is now Otago Polytechnic’s campus was a point of intersection for previous generations of Māori.
The idea of ara honohono fits intrinsically with the notion that education is a journey, and also reflects the way in which students pass through Otago Polytechnic.
Names and details:
H Block – Ōtākou
Otago Polytechnic is on the doorstep of the Ōtākou highway (i.e. Te Awa Ōtākou / the Otago Harbour), from which particular awa (streams / rivers) flow into the Taiari and further afield.
G Block – Kaikarae
Kai karae (as written by HK Taiaroa in his 1880 manuscript) – now known as Kaikorai.
O Block – Ōwheo
Ōwheo is the stream beside O Block that runs into the Otago Harbour.
S Block – Tauraka Pipipi
Tauraka Pipipi (as written by HK Taiaroa in his 1880 manuscript) is not actually a waterway, but an estuary – now known as Logan Park, where S Block is located.
2020 Reflections on Rangitoto Island (December 11 2020)

Our Improving Organisational Performance course students did a Rangitoto hiking trip to celebrate what they have achieved and learned in 2020.
Students ferried to Rangitoto Island, and hiked on the west side of the island, including Wilsons Park Track, the summit, the crater rim, and McKenzie Bay.
Lecturer Dani Mao said it was a physical challenge for some students who are not regular hikers. They joked that the hiking was a bit like the year 2020, you needed to stay safe and keep moving, and you would make it to the finish line.
Dani said that sitting on McKenzie Bay beach, students reflected on what made them proud during 2020.
Yifeng Du was happy that he got married in October 2020.
Mahi Amin thought lockdown helped her to focus more on her health and future plans.
Avani Shah and Dev Patel are proud of completing their NZCEL Level 4 programme successfully and can now prepare quality assignments for the GDAM courses.
Preetika and Pawanpreet Chahal are proud to work as essential workers and looked after their community during the lockdown period.
Hardik was grateful that the wage subsidy support was extended to include international student workers like himself.
Omkumar Shah was so proud of being promoted as a team manager at Countdown a few days after his 19^th birthday celebration.
Congrats to our grads! (December 14 2020)

Whilst our official graduation ceremonies couldn’t take place on Friday 11 December due to a security threat, Otago Polytechnic is incredibly proud of our graduates and the resilience they have shown during 2020.
A makeshift and impromptu event was held quietly in The Hub on Friday to give graduates and their families the chance to collect their certificates and to get photos taken in their regalia. Hot food was provided and security was present to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Nathan Laurie, OPSA President, expressed that while unfortunately we have had to postpone planned celebrations, it does not diminish the achievements of students in what was a really challenging year.
Graduate Address: Juan Carlo Crispino (November 24 2020)

Juan Carlo Crispino spoke about his life-changing decision to come to New Zealand, when he delivered the OPAIC student address at Graduation last Tuesday.
JC received his Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing at last week’s ceremony. He also received a Special Student Award for outstanding achievement in his programme.
He told the crowd that growing up he’d always been complimented on his art skills. He thought pursuing an arts path would be easy and convinced his parents to allow him to study art at university back home in the Philippines.
However, university wasn’t smooth sailing. He found himself comparing himself to others who excelled in the same field and he lost his focus, interest, and confidence.
He received a failing grade, which was a financial blow for his family. He took that as a wake-up call.
“Talent without effort would only lead to wasted opportunities.”
Eventually his grades improved, and he developed a more mature outlook on life. He graduated art school and got a job as an illustrator for an animation and storyboard studio, then later became a graphic designer for a fast-fashion retail brand.
JC said he came to New Zealand to follow his dream of exploring his potential as a purveyor of brands through creative, strategic, and innovative thinking. He said the decision to come to New Zealand was life-changing.
He enjoyed and found fulfilment in the Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing and was grateful for the support he received from lecturers and fellow students.
He received two Excellent Scholars Awards during his time at OPAIC and he had the opportunity to work with Tourism HQ and visit Fiji during his internship.
The Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing also taught him about industry standards here in New Zealand, which helped him get a part-time job at a local company.
His ultimate goal is to have his own design agency.
“It is a dream that I will continue to strive for and achieve.”
He said if there's one thing we learned from 2020, it's that everything changes but our attitude and resilience in overcoming setbacks makes us better people.
“To my fellow graduates, let's continue to work hard, stay focused, and may we never lose our passion to pursue our dreams as we enter a new and exciting phase in our lives.”
Celebrating the success of our graduates (November 18 2020)

More than 270 students crossed the stage at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus’s 13^th graduation ceremony yesterday.
They included OPAIC and Capable NZ graduates from a range of programmes.
Otago Polytechnic Limited Board Chair, Tony Allison, congratulated students and staff for their tenacity and dedication.
Despite this year’s challenges, there was a positive buzz around campus and a clear sense of commitment from all involved, he said.
The partnership between Otago Polytechnic and Future Skills brought together two of New Zealand’s top performing educational institutions, he said.
“The partnership has been particularly successful and has provided international students who want to live in Auckland with the opportunity to gain an Otago Polytechnic qualification.”
Students had now completed their course of study and today marked the end of a journey.
“It also signifies the beginnings of a new journey. The beginning of a new career – armed with your brand new qualifications and the beginning of a whole new range of experiences beyond the polytechnic.”
“You leave this institution with both a relevant qualification and a range of skills and attributes that will enable you to find your place.”
Guest speaker, Fonterra Chief Financial Officer, Marc Rivers, talked about the value of service.
He said the Maori concept of wairuatanga, was like two streams merging into a flowing river. One stream is the material and the other the spiritual.
He said to fulfil our potential we have to merge these two streams within ourselves.
“The key to this is service. Service lies at the heart of the spiritual life. Through service, our longing for spiritual growth and desire to contribute to the transformation of society become united.”
Walking the path of service brought meaning to life and helped us realise the purpose of education. It helped clarify our thoughts about the future, develop qualities that lead to the wellbeing of our families and strengthened friendships.
He urged graduates to bring together the twin streams of material and spiritual into a flowing river which brought personal and social transformation through their own path of service.
Otago Polytechnic to host Māori Research Symposium (November 13 2020)

Te Kura Matatini ki Ōtago/Otago Polytechnic warmly invites attendees to the Māori Research Symposium – Kaitiakitaka, to be held on Thursday 3 December at Otago Polytechnic’s Forth Street Campus in Dunedin.
Since April 2020, polytechnics across Aoterearoa are part of the Te Pūkenga network. As a result, we are delighted to showcase presentations focused on a wide range of research concerned with human and environmental issues from across the 16 Te Pūkenga subsidiaries.
Following the successful Tā Moko Symposium 2014 and the Mauri Ora: Human Flourishing Symposium in 2018, the purpose of the Māori Research Symposium is to promote original Māori led or Māori-partnered research which nurtures emergent and leading Māori students, staff and scholars conducted at Otago Polytechnic and across Aotearoa. It will showcase and celebrate Māori research on a wide range of issues concerned with human and environmental wellbeing.
Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons (Ngā Puhi) will open the symposium, accompanied by two keynote speakers – Associate Professor Carla Houkamou (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāi Tahu) and Dr Eru Tarena (Ngāi Tahu; Ngāi Tūāhuriri). The MC for the day is Kāi Tahu media personality Rāniera Dallas.
Details:
Māori Research Symposium
Theme: Kaitiakitaka – Te Tai Ao and Te Ao Hurihuri/Guardian Protectors of our Environment and Ever Changing World
Otago Polytechnic, Thursday 3 December 2020 (mihi whakatu will commence at 8.30am).
To register, visit
Registrations close on 20 November. Free entry for Kaumātua (contact kelli.temaiharoa@op.ac.nz or tessa.thomson@op.ac.nz
Celebrating Diwali on campus (November 11 2020)

We celebrated Diwali on campus today with a festival organised by our students, which included traditional outfits, rangoli, food, and dancing. Check out the photos here.
Sharing sustainability research through new initiative (November 11 2020)

Students are sharing bite-sized pieces of sustainability research through our new 3n5 initiative.
The 3n5 Sustainability initiative involves students creating three templated PowerPoint slides, summarising sustainability research, which they can talk about in five minutes. These are then uploaded into an OPAIC 3n5 Microsoft Teams group.
Other students and staff can then use these research summaries in their own learning and teaching.
Students in our Managing Change and Adversity course were the first to have a go at the 3n5 initiative, creating presentations about the National Climate Change Risk Assessment report yesterday (pictured).
Their presentations started with an overview of the current climate change situation, included evidence, and finished with recommendations.
The purpose of this project is to help us embed sustainability in all that we do at OPAIC and develop sustainable practitioners.
Any students who are interested in making use of the resources or contributing their own 3n5 presentation on a sustainability topic of their choice can ask one of their lecturers to add them to the 3n5 Microsoft Team.
OPAIC students compete in IT challenge (November 9 2020)

Two OPAIC Information Technology students competed in a series of cloud computing challenges last month, with one finishing fourth out of all entrants in New Zealand and Australia.
The AWS Jam Competition is a virtual cloud computing competition hosted by WorldSkills Australia alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Head of Information Technology at OPAIC, Dr Farhad Mehdipour, says the purpose of the online event is to give students from institutions in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to face and troubleshoot challenges they may encounter in a real cloud-based environment.
OPAIC encouraged students in its new AWS courses to participate and Wisanu Boonrat and Ravi Kalaria took part.
Farhad said both students made a good attempt and Wisanu came away with fourth place overall.
Wisanu says competitors were encouraged to complete two AWS online courses before the competition: AWS Academy Cloud Foundations, for an overall understanding of cloud computing concepts, and the more advanced AWS Academy Cloud Operations.
He was a bit nervous going into the competition because he had struggled with the more advanced course.
“However, when it's time to compete, I felt relieved and enjoyed resolving the questions.”
He said the questions were not too tough and required a basic knowledge of AWS operations.
“Also, there were many organisers who supported the competitors and made the event run smoothly.”
He says the competition was all about learning. It allowed competitors to learn more about how to use AWS to resolve real-world problems for customers.
It consisted of about 14 labs and competitors could choose which lab they wanted to work on (pictured above).
In each lab, there was an explanation of the task, such as building a static website for a local bakery, configuring the website’s security, and implementing online orders and delivery.
Participants could ask for clues about how to complete the task, with points deducted for each clue.
Food Design Institute students help create “Walking Supper” (November 3 2020)

Students from Otago Polytechnic’s Food Design Institute are collaborating with a range of partners to develop a culinary experience that will culminate in a “Walking Supper” in Dunedin’s Vogel St heritage area on Monday 9 November.

Working with Precinct Food, Good Good and Moiety, and using products from nominated suppliers, the Year-2 students are aiming to tempt the tastebuds of a crowd of around 30 people.
The event is part of a Government-led initiative “Unite for Recovery”, established as part of a wider package aimed to stimulate an economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The purpose of the “Walking Supper” is multi-layered:
- showcase the newly developed Vogel street area to the public and the variety of food outlets operating there
- align the supplier's products with the nominated outlets in a sympathetic manner
- gather data on the user-centred nature of the products within the different environments and to communicate this to both the producers and outlets
The three Dunedin food outlets involved – Precinct, Good Good, and Moiety – all operate in defined market categories separate from one another, which showcases the diversity of food offerings in the area.
As part of the project, the Otago Polytechnic Food Design Institute students are aligning each of these outlets with producers. All dishes must represent the established identity of the outlet.
To this end, the students are reporting back to the establishments on the development of menu items, and to the producers on the use of their products.
Both virtual and face-to-face, this process will result in a selection of items that represent both the producers and establishments.
The menu items will be produced in Otago Polytechnic’s teaching kitchens and transported to the establishments for consumption on the day of the event. Customer feedback from the event will be given to the producers to help inform them in regards potential new markets.
In addition, one Food Design Institute learner has negotiated a joint branding agreement between Dunedin brewery New New New Corporation and Good Good to produce a jointly branded specialty beer for the evening.
Supplier and outlet combinations
Precinct will work with The Brothers Green and Tahi Spirulina: Tahi, New Zealand’s sole spirulina producer, is based in the Nelson area; The Brothers Green are Christchurch-based hemp specialists and have a range of products in retail as well as being wholesale suppliers of hemp protein.
Good Good will work with Provenance lamb and Havoc pork, both of which adhere to the highest level of animal husbandry and regenerative farming practices. The Brothers Green and Tahi will also be involved to cater to vegan or other dietary needs.
Moiety will work with OCHO chocolate, Bay Road Peanut Butter and Good as Gold Honey.
For tickets, visit
Read more about our Culinary and Hospitality programmes
Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards celebrates 20 years (November 3 2020)

The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards celebrates its 20th year in 2020.
Mana Pounamu acknowledges the vast and varied achievements of rakatahi Māori (Māori youth) in secondary schools across Otago.
Usually, the Mana Pounamu recipients are celebrated in a ceremony that brings together secondary schools across Otago, award recipients, whānau and community.
This year, due to COVID, the ceremony has been cancelled but the recognition will continue with all 26 schools taking responsibility to celebrate their students’ achievements in-house.
Mana Pounamu celebrates the wonderful accomplishments of rakatahi Māori in secondary schools and aims to inspire them to consider tertiary education as a natural next step.
The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards provides an opportunity to showcase our future leaders, providing inspirational role models to other Māori youth across the province. This year, there are a total of 48 award recipients consisting of both 24 tuākana (seniors) and 24 tēina (juniors).
Additional scholarships and awards are presented at the awards ceremony, including Otago Polytechnic Scholarships (full fees payment for a chosen course of study for senior Mana Pounamu recipients), University of Otago Scholarships (Hands-On Otago and for Commitment to Te Reo Māori), as well as the Otago Daily Times’ Award for Excellence in English.
Alongside a dedicated team of fellow Māori educators, the late Alva Kapa (a Kāi Tahu Tāua and passionate educator) initiated the Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards in 2001. The celebration was bestowed the title of ‘Mana Pounamu’ as it was first held in the Year of Mana Pounamu.
Dr Gianna Leoni, one of the recipients in 2001 of a Mana Pounamu Award, reflects on the mana of the experience:
“As a young kōtiro Māori, I probably underestimated its significance. I remember being proud to stand among a bunch of other awesome rangatahi and be selected by my school, as I had heaps of other friends who were just as worthy. As a kid who was disconnected from our tūrangawaewae, this award certainly helped drive my desire to learn more about my whakapapa.
“I think it gave me confidence as a young Māori person. I felt validated in my ethnic identity and confident in my own skin. It enabled me to see value in pursuing te reo me ōna tikanga as a subject of learning. So much so, that by the time I met with the year-11 Dean to talk about my studies, I told him that I wouldn’t be doing year-11 Science, as I didn’t need it when I left for university where I’d be studying a BA in Māori Studies.”
Currently a Lecturer at Te Tumu: School of Māori, Pacific & Indigenous Studies, University of Otago, Dr Leoni will start a new role as a Senior Data Analyst at Te Hiku Media, a company based in Kaitaia.
Dr Leoni says her understanding of the concept of “leadership”, and her approach to it, has changed over the past two decades.
“As a teenager, leadership for me meant guiding the way for others to follow. I was captain of sports teams, a “cultural leader”, and I think I found my way to those roles quite naturally.
“From leadership I’ve received since, and in particular from Māori mentors that I look up to, I’ve learnt more from those who have given me the opportunity to solve my own problems, and encouraged me to believe in my ability to do so.
“Now, I’d hope my leadership style reflects my desire to foster whanaungatanga and manaakitanga in any situation, and I think that is demonstrated in the recent successes of the South Pacific Rugby League & Sports Club.
“It’s also about being able to lead in a way that I’m comfortable with. That my beliefs and values, as a wahine Māori, are central to how I carry myself and complete any task, particularly in in a world that might not always be accepting of those values. And I think that’s what is so critical about awards such as Mana Pounamu. They remind us that we can be proud to be unapologetically Māori.”
Mana Pounamu is a Kāi Tahu initiative supported by Kā Papatipu Rūnaka ki Arāiteuru, the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the Ministry of Education and Otago Daily Times.
New course preparing students for world of work (October 30 2020)

A new Information Technology course offered at OPAIC is helping our students prepare for the industry.
The course gives students a foundation in Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
After students complete this foundation course, they can sit the AWS Practitioner Exam to obtain an industry certification called the AWS Foundation Certification.
We first provided the course in Study Block 4 of this year to 10 students from our Bachelor of Information Technology and Graduate Diploma in Information Technology.
Head of IT and Principal Lecturer, Dr Farhad Mehdipour, says cloud computing is something employers expect graduates to be familiar with. Additionally, AWS is a popular service around the world.
He designed the tasks and assessments for the course with input from partners at AWS. Students cover many skills in the course including mind maps, literature reviews, case studies reflection and industry certification.
For their case studies, students have to analyse an AWS success story. They look at how AWS has worked for well-known organisations such as Formula 1.
Farhad is now encouraging the Study Block 4 cohort to complete the AWS Foundation Certification. He hopes the students will be keen to undertake other certifications in their areas of interest in the future.
A few of our students and recent graduates have already been able to obtain the AWS Foundation Certification and others are working towards it.
Farhad says the new course has been a success. Students received good grades overall and gave positive feedback. It will be offered again early next year.
Cloud computing is a trending technology and it’s great that students have the opportunity to learn from resources from a world leader in the field, says Farhad.
This sort of course gives them the self-confidence to be able to engage with such technologies in future.
Recently an industry speaker came to the campus and talked to IT students about what they would need to know when they entered the industry. They were heartened to know they’d learned about most of the things mentioned.
Sustainability ideas brainstormed at workshops (October 30 2020)

Students and staff from a range of departments got together to discuss campus sustainability initiatives at two workshops this week.
Otago Polytechnic and OPAIC have strategic objectives for sustainability, including developing sustainable practitioners and modelling evidence-based sustainable practice in our operations.
There will be a big focus on sustainability at our Auckland campus this Study Block. All classes have been looking at the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We will be focusing on Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing and Goal 17 - Partnering for the Goals, in particular.
This week’s workshops were focused on facilities and operations, and supported by our Facilities Manager Sonny Teio with the help of other staff from across departments.
They took us through some recent OPAIC sustainability initiatives including switching to LED lighting, and our recycling programme.
They also told us about some planned cross-departmental student projects led by OPAIC IT students including:
1. An app to promote sustainability practices at OPAIC.
2. An app to measure and monitor the progress of sustainability initiatives at OPAIC in terms of operations and facilities.
3. An app for students to create and maintain their own sustainability portfolios.
Students took time to brainstorm other sustainability ideas for the campus in groups, at the workshop.
Our students are being encouraged to embed sustainability into their reports, projects and presentations throughout this Study Block.
Those who do will be able to showcase their work later this year at our Annual Student Research Forum on Thursday 26 November and our Sustainability Industry Open Day with a panel of our industry partners on Wednesday 2 December.
Check out the photos here.
Hands-on learning during a pandemic (October 28 2020)

Providing quality hands-on experience to students during a pandemic isn’t easy, especially when gatherings and on-site activities are restricted.
But for new students learning construction technology, real-world experience provides opportunities to reflect on in-class learning.
OPAIC Construction Lecturer, Lip-wah Ho, says it’s up to academics to find innovative ways to simulate these on-site experiences in the classroom.
This Study Block, Lip designed and planned in-class experiential learning activities for his students.
These activities included an exercise where students worked in groups to design the foundation and subfloor framing for a timber framed building using Lego bricks and another where they used cardboard to simulate tile laying.
The experiential activities allowed students to reflect on their learning and experiences, to better understand concepts and experiment with new ideas.
Lip says the activities were good fun and students were keen to participate.
Check out the photos here.
Architectural Studies graduate wins heritage award (October 23 2020)

An Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Architectural Studies graduate has won the student category at the 2020 Dunedin Heritage Awards.
Ilan Avraham, who graduated with a BAS at the end of 2019, has won the Seddons: The Fibrous Plaster Company Student Design Competition Award for his entry, which explores the adaptive re-use of a former furniture workshop building at 232 Rattray St.
Recently bought with a view to sensitively adapting and developing the site, 232 Rattray St was chosen as the location for Bachelor of Architectural Studies students from Otago Polytechnic’s School of Design to enter ideas.
The judges noted that Ilan took an innovative and highly detailed design approach to redeveloping the site as a craft training centre – combining form, function and history into a new way of revitalising associated craft skills.
“Ilan’s entry demonstrates a greater depth of historic research to understand the site and its uses, environmental and social awareness in design, and a sympathetic scaling of new elements to sit comfortably alongside the historic building and features of the former commercial furniture factory.”
In addition, Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Architectural Studies student Mila Makasini received a Highly Commended in the same category.
Mila’s design decisions were driven by a desire to, “showcase a juxtaposition of architectural principles between old and new while retaining a symbiotic recognisable relevance between the forms”.
The student category was re-introduced for the 2020 Awards in partnership with students from Otago Polytechnic in remembrance of their tutor and respected heritage advocate, Michael Findlay, who passed away in July 2019. The award has been generously sponsored by Seddons The Fibrous Plaster Company to support future aspirations.
The Student Design Competition Award is intended to encourage tertiary student designers to design an innovative re-use of a heritage building in Dunedin.
The 2020 Dunedin Heritage Awards, announced on 20 October, recognised the streetscape impact of heritage buildings, student design, conservation of heritage features and individuals’ services to heritage.
Read more about our Architectural Studies programmes
Staff Forum video (October 22 2020)

Chief Executive Megan Gibbons provided plenty of food for thought at the Staff Forum today, Thursday 22 October.
The year 2020 continues to throw up its challenges: from a lack of international students, to cashflow challenges, to our transition and future within Te Pūkenga.
What is clear, however, is that we are expecting more learners – applications for next year are up 1100 on the corresponding time last year.
Want to know more? Revisit the Staff Forum via this video.
AIC Way out now (October 22 2020)

The October issue of Auckland staff newsletter, AIC Way, is out now. Check your inbox for your copy or read it online here.
Otago Polytechnic to host award-winning architect (October 21 2020)

Leading New Zealand architect and architectural commentator Jeremy Salmond will visit Otago Polytechnic on Friday 23 October.
Awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2018, Jeremy Salmond will deliver a public lecture titled, “Silver Threads Among the Gold - Filling the Regeneration Gap”.
Associate Professor Tobias Danielmeier, of Otago Polytechnic’s College of Creative Practice and Enterprise, is excited that Otago Polytechnic is hosting this year’s prestigious Ted McCoy Architecture Lecture.
“For the last decades, Jeremy Salmond’s practice has been dedicated to heritage conservation in New Zealand.
“Given the nature of Dunedin’s historic building fabric – but also its future orientation – it is a great pleasure to have such a talented and respected architect and writer deliver this year’s Ted McCoy public lecture.
Jeremy is an articulate advocate for New Zealand’s heritage and has contributed to the conservation of many of New Zealand’s most important heritage sites.
Early conservation projects included the Pompallier Printing House in Russell, Stone Store in Kerikeri and Mission House on Kawau Island; Auckland’s Civic Theatre, Old Government House, War Memorial Museum, Domain Wintergardens, Art Gallery and former Chief Post Office. In Ngāruawāhia, Jeremy worked on the conservation of Turangawaewae Marae; in Wellington, Sacred Heart Cathedral; in Christchurch, the Arts Centre; in Dunedin, Iona Church.
Jeremy’s ground-breaking book Old New Zealand Houses 1800–1940, and successive publications, have helped New Zealanders appreciate the built history of their country.
Yet Jeremy is not a prisoner of history. He has always been acutely aware that for old buildings to have a life they must have contemporary relevance. Jeremy is as much focused on the present and the future as he is on the past.
Jeremy Salmond’s public lecture, “Silver Threads Among the Gold - Filling the Regeneration Gap”, will be held at 6pm-7.30pm on Friday, 23 October, at Otago Polytechnic’s O Block, Anzac Ave.
Providing financial support to students in need (October 21 2020)
OPAIC has been providing financial support to students facing hardship due to Covid-19, through two rounds of funding this year.

Applications for our first round of Financial Hardship Support opened in March and we launched a second round of support during the August lockdown.

In total 154 students have had discussions with our Student Success Team about hardship funds and received additional information and application forms. Of those students, 55 applied for the funding.

We approved 31 grants for 22 students (as some applied more than once). We helped out students who had lost their jobs due to Covid-19, including some who had families to support.

Student feedback has been positive. We recently sent a survey to those who were granted funds. They said they were appreciative of how supportive the OPAIC team had been when they were in need.

Here’s what some of our students had to say:
- “I have benefited from this support as it came at a time where I lost my job and was in deep need of help and support. The team were really supportive and I received the funds fast. I thank you for your help in my time of need.”
- “I had benefited in multiple perspectives through this support. It provided a mental relief at that time and I could easily focus on study. I purchased some groceries and paid rent for two weeks. It was a big support financially and mentally. I will never forget this support in my entire life.”
- “That support was very helpful for that difficult time. I spent the Financial Hardship Support for my room payment.”
We are continuing to financially support students. Feel free to reach out to Student Success on Level 1 or at studentsuccessaic@op.ac.nz if you are in a difficult financial situation.
Sustainability at OPAIC (October 21 2020)

Otago Polytechnic is renowned for Sustainability. Sustainability is embedded in all that we do, as we develop sustainable practitioners.
Study Block 5 at OPAIC will focus on Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is Good Health and Wellbeing. We will also look at Goal 17, which is ‘Partnerships for the Goals’.
ICT and Facilities Manager Sonny Teio will kick-start the Study Block with a campus Sustainability Workshop, from 12-1pm on Wednesday 28 October and Thursday 29 October on Level 1. All staff and students are encouraged to attend one of these sessions.
To progress Climate Action, it will be important for staff and graduates to be active champions of sustainability, no matter what their qualification.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are the framework we use to map sustainability at Otago Polytechnic and OPAIC. They are 17 interlinked goals which create a ‘blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all’, They were set by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to be achieved by 2030. Read more here.
All students should now have access, via Moodle, to a PowerPoint presentation introducing the Sustainable Development Goals. Each goal has targets, tools, and indicators to measure, monitor and visualise progress.
OPAIC is preparing for our Sustainability Industry Open Day, which will take place on Wednesday 2 December. Our Industry Partners will be able to see student sustainability initiatives, presentations, posters and research at this event. It will be a fabulous opportunity to showcase OPAIC students’ capabilities in front of potential employers.
Keynotes announced for Māori Research Symposium (October 17 2020)

We’re delighted to announce our two keynote speakers for this year’s Māori Research Symposium, Kaitiakitaka (3 December, The Hub).

Dr Eruera Tarena
Ngāi Tahu (Ngāi Tūāhuriri)

Eruera is Executive Director for Tokona te Raki: Māori Futures Collective, a Ngāi Tahu-led futures lab to empower rangatahi to realise the future of their dreams and influence partners to transform how they engage rangatahi and their whānau. The lab shares future focused insights so rangatahi can determine their own future, equip them with the tools to lead change and connects them with partners so they are designing systems that work for them.
Currently Eruera is involved in a range of data projects mapping our current education systems performance for Māori (mapping barriers/boosters), mapping rangatahi journeys through education/employment and a range of projects focused on the future of work for Māori and preparing for the transition to a future skills-based economy. A key part of this work is training a cohort of rangatahi future makers to lead the transformation and designing from the future.
Eruera is also a Ministerial appointee to Te Taumata Aronui and Te Māngai Pāho.

Associate Professor Carla Houkamau
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu

Carla is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and International Business and the Associate Dean Maori at Auckland University Business School. Carla currently leads the most extensive longitudinal study of Māori identity, financial attitudes and behaviour (Te Rangahau o Te Tuakiri Māori me Ngā Waiaro ā-Pūtea | The Māori Identity and Financial Attitudes Study) for which she received a Marsden Award in 2015. You can find out more about Carla's collaborative research programme here.

Register now and secure your place!
Registration is now open and attendance costs are $10 unwaged (+ booking fee) and $25 waged (+booking fee).
Register here >
“Whaiao”- Education for Sustainability Otago officially launched (October 15 2020)

A significant new chapter in sustainability education has begun.
“Whaiao - Education for Sustainability Otago” was officially launched by Stephen Town, Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Chief Executive, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, today, Thursday 15 October.
The launch was part of a day-long workshop that involved a broad range of partners joined by a common goal – to identify and address sustainability issues in our region.
Previously known as the Otago Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, Whaiao is literally translated as “daylight”, or “letting the light in”.
Like the landscape of the Otago region, the network of organisations involved in the initiative is both large and diverse: mana whenua, educators, students, researchers, non-profit agencies, local government leaders, businesses and community members.
Today’s Dunedin workshop included: Kāi Tahu, Dunedin City Council, University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Regional Council, Otago Chamber of Commerce, Naylor Love, Contact Energy, Queenstown Resort College, Untouched World Foundation, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Wanaka Tourism, and many other businesses and groups, including several secondary schools.
These partners have been working under a United Nations University mandate since January 2020, when the Otago region was named a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) for Sustainability.
Suggested by Megan Pōtiki (Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou) and inspired by the creation narrative that was recorded by Matiaha Tiramorehu in the 1800s, the title Whaiao enshrines a vision of a strong yet agile organization that aims to identify and lead action to advance regional and global sustainability goals.
Whaiao has established a bicultural framework that is a first for any RCE in the world. The partnership model with mana whenua offers great opportunities to provide leadership to other RCEs regarding effective partnership with indigenous partners and communities.
This collaborative spirt was in evidence throughout the workshop, as attendees split into a range of working groups to discuss key issues, including biculturalism, sustainable towns and cities, partnerships, primary industries, water, tourism, and education.
“Whaiao is driven by local people wanting to work together for a sustainable future. We are collaborating to promote sustainability education, training, and public awareness,” Dr Barry Law, Director of Whaiao - Education for Sustainability Otago, says.
“We have collaborative partnerships and governance in place, and an ability to take action.”
Also present at the launch, Dr Megan Gibbons, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive, says it’s vital to get people excited about sustainability issues. 
“We don’t get behaviour change until we teach people how to incorporate ideas into their life and get into a pattern.   
“It’s also vitally important to correctly identify what the core issues are. For example, a group in Oamaru had suggested culling native seagulls – however, once the core issue was identified (in this case, dirty streets) other options, such as street cleaning, became a solution."
New students welcomed at Orientation (October 15 2020)

We’re welcoming a new cohort of students to our Auckland International Campus this week.
Deputy Chief Executive Gagan Sachdeva welcomed our new cohort at Orientation with a thoughtful message about having a "sense of empathy towards one another".
He led an interactive session with the new students – listening to the challenges they have faced in these unprecedented times and advising them as to how they can make most of this opportunity to rise above the odds.
It’s great that the new cohort has been able to join us despite everything happening around the world.
Most of our students usually arrive from overseas, but with the current border closures, our latest arrivals are predominantly onshore international students.
Students received a Maori welcome from ICT, Facilities & Customer Services Manager Sonny Teio and Student Success Manager Annemarie Meijnen at Orientation this morning. They then met the wider team of staff.
Gagan told the new students all staff are here to serve and support them: “We’re all one big family. Reach out and we will be there to support you all through.”
The Orientation also included a session about services, facilities and support available to students, a campus tour, an introduction to employability services, an IT induction, and an academic orientation.
Otago Polytechnic lecturer wins Corrections award (October 13 2020)

Otago Polytechnic lecturer Jade Morgan has been awarded the Arts Access Corrections Māui Tikitiki ā Taranga Award 2020, recognising his work at Otago Corrections’ Facility.
Jade received the Māui Tikitiki ā Taranga Award for an individual demonstrating the qualities of Māui (innovation, creativity and leadership) through his work at the prison.
A lecturer with Foundation Studies students within Otago Polytechnic’s College of Community Development and Personal Wellbeing, Jade has twice previously earned a highly commended citation at the Arts Access Corrections Maui Tikitiki a Taranga Awards – in 2018 and 2019.
Announced at an online ceremony* on Tuesday 13 October, the award recognises Jade’s work at Otago Corrections Facility to inspire positive change, and for offering education opportunities to to the men on release from prison.
Jade has a background of working for Community and Marae-based Social Service non-government organisations, delivering programmes on behalf of the community and Iwi (Kai Tahu) to Youth at Risk; in conjunction with a range of Government agencies.
“If I wasn’t employed to teach and guide people, I’d be doing this mahi for free – because this world is meant for us all,” Jade says.
“Love and compassion includes trying to join learners on their paths, trying to plan with them and, hopefully, inspiring and empowering them to learn.”
“Education gives people a second chance. Certainly, it was – and continues to be – a transformational force in my life. It provides opportunities. For me, it is also about giving back to others.
“From my own experiences, I have seen how education can not only change lives – but save lives.”
Jade’s tikanga programme, Te Hōkai Manea Tipuna (“the glowing footsteps of our ancestors”), runs once a week for eight weeks and is offered four times a year. The programme has a strong emphasis on developing skills and discipline and ancestral practices, values and protocols through the learning of mau rakau, mau patu and ti rakau, kapa haka, waiata and whaikōrero (oratory).
Jade says the goal of his programme is to inspire the mostly Māori participants to make positives changes in their lives, and help them to understand who they are and where they come from.
“If you want to find redemption and to rehabilitate then it’s essential to have access to arts and cultures,” Jade says.
“It’s a right, not a privilege, to have access to your culture.”
Sherie Lucke, Principal Adviser Rehabilitation and Learning, Otago Corrections Facility, says Jade’s programme has a significant impact on participants.
“The men are hungry for knowledge and connection with the journey of their ancestors and their own cultural identity (whakapapa). Participants develop their own sense of whanau within the group, and I have seen the growth of their mana and pride through the Te Hokai Manea Tipuna programme and as they stand tall at graduation.
“Reconnection is an important part of a person’s rehabilitation and healing; helping them develop strong foundations for participation in the community.
“Jade ignites a spark in the men. He has a way of captivating people and as a result of working alongside Jade, we see men who have been disconnected from their whanau reach out to grandparents to find out more about where they come from and who they are.
“If only we could clone him, the world would be a brighter place! Jade is a worthy recipient of this award. He is a very humble man and is greatly respected by everyone he meets, the men in our care and our staff.”
*A prerecorded video of the event will feature on Arts Access Aotearoa’s website.
New Student Representative for OPAIC (October 19 2020)

We’d like to introduce our new student representative, Polina Artiushkina.
Polina comes from Moscow, Russia and is studying the Master of Applied Management at OPAIC.
She’s been actively involved in student and campus life since August 2019. Polina’s helped with events as a Student Ambassador and has also volunteered with external organisations.
Her strong skillset and personality traits have helped her achieve academically and lead an active student life.
She has excellent time management, engagement, and focus on results. These traits have led to good academic results and to receiving an Excellent Scholars Award in Study Block 4.
Good communication skills have help her connect with students and the academic staff, and her friendliness and openness have helped her make friends from different cultures.
Polina says being a Student Representative is an opportunity for her to showcase her leadership skills, find solutions in different situations, listen to advice, and consider the opinions of others as a member of the OPAIC team.
If you have any questions or you would like to talk to Polina about anything from academics, to personal issues, to social events, please come and see her on Level 1 on Mondays and Thursdays between 9am until 1pm or email AICstudentrep@op.ac.nz.
Otago Polytechnic Lecturer finalist for Best Design Awards 2020 (October 1 2020)

Matthew Galloway, an Otago Polytechnic Lecturer in Design (Communication), is a contender for two prizes at next month’s prestigious Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards 2020.
Matthew’s collaboration with award-winning musician Dudley Benson on the design and visual language for the album Zealandia earned him a place as a finalist in the Design Communication category.
And his work with Louise Menzies for 2019, part of a Francis Hodgkins Fellowship exhibition at the Hocken, gained Matthew a place as a finalist in the Editorial and Books category.
The Best Design Awards, to be held in Auckland on 13 November, are an annual showcase of excellence in graphic, spatial, product, interactive and motion design.
Previous Best Awards finalists and winners have built on their success to launch high-profile design careers in New Zealand and overseas.
However, Matthew already has a highly stimulating and rewarding career.
As a Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic (since 2016), he teaches Communication Design, specialising in Graphic Design.
But, like many Lecturers working in Design disciplines within Otago Polytechnic’s Te Maru Pumanawa: College of Creative Practice and Enterprise, Matthew also does design.
As a practising designer, he collaborates with a broad range of clients, be they artists or commercial industry types.
“I like sharing ideas and collaborating with others. I really like how Otago Polytechnic supports me to invest in my own practice and research.
“It’s a feedback loop.
“I do design – and that informs my teaching. The experiences I gain from projects flows into my teaching.
“And I teach design – and that informs my design practice.
“In a symbiotic way, working with students, talking to them about design and trying to distil complex ideas helps me solidify certain ideas.”
Having previously won Bronze and Silver awards at the Best Design Awards, Matthew says he is proud to be recognised as a finalist.
“But both these projects were the result of strong collaborations. Nether would exist if they were based on more traditional client-designer briefs.”
STUDENT AND GRADUATE FINALISTS
In addition, an Otago Polytechnic student and a graduate have been named finalists in the Best Design Awards.
Third-year Bachelor of Design (Product) student Zoe Morehu is a finalist in the Student Toitanga category.
Bachelor of Architectural Studies 2019 graduate Rata Scott van Tippelskirch is a finalist in the Student Spatial category.
“We are very excited to have these projects selected as finalists in two categories,” says Caroline Terpstra, Head of School of Design, Otago Polytechnic.
“Rata is amongst the first graduates from the Bachelor of Architectural Studies at Otago Polytechnic, having previously completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts here.
“Zoe is in the final year of a Bachelor of Design (Product), in what has been an extraordinary and hugely disrupted year,” Caroline says.
“We are thrilled to see the work of both these talented designers acknowledged by the judges.”
Read more about these Best Design Awards 2020 finalist entries:
https://bestawards.co.nz/graphic/design-communication/matthew-galloway-1/dudley-benson-zealandia/
https://bestawards.co.nz/graphic/editorial-and-books/matthew-galloway-1/2019-by-louise-menzies/
https://bestawards.co.nz/toitanga/student-toitanga/zoe-hikairo-morehu/pare/
https://bestawards.co.nz/spatial/student-spatial/rata-scott-von-tippelskirch-1/off-the-beaten-track/
Read more about our Design programmes
Using machine learning to predict crime risk (September 28 2020)

A group of OPAIC students are using their IT skills to predict crime risk in New Zealand and they hope the police will one day be able to make use of their research.
Wisanu Boonrat, April Love Naviza (Love) and Vimitaben Mukeshchandra Vaidya (Vimita) recently completed their Graduate Diploma in Information Technology Mini Project about crime prediction.
They used historical crime data, algorithms, and machine learning to develop a model. Users can enter a location, date, and time into that model and see a map which shows risk level based on that data. It can even show the risk level by crime type.
The team of students has created a user interface which those without a data science background can use, as well as a Microsoft BI dashboard which more specialised people can operate and use to generate reports.
Now that they’ve finished their Graduate Diploma, they hope another group of students might pick this project up and continue to improve the tool.
They hope the technology will eventually be presented to police, who could use it to predict crime risk and allocate resources accordingly.
The team says they’ve learned a lot from the project. Covid-19 restricted the way they could work together physically, so they had to get creative, meeting online at least once a week and organising their tasks using a project management tool called Jira.
They each took turns acting in the roles of Project Manager, Developer and ‘Scrum Master’, so all gained a good understanding of various aspects of the project.
This project is a part of Head of IT Dr Farhad Mehdipour’s ongoing research, funded by OPAIC.
Farhad says the students did exemplary work and achieved 100 percent for both the technical and transferable skills aspects of the project. It is the first project to achieve such a high grade in his time at OPAIC. He says all three students have consistently performed well during their study.
The students say they couldn’t have done it without Farhad. He suggested the project to them and supported them throughout. They met with him weekly to present their findings and next steps.
The students have now finished their study and are looking for full-time IT jobs in New Zealand.
Love is also working as peer tutor at OPAIC and all three have recently started internships with Data Vizioner, where they are putting the skills they learned during their Mini Project to use.
"Empowering" opening day at Student Voice Symposium (September 24 2020)

“The opening day of this important symposium has been deeply empowering."
That was the summary of Nathan Laurie, Otago Polytechnic Student Association president, at the close of formalities on the first day of the inaugural Student Voice Symposium hosted by Otago Polytechnic.
Around 50 student representatives from several polytechnics, including Otago Polytechnic, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Whitireia/WelTec and Eastern Institute of Technology (Hawkes Bay) were present, as were some Otago University students, who offered opinions.
“Students from all levels have had their voices represented," Nathan reflected.
“And it has been heartening to have so many Otago Polytechnic staff present to listen to students. Our concerns are not aimed at any one institution, but we do need to be heard.”
The opening day comprised a conference with speakers, presentations and panels, to give local and wider perspectives on the ITP student experience.
The second day begins at 9.30am tomorrow (Friday September 25) and will consist of workshops around self-growth, student lifestyle, community building, workplace knowledge, campaigning, and student representation.
Otago Polytechnic to host Student Voice Symposium (September 23 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin campus will be thrumming with student opinions, ideas, concerns and discussions this week.
The inaugural Student Voice Symposium - Te Reo Tuatahi is an opportunity for vocational education students from across Aotearoa to connect and discuss student culture and the future of learning.
Starting tomorrow, Thursday 24 September, the two-day event has been organised by Otago Polytechnic students and staff.
“The main themes we're addressing are our needs, including social, financial and mental barriers to studying well; our culture and lifestyle; as well as our career prospects,” says Nathan Laurie, Otago Polytechnic Student Association President.
The opening day will comprise a conference with speakers, presentations and a panel, as well as a round-table activity to encourage interaction between the attendees. The panels will consist of Otago Polytechnic students and national student leaders, to give local and wider perspectives on the ITP student experience.
The second day begins at 9:30am and will consist of workshop sessions around self-growth, student lifestyle, community building, workplace knowledge, campaigning, and student representation.
DETAILS:
Student Voice Symposium - Te Reo Tuatahi
Thursday-Friday, 24-25 September
The Hub, Otago Polytechnic, Forth St, Dunedin,
Full schedule
For more information, visit
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/235203227671063/
Instagram: @studentvoicesymposium
Otago Polytechnic helping foster game development in Dunedin (September 17 2020)

The New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) has joined forces with Swedish-based FutureGames and Otago Polytechnic, to develop new, world-class vocational training to supply talent for Dunedin’s burgeoning video games industry.
The partnership is the latest milestone for CODE, a Dunedin-based national hub that is working towards the development of a $1 billion video game industry over the next ten years.
Dunedin City Council’s Enterprise Dunedin Director, John Christie, says, “This is a major opportunity for CODE and New Zealand in general. Until now, tertiary students wanting to get into the gaming industry have had limited options, so we expect the programme will attract students from around the country and, eventually, further afield.
“Through the international relationships we have forged with industry experts, such as FutureGames, the transformation of Dunedin’s digital economy is one step closer. This will position the city as a global player in the video games industry, creating new economic growth and sustainable employment opportunities.”
CODE Establishment Director, Tim Pointing, is thrilled with the initiative, saying, “Game development is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing creative careers. FutureGames is ranked second best game development school in the world, and with their expertise alongside Otago Polytechnic’s strengths in interactive media, this programme will produce graduates that can immediately apply their skills in the local gaming studio environment.”
The first step in its collaboration with Otago Polytechnic initiates a research and engagement programme with the gaming industry in Dunedin and nationally, to identify current gaps and build a fit-for-purpose training course.
Oonagh McGirr, Deputy Chief Executive: Learning and Teaching Services, Otago Polytechnic, says, “This exciting initiative draws on our collective strengths, including the expertise and vision within our Communication Design and Information Technology disciplines.
“In terms of working for the benefit and future of our regional community, creating opportunities in niche industry areas is vitally important.”
As Otago Polytechnic’s CODE representative, Oonagh believes the collaboration aligns well with the recently established New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST-working title), of which Otago Polytechnic is a subsidiary.
Earlier in the year, CODE launched a $700,000 startup and kickstart fund to nurture Dunedin’s video game development ecosystem. The fund attracted 56 Expressions of Interest from existing game developers, which are currently being assessed. Successful projects will lay the foundations for new gaming studios and products in the years ahead, which in turn will create employment pathways for Otago Polytechnic programme graduates.
Read more about our Design and Information Technology programmes
Success Story: Malde Keshvala (September 16 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus felt like home for Malde Keshvala, who came all the way from India to study the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology here.
“I never felt like I was in an overseas country and away from home, as staff within OPAIC are very welcoming and help each student to get the best outcome,” he says.
Malde completed a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and worked in the software development and cloud computing sector in India, prior to coming to New Zealand.
He selected OPAIC because he was looking for an institute with a good reputation and great recognition in New Zealand education, and a place where he could utilise all his previous study and work experience.
The programme content was also very important for him as he wanted to learn about advanced subjects and enhance his knowledge in fourth-generation IT subjects such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Graduate Diploma in Information Technology ticked all the boxes and he also liked that it focused on practical assignments and activities.
Malde has loved his time at OPAIC.
“It's been a great journey which has allowed me to learn about advanced subjects and technology areas, which will add immense value to my career moving forward.”
He’s been able to push the boundaries in some subjects for great outcomes.
“IoT subject is a great example of it where we built a solution using a combination of different technology stacks such as IoT Devices, Cloud Computing, Networking, Programming, and electric sensors.”
All staff have been very supportive from day one and helped him through his programme, says Malde.
“Teaching methods are world-class and the weekly assessments and projects allowed me to use my knowledge and build projects throughout my study.”
He also liked that students came from different backgrounds and various countries, giving him the chance to learn about different cultures.
Malde had the opportunity to work with an investment firm called Trove for his internship.
“The organisation has great initiatives in the financial services sector.”
He says the best part of the internship was the people. They represented everything he had read about the true kiwi culture before coming to New Zealand.
“The team is very supportive and helped me a lot throughout my time at Trove. I can see plenty of improvements in the last three months in my technical and soft-skills and all credit goes to the Trove team.”
“I had a great opportunity to work with great leaders, technical experts, business leaders, and a truly advanced technology stack using various aspects of Cloud computing.”
After completing his internship, Trove offered him a permanent role. Malde is now a Junior Developer at the company.
Read more about the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology here.
Dunedin School of Art exhibition offers slice of history (September 11 2020)

A small but significant exhibition, opening next week, provides a slice of history of the Dunedin School of Art.
Commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Dunedin School of Art, Timetable (abridged) features several works of significance, dating (*with one exception) to the early 1970s, not long after the DSA was amalgamated with Otago Polytechnic in 1966.
Opening on Monday September 14, the exhibition comprises a fraction of the more than 1600 catalogued works of the Dunedin School of Art Otago Polytechnic Art Collection, which adorns the student, staff and public environments of the Polytechnic and supports learning as a teaching tool.
Although many have studied at the DSA over the decades, sadly there are no identified works from this earlier period within the collection.
However, the collection continues to grow as new accessions are acquired every year through donations or purchases from staff, artists-in-residence or students.
Curated by Marion Wassenaar, Dunedin School of Art collection coordinator, Timetable (abridged) will run at the DSA Gallery from September 14-18 and features the following works:
*Unknown artist, Plaster Relief (1870): This plaster relief is a legacy to David Con Hutton’s establishment of the Dunedin School of Art. He arrived in the country with a shipment of plaster models used as drawing aids.
Ans Westra, Wellington Trade Fair, 1970, gelatin silver print, fibre-based paper: The oldest recorded work in the collection is by visiting artist Ans Westra, who undertook an artist-in-residence in 1998. Some possible older works have either no recorded name or are undated.
Michel Tuffery, Pakeha Ata Koe Kore, 1986, etching and aquatint: Renowned artist, Michel Tuffery, features in the 1980s completing his Diploma in Fine Arts (Honours) in 1988 followed by a Master of Fine Arts (Honorary) 2014 and an Otago Polytechnic Distinguished Alumni award in 2019.
Jim Tomlin, Te Tomokanga, 1990, acrylic on canvas: Jim Tomlin was the Head of School at the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic from 1976 until his retirement in 2000. This year Jim received the ONZM for his services to art education.
Irena Kennedy, Pug, Best in Show, 2005, fibreglass, enamel, flock, glass: The David Con Hutton Perpetual Trust Memorial Scholarship has for many years been offered to a completing undergraduate student for further postgraduate study. Irena Kennedy was the recipient in 2006 going on to complete her Master of Fine Arts at Monash University, Melbourne.
Areta Wilkinson, Whakapapa VI, 2019, kokowai, (red ochre), coal, flax, baling twine: Nohoaka Toi Kai Tahu is a biennial Kai Tahu Residency that supports artists who contribute to Ngāi Tahu arts and connect with the local area and communities. Areta Wilkinson undertook this residency in 2019.
Georgia Castle, Aidan Geraghty, Isaiah Okeroa, Poni ki tatou haerenga - The truth of our journey, 2020, ceramic and plaited harakeke: Included in the exhibition is a work from 2020, donated by first-year students who worked on a collaboration in their Studio Methodologies project. The title of the work has significance for their project, but it equally reflects these past 150 years of art education and practice in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Caption: Areta Wilkinson, Whakapapa VI, 2019, kokowai, (red ochre), coal, flax, baling twine
Success Story: Jenny Yang (September 10 2020)

Willingness to learn and a can-do attitude are essential for succeeding in the New Zealand workforce, according to a recent graduate who is now working for a property management company.
Jie (Jenny) Yang came to New Zealand in February 2018 to study the Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing at OPAIC.
Having completed a real estate degree and worked in the sector for many years in China, she knew she wanted a change and started thinking about studying overseas.
“New Zealand is the first country I thought about moving to,” she says.
New Zealand appealed to Jenny because the cost of study here is affordable. She also loves nature and enjoys skiing.
“The nature is pure, and the people are pure as well,” she says.
But there was also an element of destiny at play. When friends heard she was considering studying in New Zealand, they introduced her to somebody who grew up in her hometown and had been living in Auckland for six years. They thought he could provide some advice about the country.
“But we fell in love. So, it must be destiny to meet and come to New Zealand,” says Jenny.
After meeting her future husband, Jenny worked on her English, passed the proficiency test, and received an offer to study at OPAIC.
She immersed herself in New Zealand life as soon as she arrived, becoming part of her local Community Patrol and OPAIC Student Ambassadors, which gave her great opportunities to meet others and practice her English.
OPAIC recommended a Chinese company called GRALIN Property Management for her industry project, where she could put her real estate background to use.
The company offered her a part-time job after she completed her industry project. That turned into a full-time job as Office Administrator and Assistant Property Manager after she graduated.
Jenny says students shouldn’t expect to begin their New Zealand career in senior roles. It’s more important to get a foot in the door then continue to improve themselves and their English abilities.
The most important thing is for students to be keen to learn, and to have a can-do attitude, she says.
Awards highlight adult learners’ resilience and generosity (September 1 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s Adult Learning Awards, to be held on Thursday 10 September, shine a light on learning paths strewn with personal challenges.
From the implications of Covid-19, to the effects of the Christchurch mosque attacks of 2019, a wide range of Otago Polytechnic adult learners will celebrate their academic journeys this week.
Sixteen present or past Otago Polytechnic English Language Centre (ELC) students – as well as the entire cohort of ELC staff (8) – have been nominated for awards, which will be presented on Thursday evening at Otago Polytechnic’s Manaaki Restaurant.
The ceremony comprises two categories: Outstanding Adult Learner Award, and Exceptional Adult Educator Award.
The Outstanding Adult Learner Award celebrates the achievements of an adult learner (or group of learners).
Criteria include: learns with enthusiasm; has an infectious determination to learn; supports and encourages others to engage in adult learning; willingly shares new skills, knowledge and abilities with others; uses learning as a basis for improving his/her personal or professional life and/or the lives of others.

“The nominated students share a belief that language learning, tertiary study and cultural understanding are pathways to a better life,” says Aaron Blaker, Head, English Language.

“Many have overcome great difficulty on the road to success, including years spent living in camps and several attempts to reach safe asylum by sea or land. Some have never experienced or completed formal schooling; others have completed qualifications in their home countries and are now changing careers and cultures.
“Whether supporting children or partners in their own tertiary study, encouraging classmates during the period of learning online or balancing several part-time jobs with full-time study and family responsibilities, these students have been outstanding,” Aaron reflects.

“The challenges have kept coming in 2019 and 2020, but the prevailing attitude toward learning of the nominated students has encompassed dignity, intelligence, and collaboration: qualities and lives worth celebrating."

In addition, the Exceptional Adult Educator Award recognises an educator (or a group of educators) in the fields of adult education and training.
Criteria include: ensures a quality learning environment for adult learners which is also collaborative and cooperative; has exceptional commitment to excellence and the advancement of his/her learners; demonstrates good practice in programme conception, design, implementation and evaluation; responds to adult learners’ needs with creativity and innovation; recognises that he/she is sometimes teacher, sometimes learner.
“For the past two years, this group of educators has worked together and individually to provide a quality, values-centred and deeply human learning environment for tertiary students studying English as an additional language,” Aaron says.
“It was during the aftermath of the Christchurch shootings in March 2019 that the centre’s exceptional commitment to care, courage and empowerment was clearly visible to and appreciated by learners, who were supported to continue in their language learning in a realistic and holistic way.
“In March 2020, during the period of Covid-enforced lockdown, teachers were learning as much as the students, which can be a vulnerable position when so much else is already far removed from the norm; an applied belief in ako – educators as co-learners with students – allowed the teaching and professional staff to implement flexible plans and meet learner needs with grace and integrity.

“In short, the English Language Centre team and individuals have been shining stars in what have been two challenging and unprecedented years in the lives of their learners and themselves.”

The awards take place during the nationwide Manaaki Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga 2020 (from September 7-13).
The Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga (formerly Adult Learners’ Week/He Tangata Mātauranga) aims to raise the profile of adult learning in New Zealand and to celebrate the wide range of learning opportunities available, and the impact that adult learning has on people’s lives.
More than 65,000 adults are engaged in some form of learning every year.
Celebrating secondary students' artistic expression (September 2 2020)

The Celebrate Art Secondary Schools Art Awards 2020 have attracted a range of exciting and accomplished works.
Now in its sixth year, the Dunedin School of Art event features more than 70 entries from year-12 and year-13 pupils from 11 Otago secondary schools.
Professor Federico Freschi, Head of College, Te Maru Pūmanawa: Creative Practice and Enterprise, and fellow judges Rachel Allan and Marion Wassenaar, of the Dunedin School of Art, commended the students for their resilience and hard work during what has been a disrupted and difficult year.
“This year is proving to be challenging for many students and the effects of isolation and lockdown appears as a theme in several works in the show,” the judges say.
“Painting and photography have featured prominently, with the addition of collage, sculpture and video works.”
This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Reveley, a year-13 student at St Hilda’s Collegiate, who receives a scholarship to cover fees for the first semester of a second-year programme within Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin School of Art.
Her work, Vol 8, appears at first glance to reference a magazine cover with touches of surrealism and automatic drawing.
“With further examination, it begins to suggest a therapist’s doodling as they try to tap into the unconsciousness of their patient,” the judges note.
“Extending beyond the confines of a traditional frame, Vol 8 is rendered on discarded medical manila folders with bold strokes and an unencumbered palette. Offering up both an outward and inward view of the self, the three works teeter on the edge of the metal, extending the feeling of unease for the viewer.”
The top individual entries from each school receive a Certificate of Excellence. In addition, Gordon Harris has donated sketchbooks and art supply vouchers to all the winners.
The students’ work is being exhibited at the DSA Gallery until 4 September.
Caption: Vol 8, by Charlotte Reveley, a year-13 student at St Hilda’s Collegiate.
Top scholars grateful for support (September 1 2020)

Our most recent batch of Excellent Scholars are grateful to their lecturers for the support they’ve provided to help them succeed.
Staff and students gathered on Microsoft Teams yesterday for our Excellent Scholar Awards, which celebrate the students who achieved top grades in each programme during the last Study Block.
Those students were Shihong Zheng, Yuhan Li, Udesh Muthuranga Hettige, Jasmeen Kaur, Cecelia Samantha George, Thi Phuong Anh Le, Polina Artiushkina, Jinwei Yang, Dhiya Denny, Nemanja Vukikjevikj, Santhosh Kumar Kumaresan, Joanna Ritz De Cracia, Pai Liu and Richard Nange.
Group Chief Executive Sam Alavi told students their awards were a great achievement in a difficult time and worthy of a double celebration.
Award winners then had the opportunity to share the secrets of their success. They talked about working hard and not being afraid to ask for help. Many said how grateful they were for the support they received from their lecturers during this difficult time.
Staff spoke about the community of learning here at OPAIC where all staff and students learn from each other. They said students had worked together and helped each other out during the lockdown. They showed comradery, worked hard, and had fun getting involved in experiential exercises.
Staff also talked about the strong bonds students and alumni had with each other and with the campus as a result of the support everyone gives each other inside and outside of the classroom.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (September 8 2020)

This year Te Wiki o te Reo Māori will be celebrated at OP from 14 – 18 Hepetema – and there are plenty of free, fun events and activities for you to enjoy. We will share more details with you closer to the time – but in the meantime, here are some events for you to add to your calendar.

Waiata and whakaoriori in The Hub
12noon, Monday 14
The Hub
Be one in one million! Learn more here.

Treasure Hunt
12noon, Tuesday 15
The Hub
Can you solve the Te Reo Māori clues to find the taonga?

Introduction to Te Reo Māori
11am, Wednesday 16
F215
Te Reo Māori for beginners, led by Kaiārahi Shaun Tahau.

Kōrero Café
12noon, Wednesday 16
The Hub
An opportunity to practice your Te Reo Māori.

Wharewhare (also known as Bingo!)
12noon, Thursday 17
The Hub
Test your Te Reo Māori during a game of bingo.

Introduction to Te Reo Māori
1pm, Thursday 17
F215
Te Reo Māori for beginners, led by Kaiārahi Shaun Tahau.

Hangi fundraiser
12noon, Friday 18
The Quad
$10 for staff, free for tauira . Proceeds to the Student Voice Symposium.
Pre-purchase your hangi (as soon as possible) from Te Punaka Ōwheo or Customer Services.

Visit the Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori website for resources and more information.
Otago Polytechnic maintains focus on safety (August 14 2020)

Otago Polytechnic will maintain its rigorous approach to learner and staff safety during Covid Alert Level 2.
Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin and Central Campuses continue to remain at Alert Level 2 operations in response to the Government’s Covid-19 announcement on Friday 14 August.
Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus has been closed since Wednesday, when the city moved to Alert Level 3. All teaching, learning and support services are now available online.
However, our Dunedin and Central Campuses reopened for all face-to-face teaching on Thursday 13 August. This included all clinics, placements and workshops.
“The health and safety of our learners and staff remains our top priority,” Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons says.
“We are confident we have implemented a broad range of measures to effectively deal with Covid-related issues.
“These include ensuring all our learners and staff are aware of our move to Alert Level 2 and what steps they need to take to safeguard themselves, their fellow students and colleagues and their friends and whānau.”
Additional steps have been taken to safeguard the health and safety of the 220 residents at Te Pā Tauira-Otago Polytechnic Student Village. These include no visitors (implemented at Alert Level 2 earlier this week), split dining shifts, and separate resident “bubbles” per floor.
“Our Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) will meet daily online to ensure regular updates are communicated to staff and students,” Dr Gibbons says.
“We acknowledge this is a stressful and uncertain time for everybody. We have been proactive in communicating a range of support processes available to students and staff.”
Otago Polytechnic’s pastoral care and student support services include emergency contacts, online counselling, online IT support and financial assistance.
Key decisions include:
- suspension of all domestic travel involving public transport for Otago Polytechnic staff
- students to use the NZ COVID Tracer app when on campus
- students to maintain a distance of 1m in shared spaces on campus (apart from in classes, where registers will be taken as per TEC guidelines)
- Alert Level 2 signage and information put up around campuses, across digital channels and in emails to students and staff
- Any classes requiring PPE to follow Government guidelines
Nursing lecturer wins national teaching award (August 13 2020)

Otago Polytechnic School of Nursing Lecturer Josie Crawley has won an Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award.
Josie is one of four teachers to win a $20,000 award in the “General – Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching” section.
Josie’s teaching career has been a diverse one, with students ranging from parents with intellectual disabilities, to prisoners, to Plunket workers.
Over the past two decades she has devoted her time to preparing students for careers in nursing or, in her own words, “developing compassionate nurses”. In doing so, she has had a considerable impact on the field of nurse education — locally, nationally, and internationally.
“I view teaching as a real privilege. I love nothing more than sitting one-on-one with a student on a clinical placement and see them make all the connections.”
A dedicated, intuitive, and authentic educator, Josie uses storytelling as an empowering, transformational educational tool.
“I like to construct learning environments that enable students to flourish — both within themselves and in their ability to connect with clients,” Josie explains. 
“Helping students connect with sensitive and difficult concepts better enables them to relate these to their own practice. I actively involve students in the learning process.”
As one student says: “Josie manages to turn every learning experience into a positive one”.
Another states: “I really enjoyed Josie's caring personality ... she always had time to talk to anybody when they had an issue. I have found her an inspiration to nursing.”
Ian Crabtree, Head of College: Health (including School of Nursing), says Josie is a highly valued member of staff within Te Kura Tapuhi: School of Nursing and across Otago Polytechnic.
“The Ako Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award is among the most prestigious teaching awards in New Zealand.
“It is so well deserved. Josie is one of Te Kura Tapuhi’s excellent educators.
“Josie’s contribution to the school, nursing and education of our learners is second to none. She is totally learner-focused and has amazing skills in bringing the best out of our nursing students in both theory as well as supervision whilst in clinical practice.
“Josie’s contribution to research within the school, Otago Polytechnic and the wider community is of a high standard, as is her support of new educators into education.”
Josie joins three other staff members within the school who have been awarded Ako awards in previous years: Dr Liz Ditzel, Mereana Rapata-Hanning and the late Jude Roddick.”
Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons says the award reflects a strong culture of excellence at the institution.
“The School of Nursing has achieved excellent results for our learners in recent years with 100% passing the registration exam, and 97% gaining employment at the end of their degree.
“There was strong interest in our Nursing programme at Monday’s Tertiary Open Day. This reflects the quality of the programme, the excellent teachers, the clinical practice and experiences and the innovation implemented into what we do.”
Read more about the 2020 TTEA awardees on the Ako Aotearoa website https://ako.ac.nz/our-community/tertiary-teaching-excellence-awards/
Exploring career opportunities at expo (August 13 2020)

Our students and new graduates had the opportunity to explore the job market at the Careers Expo at ASB Showgrounds last week.
Three staff and about 25 students and graduates went along to the event.
The current students were looking for part-time job opportunities and planning their futures, while the new graduates were exploring the market for full-time opportunities.
Companies at the event represented different industries including construction, hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and recruitment.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn about the current job market and network.
We also had the chance to meet up with our Dunedin colleagues who had an Otago Polytechnic stand at the expo.
Otago Polytechnic moves to Alert Level 2 (August 12 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin and Central Campuses moved to Alert Level 2 operations as of 12pm on Wednesday 12 August in response to the Government’s Covid-19 announcement.
As a precautionary measure – and to better enable staff to prepare and implement Level 2 protocols – Otago Polytechnic closed its Dunedin and Central campuses for face-to-face learning today (Wednesday 12 August).
However, our Dunedin and Central Campuses will reopen for face-to-face teaching from Thursday 13 August. This includes all clinics, placements and workshops. 
Given the Alert Level-3 situation in Auckland, our Auckland International Campus will be closed all week.
“Our Critical Incident Management Team met yesterday. We are confident we have implemented a broad range of measures to effectively deal with Covid-related issues,” Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons says.
“This includes ensuring all our learners and staff are aware of our move to Alert Level 2 and what steps they need to take to safeguard themselves, their fellow students and colleagues and their friends and whānau.
Key initial decisions include:
- suspension of all domestic travel involving public transport for Otago Polytechnic staff
- students to use the NZ COVID Tracer app when on campus
- students to maintain a distance of 1m in shared spaces on campus (apart from in classes, where registers will be taken as per TEC guidelines)
- Alert Level 2 signage and information put up around campuses, across digital channels and in emails to students and staff
- Any classes requiring PPE to follow Government guidelines
Hamish's quick transition helps in Nuggets' success (August 12 2020)

Hamish Robertson didn’t let injury stand in the way of him playing a hand in the Otago Nuggets’ successful 2020 National Basketball League campaign.
The 24-year-old guard had been training with the Nuggets’ squad, but he injured his AC joint two weeks before the NBL draft.
However, like all good basketballers, he made a quick transition – pivoting his thoughts from playing to providing intel for the Nuggets, who claimed their first NBL title in early August.
Hamish is studying for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Science, specialising in performance analysis, at Otago Polytechnic.
Thus he was able to combine his academic knowledge with his basketball insights to provide the Nuggets with some important analysis.
“I also knew the styles of play the Nuggets wanted to achieve and what they’d plan to run on offence and defence,” says Hamish, who is quick to add that he was “one cog in a larger machine”.
“I did some analyzing of the Nuggets’ defence after a loss, but my role was mainly to scout their opposition.”
Hamish’s tasks included preparing and coding video footage for the Nuggets’ staff as well as players. For example, summarizing aspects of an opposition team’s key tactics, as well as highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
This included working closely with the coach, Brent Matahaere.
“We’d often talk about an opponent while we were both watching the game, to see if we saw anything different. In the video sessions, the coach would use my playlists to give the team an idea of what to expect and to formulate a game plan.”
Hamish says he is pondering a range of options for his future.
“I’m considering doing my Masters, while applying for one of the internship roles at the Highlanders. But if I was able to find work in basketball, I think I’d pursue that.”
Read more about our postgraduate programmes
Tertiary Open Day provides taste of student life (August 7 2020)

Otago Polytechnic will welcome prospective students to campus on Monday.
Dunedin Tertiary Open Day, on 10 August from 9am to 3.30pm, is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to come to Dunedin, explore Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago, and discover what student life is like in Dunedin.
Visitors can take campus tours, tour Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago and affiliated student accommodation, and take part in expo events and subject sessions throughout the day around both campuses. These sessions include presentations, demonstrations and activities. There will also be the opportunity to chat to support staff and students as well as get career and academic advice.
Leanne Ross, Otago Polytechnic Director: Marketing, Sales and Communications, says would-be students will get a taste of life at Otago Polytechnic.
“It's a full day of seminars and activities. We can't wait to welcome learners and their whānau to our campus to experience what we have to offer.”
For the first time, visitors are being encouraged to download the On-campus Open Day app to help make the most of their time on campus.
It has everything they will need for the day: campus maps, tour information, expo details and presentation times for both the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. Visitors can even personalise their own agendas for the day.
You can find more information about Tertiary Open Day here
Latest RoVE news (August 6 2020)

Find out the latest news across the RoVE programme here
New students welcomed at historic Orientation (August 5 2020)

We’re welcoming a new cohort of students to our Auckland International Campus this week.
Our current students have gradually been returning to campus over the past six weeks, following the Covid-19 lockdown. From the beginning of Study Block 4 next week, we’ll make a full return to face-to-face classes.
Group Chief Executive Sam Alavi welcomed our new cohort of students at Orientation today, telling them this is an exciting and historic time in the life of the campus.
“It’s good to have the buzz back.”
It’s great that the new cohort has been able to join us despite everything happening around the world.
A large portion of our students usually arrive from overseas, but our latest arrivals are predominantly onshore internationals.
Students received Maori welcomes from ICT, Facilities & Customer Services Manager Sonny Teio and Student Success Manager Annemarie Meijnen at Orientation this morning. They then met the wider team of staff.
Sam told the new students all staff are here to serve and support them: “This is your home and your place.”
Today’s Orientation also includes a session about services, facilities and support available to students, a campus tour, an introduction to employability services, an IT induction, and an academic orientation.
A message from Stephen Town (August 5 2020)

A message from Stephen Town, Chief Executive, New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology:
Kia ora koutou katoa.
Over the past five months, since April 2020, our newly established Poari Akoranga/Academic Board has been focused on defining how they will operate effectively to support our new NZIST environment. It’s an exciting time.
It is widely acknowledged that Poari Akoranga has a big and challenging job ahead. I think there’s significant confidence that once fully developed, the Board will have a positive impact on learners within NZIST’s network by providing strong and clear academic direction and leadership.
The Board has already met on several occasions and a preliminary Terms of Reference (ToR) have been drafted.
I understand there has been some confusion about the preliminary focus and role of Poari Akoranga. This is understandable, because it’s early days for Poari Akoranga and NZIST, and we are working our way through how the Board will interface with subsidiaries, ITOs and NZQA. Now is the right time to ask questions, raise issues and work together to find the answers we need. I know you want more clarity, so let’s work together to define just that.
NZIST’s Council has recognised the need to provide some clarity to Poari Akoranga. At the last meeting they decided that the preliminary ToR will be reviewed to ensure they are fit for purpose and are able to support the future-focused approach that NZIST needs. We need something that helps take us from the ‘now’ and prepare us for the ‘new world’. We don’t need to lock them down immediately if we don’t think we’ve got them right.
The Council also confirmed their expectation of a high trust academic architecture approach. This means for now subsidiaries will continue to manage their own quality across their own provision. The Council has both trust and confidence in current subsidiary academic committees to continue with their good work.
It is expected that subsidiaries continue to maintain academic quality, manage any programme changes and approvals, and continue to deliver their current mix of provision. In simple terms, subsidiary academic committees will continue to manage the ‘now’.
While work is underway to review the ToR, Poari Akoranga will focus on defining the right academic architectural governance systems and structures that will help get us to and support us in the ‘new world’.
Our ‘new world’ will see learners at the very heart of our academic network. We will ensure seamless integration, synchronisation and consistency applied to all learning and learners (work-based, online and on-campus) at all times.
I have already said that Poari Akoranga has a big job ahead, and it’s a very important job too. I think our stakeholders need more connection with and visibility over the work that’s underway. To help make that happen, I’ve suggested the following:
- All agendas, Minutes and papers for Poari Akoranga will be made available on the NZIST website
- A regular panui will be developed and sent to Poari Akoranga’s key stakeholders after each Board meeting. The panui will provide updates, information and further insight into the work undertaken by Poari Akoranga
On Wednesday 12 August, Poari Akoranga will meet face-to-face for the first time in Wellington. They will have their Board meeting and then take part in a half-day workshop. Along with initiating the review of the ToR and developing a workplan, I have suggested they need to spend time considering how they will ensure greater learner and staff participation in their important work. Both can offer significant insight and input and it’s important we capture that at the outset. I’m certain we can enable this to happen quickly, while we work on more formal mechanisms over time.
You will hear more from me on Poari Akoranga as we work together to define what our academic direction will be. My final message is that we don’t have to be in a rush to try and finalise this immediately. I want to see planned and decisive steps. We need to keep our tempo up, and we need to maintain control of our outcomes too. While the end of 2022 is not too far away, we need to ensure the work we do now sets us up to be successful in the future. Let’s work together, collaborate widely for success and make sure we have learners in the middle of our decision making.
Ngā mihi,
Stephen
Don't forget about Hardship Fund for Learners (August 4 2020)

Many staff likely will have heard about the Hardship Fund for Learners (HAFL), which provides temporary financial assistance for currently enrolled tertiary learners who are facing hardship from the impacts of COVID- 19.
“What staff may be less aware of is the fact that, of the around $200k allocated to OP, less than half has been distributed,” says Chris Morland, Deputy Chief Executive Learner Experience.
“So please ensure your students know of this hardship fund, which can be accessed by application through OPSA, in the Hub.
“The purpose of the Hardship Fund for Learners (HAFL) is to provide temporary financial assistance for currently enrolled tertiary learners who are facing hardship from the impacts of COVID- 19. ‘Hardship means any suffering, deprivation or financial challenge faced by a learner due to COVID-19 that is interfering with a learner’s ability to progress with their study.”
The funding must only be used:
(a)for costs incurred from 23 March 2020, and during the Funding Period; and
(b)to support learners facing hardship by:
1.providing direct cash payments; and/or
2.directly purchasing resources on learners’ behalf, where suitable.
The Technology Assistance Fund for Learners is also available. So if you have learners who are struggling, help them make contact with the team at Student Success.
OP Chief Executive Megan Gibbons, along with a number of our board members, have donated part of their OP income (in line with State Services Commission recommendations) to the student hardship fund for 2021 in an effort to help learners and their whanau.
Great feedback for Occupational Therapy team (August 4 2020)

Like so many within OP, our Occupational Therapy staff work hard to ensure learners have the best learning experience possible – this includes dealing with massive disruption, such as that which occurred during semester 1 because of Covid-19.
Our Occupational Therapy team worked tirelessly to ensure students had a simulated Fieldwork 1 experience that would be rewarding and set them up for future fieldwork.
Fieldwork Team Leader and Principal Lecturer Narinder Verma recently received the following feedback from a learner’s parent:
“Dear Narinder, I am a parent of one of your 1^st-year Occupational Therapy students.
“I wanted to take the time to say a huge WELL DONE on the job that you and your colleagues did during lockdown and the remainder of the 1st semester.
“I was most impressed and amazed with how you managed to restructure the course to enable the students to continue to receive a rich and practical learning experience.
“I imagine the changes you had to make came with some real challenges and headaches during particularly trying times for many.
“Your care and concern for your students' health and wellbeing while remaining professional particularly shone through.
“It is warming and encouraging to know our daughter is in very good hands as she begins this next chapter in her life.
“Thank you.”
Tertiary Precinct Project progresses (August 3 2020)

Work to redevelop aspects of Dunedin's student area has progressed with the awarding of a contract for preliminary design work and an indicative business case.
The Dunedin City Council has engaged engineering firm Aecom to investigate improvements in priority areas Union St East, Clyde St, Harbour Tce and Albany St.
The council's "Tertiary Precinct Project", planned together with the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, was recently awarded NZ Transport Agency innovating streets for people funding.
In Union St East, that funding would allow for a redevelopment to reprioritise how the street was used so there was more space for the large numbers of pedestrians who used it daily to move between lectures and meetings.
Read the Otago Daily Times article
NCEA changes to University Entrance due to Covid-19 (July 31 2020)

Due to Covid-19 disruption, NZQA have introduced a change to University Entrance requirements for those learners who have studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020.
Learners now need 12 credits in each of three NZQA approved subjects rather than the standard 14 credits (literacy and numeracy requirements remain the same).
This change applies to all of Otago Polytechnic's degree programmes.
Our Bachelor of Nursing still does require a strong science background so if you would like to discuss your science credits for this programme (biology or chemistry), please ring 0800 762 786 and ask for the School of Nursing or email nursing@op.ac.nz
The only degree which sits outside of this NZQA change is our Bachelor of Midwifery.
The Bachelor of Midwifery will retain its original credits. However, if you don't meet the specific credits and still wish to apply, you can ring 0800 762 786 and ask for the School of Midwifery or email midwifery@op.ac.nz to discuss your situation. This degree also requires a strong science background to be able to successfully complete it but some allowances may be made due to Covid-19 disruption.
If you have any questions about this change or any of our degree programmes, please ring 0800 762 786 or email info@op.ac.nz
You can read a summary of these NZQA changes here >
Success Story: Alimahmad Hudda (July 30 2020)

Alimahmad Hudda came to OPAIC to gain some international experience and pursue his interest in business.
He previously studied Information Technology in his hometown of Surendranagar in Gujarat, India.
“After completing my studies, I joined my family business where I gained some practical knowledge,” says Ali.
“Then I got interested in business so, to gain some international knowledge and experience, I decided to study abroad.”
He chose Otago Polytechnic because it’s one of the top institutes in New Zealand and he could take an English language program as a pathway into a Graduate Diploma in Applied Management.
“The best part of studying at Otago is the learning is fun and there are supportive tutors and a friendly environment,” says Ali.
Ali faced many challenges early on in his studies – assignments could be tough, and it was hard juggling study with his part-time job and his personal life.
However, he persevered, worked extremely hard, and ultimately received the New Zealand Certificate in English Language Excellent Scholar award for his top grades.
He urged any other students who were struggling with their study not to give up, as hard work always paid off and the best was yet to come.
Head of Department for English, Paul Dixon, says Ali came very close to withdrawing from NZCEL (Level 4) and returning to India.
Instead, he took a break, and returned with renewed purpose and determination. He worked closely both with our programme staff and the Learning Support team on Level 8, listened to their feedback, and passed all of his remaining assessments.
“We’re very fortunate to have real depth of English language teaching expertise both within the English department, and the Learning Support Team on Level 8,” says Paul.
This means there is always a member of staff available to provide learners with personalised feedback and guidance on how to study effectively independently outside the classroom.
“Ali is a really good example of someone who benefited from this guidance, but who also had the drive and determination to put it into practice. His Excellent Scholar award was a reflection of this hard work.”
Ali loves his life here in New Zealand.
“The best thing in New Zealand is the natural beauty, as I love to explore nature.”
He also likes the friendly atmosphere and the professional working environment.
Read more about the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 4) here.
Read more about the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management here.
Students and staff volunteer to help NZ environment (July 28 2020)

Winter is the planting season and OPAIC students and staff have joined Conservation Volunteers New Zealand to plant native trees to help restore parks and reserves back to native bush.
Fifteen students and one staff member volunteered at plantings at Atiu Creek Regional Park, Sanders Reserve, Point England Reserve and The Brookby Project, Papakura Stream during our last Study Block.
Some volunteered at multiple events and all together they planted more than 7,000 trees. We are proud of our students who have made time to care for Aotearoa’s environment, on top of their study and work commitments.
Any students keen to volunteer for future events should keep an eye on our Work Ready and Student Community Facebook groups for opportunities.
Green light for Trade Training Centre (July 24 2020)

Otago Polytechnic welcomes the announcement of a multi-million-dollar Trade Training Centre, to be built at the heart of its Forth St Campus.
Dr David Clark, Labour MP for Dunedin North, and Dr Megan Gibbons, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive, unveiled the project at a public gathering at the Dunedin Campus on Friday 24 July.
The $31.7 million Trade Training Centre project was submitted by Otago Polytechnic earlier this year in response to the Government’s call to develop “shovel-ready” projects, aimed at stimulating and supporting economic activity in the city and region.
“The project is significant to both the local and national construction industry as major contractors seek to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID lockdown,” Dr Gibbons says.
Construction activity could begin within months, subject to consent and approval.
The project is likely to employ around 200 tradespeople as well as construction managers and consultants until its completion in mid-2022.
The project would be resourced largely by local tradespersons and companies; construction materials would be sourced by one of the national construction material suppliers; and specialist equipment for the internal fit-out would be sourced both locally and nationally.
“We see our role at Otago Polytechnic as two-fold in the coming years: as we contribute to vocational education in New Zealand, we also acknowledge we have a part to play in the economic recovery,” Dr Gibbons says.
“At a time when young people and mature learners alike, are looking for new career pathways with strong job opportunities, the Trade Training Centre will supply qualified tradespeople for industry that we know local employers, and the country as a whole, will need.
“Future projects in Otago and Dunedin alone include the new Hospital as well as major construction and infrastructure projects planned by the Dunedin City Council and University of Otago for the next 10 years. All these will require a significant increase in qualified tradespeople across the spectrum.
“As a major training provider for engineering and trade – regionally and nationally, Otago Polytechnic is well placed to increase places for more students, as well as be agile in what programmes we deliver to meet the needs in our community,” Dr Gibbons says.
“The new complex will provide an outstanding learning environment, offering modern learning facilities including common learning spaces, to meet industry and more sophisticated learner demands.”
Otago Polytechnic has witnessed a significant rise in student enrolments following the introduction of the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund, a $320 million programme that targets support for areas of study and training, giving learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19.
"Otago Polytechnic’s second semester vocational enrolments are up more than 400 compared to the same time last year.
“This equates to us being almost 7% above budgeted numbers for domestic EFTS for 2020 and is largely a result of the TTAF,” Dr Gibbons says.
Otago Polytechnic is a subsidiary of NZIST – a nationwide network of polytechnics and institutes of training.
Project details:
- Trade Training Centre will be constructed at Otago Polytechnic’s main Dunedin campus at Forth St
- Total cost: $31.7 million (Government investing $28 million by way of grant and loan through its tagged contingency for infrastructure)
- To date, around $4 million has been committed for planning and professional fees
- Designed as a purpose-built three-storeyed facility to deliver trades training programmes
- Construction likely to begin later this year. Contractor yet to be appointed (upon submission of building consent documentation, tender documentation will be sent to market with an estimated 4-6 week tender period)
Significant rise in enrolments (July 23 2020)

Otago Polytechnic has witnessed a significant rise in student enrolments following the introduction of the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund.
"Otago Polytechnic’s second semester vocational enrolments are up more than 400 compared to the same time last year,” Dr Megan Gibbons, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive, says.
“This equates to us being almost 7% above budgeted numbers for domestic EFTS for 2020 and is largely a result of the TTAF.
“Our Cromwell Campus has experienced significant increased demand for primary sector programmes, including horticulture and apiculture.
“We are also investigating an additional stream of our Pre-Trade Carpentry programme in September, increasing available places by 28. This reflects increased demand for Carpentry courses.
“As a major training provider for engineering and trade – regionally and nationally, Otago Polytechnic is well placed to increase places for more students, as well as be agile in what programmes we deliver to meet the needs in our community,” Dr Gibbons says.
‘‘We have expanded programmes across our Dunedin and Central Otago campuses."
The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) is a $320 million programme that targets support for areas of study and training, giving learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19.
The range of free learning opportunities include construction, engineering (mechanical, civil and electrical), horticulture, viticulture, agriculture, community support and architecture.
Study for free at Otago Polytechnic
Read the Otago Daily Times article
Success Story: Tavish Sehgal (July 23 2020)

Management student Tavish Sehgal is thriving at OPAIC and helping other students to achieve.
He’s grateful for the early challenges he faced during his English language pathway studies and the support he received, because it helped him prepare for his main programme of study.
Tavish studied the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) (Level 5), as a pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management.
He says he struggled early on in his English programme.
“However, with the help and great support from my professor and also from the Peer Tutor at that time, I overcame all the problems and did my best and scored good marks.”
“That was the turning point for me, and it became easier for me to overcome the various challenges during the Applied Management studies.”
Tavish says his teachers support his creativity and help him think in a diversified manner, which will be a helpful skill in the future.
“The best part of this polytechnic is that all the staff members are very cooperative and helpful.”
“They also provide one-to-one support whenever needed and required.”
Tavish has recently taken on a peer tutoring role at OPAIC, helping other Applied Management students with their study.
“I really enjoy my role and feel happy and proud when I teach other students.”
As well as helping them out with their courses, he can learn all about their cultures.
“This helps me to understand other students well so that I can help them in the way they want.”
He tried to help other students even before he became a Peer Tutor.
“I enjoy sharing my own knowledge with those who want to learn new things.”
Head of Department for English, Paul Dixon, says he knows Tavish found NZCEL (Level 5) challenging in the beginning, but he persevered and responded really well to the guidance provided by his tutor.
“After he started his main programme, Tavish came to see me to say he could now see how valuable Level 5 had been in preparing him for postgraduate study in New Zealand,” says Paul.
“It’s particularly gratifying to see Tavish now sharing his experience with other learners in his role as a Peer Tutor."
The Level 5 programme is designed to ensure learners have the language proficiency and academic skills they need for successful postgraduate study in New Zealand, says Paul.
Unlike the international proficiency exams, our NZCEL assessments are based on authentic, real-world academic tasks like notetaking, summarising and evaluating sources, and writing reports.
“All require learners to analyse, evaluate and synthesise source material, and this can be challenging at first. However, we routinely hear from our Level 5 graduates who tell us what valuable preparation this was for their postgraduate studies, and how much more confident they feel as a result.”

The road to OPAIC
Tavish was born and raised in Delhi, India. He’s a qualified engineer with a degree in electronics and communications and certifications in Routing and Switching, Firewalls and Enterprise Security.
He’s worked for Microsoft, India Today Media Group, Singapore Prison, and KPMG India, and received many awards for his work.
Having achieved a lot in his educational and professional life he decided it was time to study management to help his career along.
“I needed to move further and that can only be possible if I have a management degree.”
He says life in New Zealand is very simple and safe. Auckland has vibrant and diverse dining, arts and culture scenes and the weather is perfect.
“For me Auckland was my dream city to study in because it is the most livable city in the world and the education sector in NZ has a great reputation and is ranked among the best in the world.”
He picked OPAIC because of the diversified subjects in the Applied Management field.
Read more about the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 5).
Read more about the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management.
Summer jobs in Central Otago (July 20 2020)

There are good summer jobs available for international students studying in Central Otago.
Central Otago is the location of our boutique Cromwell campus, which offers programmes in areas including horticulture, cookery, snowsports, outdoor adventure and apiculture.
Cromwell is a growing town surrounded by rugged landscapes, lakes, vineyards and orchards.
Many student jobs are available during the December and January export cherry harvest there.
For some, this seasonal job could even develop into a career in the horticulture industry.
The Cherry harvest begins in early December and continues through until late January.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn some new skills, make career connections and earn decent money to help with future studies.
This season is looking to bring one of the largest crops on record. Due to Covid-19 border closures, New Zealand is without its usual pickers – backpackers and those on working holidays.
This means there are more opportunities for onshore students looking for a vacation job, or perhaps a career in the horticulture industry.
There are currently many jobs available in New Zealand’s primary sector. There are roles in IT, business, human resources, technical skills and many more areas.
For more on the summer jobs, do a search of cherry harvest and packhouse jobs in Central Otago and make an enquiry.
Other websites that may be useful are https://worktheseasons.co.nz/hello and https://gohorticulture.co.nz/.
AIC Way out now (July 17 2020)

The July issue of OPAIC staff newsletter, AIC Way, is out now. Check your inbox for your copy or read it online here.
Research team reflects on virtual teaching experience (July 16 2020)

A cross-department team from Otago Polytechnic has reflected on their online teaching experiences for a new research paper.
The lockdown pushed tertiary education providers to quickly shift to virtual teaching. This shift happened very abruptly, with only enough time to do some basic preparation work.
Senior Construction Lecturer Dr Don Samarasinghe, English Lecturer Vera Nistor, and Senior IT Lecturer Dr Hymie Abd-Latif all took slightly different approaches to online teaching.
They’ve reflected on the learning and teaching experiences under these exceptional circumstances for SCOPE Journal's Special Edition: Collective Voices of Covid-19, Otago Polytechnic 2020.
The team found their virtual teaching approaches were situated at different stages on a continuum between synchronous and asynchronous online learning, depending on the subject.
Construction classes practised synchronous online learning with the aid of chat rooms, which enabled a high degree of teacher-learner interaction.
In contrast, the IT classes worked asynchronously, with the lecturer providing resources for students to use independently, without being constrained by any time limitations.
English classes took the middle ground, with each lesson starting with a synchronous component, followed by an asynchronous portion where the students performed class activities independently.
“Our reflection shows that teaching online does not necessarily need to fall into only one category. Lecturers need to find out what works for them and their students, according to the teaching content, their capabilities and availability of resources.”
The team found students enjoyed these teaching methods, took on the challenge very well and became more autonomous learners who are comfortable with virtual learning.
“This entire experience proved that we are capable of adjusting to critical conditions and finding effective ways to promote and encourage learning.”
IT industry partnership reaping benefits (July 3 2020)

OPAIC’s partnership with an Information Technology professional with more than 30 years of experience in the industry is reaping benefits for everyone involved.
Teong Boon Tan, known as Boon to students, began his career as a software developer. He later started his own software company, where his roles included project manager, product manager, tester, salesperson, chief technology officer and chief executive.
He’s sold and installed his software in more than 15 countries in the Asia Pacific including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Boon is of Chinese descent, grew up in Malaysia, and has been in New Zealand for eight years.
He’s set up companies in China, India and Malaysia, and currently runs his own software company, Mochi Digital, in Auckland.
In his spare time, he loves playing competitive badminton. He even won a silver medal in the sport at the World Masters Games in New Zealand back in 2017.
Boon was doing work for a start-up company in 2016, when he was asked to supervise some students from OPAIC.
He’s been supervising our students ever since and he’s overseen the projects of 67 OPAIC students over the past four years.
Those projects have covered software development, automated software testing, business analysis, business intelligence, and website design and development.
“I love to interact with your students to pass my knowledge to them and also to learn from them,” says Boon.
He says the partnership has benefits for both parties. He helps OPAIC deliver industry experience for its students, and he gets useful jobs done for his clients.
Additionally, some of the students have a lot of knowledge and teach him new things and allow him to explore new technologies.
A few students under his supervision have named him as a referee and gained full-time employment in New Zealand.
Read about two students who completed a project under Boon’s supervision here.
Learn more about our Information Technology programmes here.
Art is not snatched, but won by study (June 29 2020)

Tasked with the creation of the Dunedin School of Art’s 150^th anniversary logo, Tiahli Curran-Hogg and Alysha Beattie pay tribute to the school’s long history while introducing an element of light-hearted intrigue.
The two students, who are completing their Bachelor of Design (Honours) specialising in Communications, were given the cover of the school’s first prospectus to seed the creative concept behind the logo. *
“As part of the brief, the art school gave us a really interesting image from 1924 to reference, of this girl and boy under a tree,” Alysha says.

“We keyed in on the girl, she is drawing a rabbit that is sitting on the ground. The idea of the hand drawing the rabbit was playful and could stand alone outside of the whole image,” continues Tiahli.

The process was as much about interpreting the image as it was about striking a balance between the celebration of 150 years of history and the identity of the art school in 2020.
“We took the graphic style and the illustration from tattoo design, using a really simplified line weight, while still incorporating that cross hatching that you see in the original print image. So, we play homage to the history but also show how the art school is a contemporary site,” explains Tiahli.
Another element of the brief was the inclusion of the prospectus’ slogan, ‘art is not snatched, but won by study.’ The catchphrase was incorporated into the labels for sesquicentennial-branded beer bottles, care of the Otago Brew School – the contents of which are destined for public consumption when the community comes together to celebrate the 150-year milestone in person.
Initially they were going to create artwork individually, with one logo being selected for production. They soon decided to collaborate instead.
“Alysha is good at graphic design and typography and I like illustration, so we were able to play off of each other’s strengths,” says Tiahli.
This turned out to be a sound strategy in light of the New Zealand’s level four lockdown, which saw the two working in isolation.
“It’s nice when you know you have limitations to have someone to lean on, and especially with the lockdown period, to have someone to hold you accountable,” says Tiahli.
While design is such a personal thing, the pair agree the project went surprisingly smoothly.
“There haven’t been too many times that we disagreed. We both have different areas we feel strongly about, but we tend to agree which has been really, really nice,” says Tiahli.
The project has been a satisfying departure from classroom projects to a real-world application.
“It was a rewarding challenge working with a vast variety of stakeholders from start to finish in order to get the work completed to a high standard and make sure everyone was happy,” says Alysha.
The project allowed the pair to develop their long-held love of visual creativity in the context of their degree.
“Alysha and I are both really into the branding and creating visual stories, logos and identities,” explains Tiahli.
Tiahli spent her high-school years immersed in creative subjects and considered art school as her natural next step until she realised that she liked the practical side of the Bachelor of Design (Communications) course and the ability to connect with clients.

“I liked how broad the design course was, when you’re trying to decide something to study for three years, it’s nice to know that you still have options within the course. I got to mix things up quite often,” Tiahli says.

Like Tiahli, Alysha was always a creative kid growing up.
“It was later on that I became drawn to graphic design and in particular branding. I wanted to study what I loved and hone my graphic design skills so in the future I can work with clients and make my branding ideas a physical reality,” Alysha says.
As one of their first real-world client projects, seeing their work in action is fufilling.
“It's always a pleasure to see your work being used in the way you imagined it during the design process. It's nice to feel a sense of achievement, and happiness that I could contribute to the exciting Art School celebrations,” says Alysha.
“It’s a nice change from normal projects to be able to create the logo and hand it over, and have another team bring it to life, so it’s been quite satisfying,” adds Tiahli.
Their work on the Dunedin School of Art’s 150^th collateral will make a significant contribution to their portfolios.
“It’s always great to have the sort of portfolio where you’ve interacted with real-world clients, I think it shows a lot of skills as a designer, that you’re able to communicate and work in a team and meet deadlines and expectations,” explains Tiahli.
“Since branding is my area of interest, it's really important to me that my portfolio shows different examples that showcase a range of my skills to encourage further opportunities. This particular project also shows that the Otago Polytech staff trusted us with the design process,” says Alysha.
With Covid putting a different spin on the world, the pair are undecided about their future next year but are leaning towards further study.

“I’m still in the process of figuring out if I would like to continue onto my masters next year. All I know is that the end goal is to have a job I enjoy creating exciting and dynamic branding strategies that I can be proud of, and that other people love,” says Alysha.

For Tiahli, the lockdown period opened another opportunity for her, and she is now considering segueing into a new profession.
“I’m currently tossing up whether I jump into masters or not. I’ve been working as a teaching assistant for the first- and second-year communication design degree students this year – I only had two weeks in the classroom and then leapt to solo online emergency teaching. I’ve been absolutely loving it,” explains Tiahli.
* Scope: Contemporary Research Topics, Art & Design 12, Dunedin School of Art: a History, December 2016, page 54.
Success Story: Juan Carlo Crispino (June 25 2020)

Juan Carlo Crispino came to OPAIC to gain a qualification that would back up his work experience.
JC studied advertising back home in the Philippines and was a graphic designer for more than eight years, primarily in the marketing field. He’s worked for a five-star hotel in the Philippines and designed shirts for a fashion brand.
He decided to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing so he could have a qualification to support that industry experience.
JC plans to continue working in graphic design after he graduates.
“It has been my passion. Being able to relate my passion into what I’m currently studying is pretty much a great thing for me.”
He advises prospective students to pick a programme in line with their skills and passions, as that will make study and job hunting easier for them.
JC says he is enjoying the course here at OPAIC. There is a lot of student support, which is great for students adjusting to a new country.
“It’s really good for someone who came from a foreign country, trying to adjust to the environment and culture here in New Zealand. It’s one of the great things here at Otago Polytechnic. They have lots of student support here.”
All students should be proactive and take advantage of the support on offer, he says.
JC has been doing an industry project with the company TourismHQ, as part of his OPAIC programme.
The work involves graphic design, marketing, and social media. He loves the work, and says the company is supportive and full of good people.
His industry project is about Spring Break Fiji, a five-day event where more than 200 people flock to Beachcomber Island in Fiji to have fun and experience the Fijian culture.
He even had the opportunity to go along to the event - it was his first time visiting Fiji.
JC loves living here in New Zealand and says his favourite things are the culture and the work–life balance.
His father and brother already lived in New Zealand, which is one of the reasons he decided to study here.
“I’m one of the lucky ones. It’s much easier for me in terms of my transition.”
Otago Polytechnic and partners offer seminars for job seekers (June 23 2020)

Otago Polytechnic has joined forces with a wide range of partners to offer two seminars for job seekers this week.
The events, which will be held at Forsyth Barr Stadium as well as online on Wednesday 24 June (12pm and 5.30pm), aim to help those who may have lost their job or are facing an uncertain future.
Key partners include Platinum Recruitment, Ministry of Social Development, Otago Chamber of Commerce and Otago-Southland Employers’ Association. Additional support and advice will be provided by Select Recruitment, Workbridge, University of Otago career development staff and Southern Rehab Ltd.
Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Social Services (careers specialty) students will also be present, offering advice on key job search strategies.
“We will be running a job board with examples of how to identify what employers actually want,” says Wayne Green, Careers Lecturer, Community Development and Personal Wellbeing, Otago Polytechnic.
“Our students can discuss ways that these strategies could be applied. Some support services will be available on the day as well as some information on what people can access.”
Dougal McGowan, Chief Executive Otago Chamber of Commerce, says the events provide a chance for people to get some “real-world advice” about the best processes when applying for jobs.
“Some people may not have developed a CV or may not have gone for a job interview for some time. They might be in an unfamiliar situation. This is an opportunity for them to gain some insights from experts.”
The seminars will cover the following:
- CVs: What are they; how to maximise them; dos and don’ts
- Interview advice; how to best sell yourself
- How to evaluate your experience and skills
- What support services are available
- Q&A session
Top achievers celebrated (June 22 2020)

We would like to congratulate all of our Excellent Scholars and Student Ambassadors who were recognised at today’s awards ceremony.
Excellent Scholars recipients are selected based on their overall performance in their courses in the previous study block.
Our Excellent Scholars for Block 2 are Yu Ma, Suwanna Raichusri, Amit Dicholkar, Merlyn Gonzales Cadion, Rong Wang, Yun Tang, Hetaswi Mukesh Patel, Sau Yan Kwong, Rahul Hiteshkumar Patel, Aleksandr Taran, Juan Carlo Crispino, and Tao Xu.
At today’s ceremony we also thanked our Student Ambassadors who have recently graduated.
They are Arief Setyadi, Togzhan Lambekova, Pulkit Jain, Ericka Dsouza, Leo Daniel Girkar, Nupoor Dhurandhar, and Daria Gorbunova.
Ambassadors commit around 30 to 40 hours per year to organising and participating in events, and attending monthly ambassador meetings.
They welcome new students, help build the OPAIC community, answer student questions and provide support to students and staff. They act as the voice of the student community.
We had 23 students and staff at today’s ceremony, which we held online to ensure all of our award recipients could attend.
Deputy Chief Executive Gagan Sachdeva congratulated students for their efforts.
He said Covid-19 had shown that the world was changing rapidly and needed bright minds to solve problems in new ways.
He said all of today’s award recipients had demonstrated capabilities we need in today’s world.
‘Amazing opportunity’ for management students (September 26 2018)

Two OPAIC students had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the project management industry and to network with professionals recently.
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management students Fabianna Cinelli and Anastasia Timoshkina attended the Project Management Institute of New Zealand (PMINZ) conference at SkyCity in Auckland last week.
Fabianna, who comes from Brazil, says she was introduced to the PMINZ during her project management paper. She came across the conference while researching the institute.
She noticed that students could apply to have their attendance at the conference sponsored by writing a letter about why they thought the event would be useful for their career.
Fabianna, who already has degrees in communications and psychology, says she oversaw projects in her former HR role back in Brazil, so already had some interest in the project management area. She decided to apply for sponsorship and was successful.
She says the conference on Thursday and Friday was “awesome”. She met a lot of nice people and listened to talks about topics such as soft skills for project management, technology, general project management and construction.
Fabianna was particularly impressed by her sponsor, an Australian project management expert who has written two best-selling books.
Students also had the opportunity to attend welcome drinks and a dinner at the conference.
Anastasia, from Russia, heard about the conference through her friend and classmate Fabianna.
Anastasia has a degree in linguistics and worked as a Personal Assistant to a General Director for five years back home.
She says she had a little bit of knowledge about project management before she came to New Zealand and started her project management paper.
Like Fabianna, Anastasia wrote a letter explaining her eagerness to learn about project management and was successful in getting sponsorship.
At the conference Anastasia met her sponsor, the director of Project Box, who explained that project management needs good young professionals more than ever before. That’s why he gave this opportunity to Anastasia as a beginner.
Anastasia says she saw the two-day conference as an “amazing opportunity to meet the right people in the right place”.
Fabianna and Anastasia were two of just seven students selected for sponsorship.
Otago Polytechnic continues to play leading role in Dunedin economy (June 11 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s value to the Dunedin economy has increased by more than $100 million in the past five years.
An economic impact report, commissioned by Otago Polytechnic and released this month, shows the total value of Otago Polytechnic's Dunedin campus to the city's economy had increased from $241.8 million in 2015 to $350.4 million in 2019.
Viewed on a cumulative basis, Otago Polytechnic added more than $844 million to the Dunedin economy from 2015-2019.
The report also assessed the flow-on (or indirect) total economic impact of all Otago Polytechnic’s activities – including its Cromwell Campus and Auckland International Campus – to be $464.3 million in 2019, up from $444.5 million in 2018.
Over half (64%) of that flow-on expenditure across all campuses was driven by student spending. The remainder was derived from day-to-day Polytechnic expenditure and the impact of staff spending their wages and salaries within their local economies.
Overall, Otago Polytechnic’s enrolments in 2019 totalled 5370 equivalent full-time students (EFTS) or 8542 actual students (headcount). This represents a slight drop of total 182 EFTS to 5552 from 2018. Dunedin campus EFTS increased by 2.5% overall (domestic and international), from 3945 (2019) to 4057 (2018)
Otago Polytechnic employed 662 full-time equivalent staff (FTES) in 2019, across its campuses in Dunedin, Cromwell and Auckland (AIC).
Otago Polytechnic is one of Dunedin’s larger employers. In 2019, it employed 539.2 full-time equivalent (FTES) staff at its Dunedin campus, where 80.7% of students and 81.4% of staff are based.
“This recent economic report reflects Otago Polytechnic’s record of innovation and adaptation,” says Dr Megan Gibbons, Chief Executive, Otago Polytechnic.
“The past few months have witnessed societies, institutions and businesses readjusting to the realities brought on by a global pandemic.
“Certainly, there has been much use of the term ‘pivot’, of being nimble in a fluid environment, among organisations big and small.
“Otago Polytechnic has long been known for such nimbleness,” Dr Gibbons says.
“Our willingness and ability to remain open to collaboration, to engage with industry and community as well as lead, will be even more crucial.
“We all need to position ourselves so we are agile enough to both stimulate change, as well as react to changes, to take the opportunities that present themselves, think about our futures and what is important to us.”
A great time to work in the rural industries (June 3 2020)

Covid-19 has certainly changed employment markets and work opportunities.
In New Zealand, what were considered traditional skills areas are making a come back.
Horticulture, agriculture, and viticulture careers have become increasingly popular for those looking to apply their skills and qualifications.
The rural industries look to be secure, particularly those related to food production.
The rural sector has long struggled to attract graduates or career changers. Often the rural industries don’t seem as attractive as others and generally the rural industries are media shy. The result has been a lack of skilled workers entering the industry and considerable vacancies developing over the years.
Fast forward to the Covid-19 crisis, and the stable rural sector with good career pathways is suddenly a great option!
What isn’t well understood by many, is the sheer variety of employment opportunities within the sector.
The industry is often considered low tech, with manual, dusty, dirty and hard work. Well, in some cases there is some honest work to be done, but it is much, much more than that. Each part of the rural sector is different and includes:
Viticulture – the growing of wine grapes
Wine making
Irrigation
Fruit and crop production such as kiwifruit, cherries, apples, blueberries, etc.
Sheep and beef production
Dairy production
Flower production
Vegetable production and more

Within these specific sectors, graduates and career changers are welcome! Specialists are required in HR, IT, robotics, management, irrigation technology, business skills, logistics, retail and marketing. The industry is much, much more than just picking fruit or pruning trees.
During busy periods you may be very hands on, and this is the fun part. You get to be part of a team, often outside and working with people of different cultures and nationalities – it’s dynamic, challenging and hugely rewarding.
For those considering a career change or interested in developing a technical specialty, the Central Campus is offering the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills. This is a short programme (17 weeks) designed as a quick technical hit of skills to enable entry into the fruit or viticulture industry.
It begins in early August and will finish in late November with all those placed in the industry at the end (should they want to be). It is ideally suited for those wanting to get some core skills and an understanding of the industry, but more importantly it will help learners get placements into work.
In early 2021, we will offer the same programme but with a focus on the dairy industry.
This programme is hands on, with a 50% theory and 50% practical component. It has field trips and employment preparation built into the learning during the 17 weeks.
If you have skills or qualifications already, this programme might be the short add-on you need to help enter a dynamic industry, which is looking for employees.
If you are interested contact Alex at alex.huffadine@op.ac.nz at the Central Campus of Otago Polytechnic in Central Otago.
Read more about the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills.
No cost? It’s a no-brainer (June 3 2020)

Otago Polytechnic welcomes the Government’s decision to scrap fees for a wide range of vocational education programmes.
The Government this week gave more details about its Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF), a $320 million programme that will pay costs of learners of all ages to undertake vocational education and training
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Megan Gibbons says the announcement provides more clarity for those considering applying to enrol.
‘‘We are currently examining a wide range of existing programmes as well as developing a broad suite of new programmes that align with the Government’s vision for the tertiary sector.
‘‘These include expanding programmes across our Dunedin and Central Otago campuses."
The range of free learning opportunities - with no eligibility requirements - include construction, engineering (mechanical, civil and electrical), horticulture, viticulture, agriculture, community support and architecture.
‘‘We will also expand on our secondary/tertiary pathway provision and Maori and Pasifika training," Dr Gibbons says.
Key points:
- The Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) will target support for areas of study and training that will give learners better employment prospects as New Zealand recovers from COVID-19
- Apprentices working in all industries will have costs paid
- High demand areas, including in regional New Zealand, targeted
- In many cases apprentices, trainees and learners at tertiary providers will save between $2500 and $6500 per year
- Apprentices and learners whose courses started earlier in the year but continue beyond 1 July 2020 will be eligible for a partial refund
Check out more information on the TTAF here
Read the Otago Daily Times article
Competition: name our composting station (June 6 2020)

Help us make a better world by contributing to a hot new project – OP’s new community composting station!
Located between S Block and Te Pā Tauira Student Village, the composting station has been thoroughly researched and expertly built.
The composting area will be developed to become an inviting educational space – and now it just needs a name.
That’s where you come in!

Submit your name ideas
Email your name ideas to internal communications by 12noon Friday 12 June and you could win a $40 Eden Café voucher – and a personal composting consultation for your home, school or workspace.

The name could reference the history of OP or the land, it could speak to the sustainability goals of the project – or it could be something totally off-the-wall or tongue-in-cheek.

Our Kaitohutohu Office team members will cast their eyes over any Te Reo Māori suggestions to ensure that they are tika. (If you submit a name suggestion in Te Reo Māori, please include a brief note explaining the context of your name suggestion.)
A shortlist of names will be made available for student and staff vote. The final name will be announced on Monday 22 June.
Our Communication Design students will incorporate the winning name into the branding of the composting station.

About the composting station
OP graduate Finn Boyle’s journey towards a collaborative sustainability project at Otago Polytechnic has been as organic as his vision.
Prompted by the question “what am I eating?”, Finn investigated the social and ecological impacts of our food systems before landing on compost and food waste recovery as the focus of his Bachelor of Leadership for Change study. Now, he is now working to reduce Otago Polytechnic’s organic waste – with an eye to expanding the service across North Dunedin.
Although he germinated the idea, Finn says he would like everyone in the OP community to feel as though they have a stake in the new composting facility.

“This is a real community project, with students and staff from all over OP contributing to bringing it to life – so I’m looking forward to seeing the name ideas submitted by the OP community. And I’m looking forward to providing the personalised composting consult to the winner!”

Finn adds that the project follows on from the composting systems that have been nurtured by our Living Campus team for the last decade.
“This new phase is about scaling up and increasing the impact of these regenerative practices in our community – and of course growing more kai in the campus gardens!”

Photos: Te Pā Tauira Village Manager, Andy Thompson, at the composting station that will be named and branded by OP students and staff.
AIC Way out now (June 3 2020)

The latest issue of OPAIC staff newsletter, AIC Way, is out now. Check your email for your copy or read it online here.
Introducing our new Student Representative (June 2 2020)

Our new Student Representative is Bachelor of Applied Management student Hardik from Chandigarh, India.
Hardik has already been an active Student Ambassador at OPAIC, participating in many events and interacting with students from a range of different cultures. He especially likes listening to their problems and helping them out.
He’s a quick learner and a good leader with strong communication skills.
Hardik says he loves problem solving and taking on new challenges. He doesn’t panic in tough situations and is a practical decision maker. He says these attributes will make him a good student representative.
He looks forward to interacting with students and helping them with their difficulties as well as organising events and being an effective employee of OPAIC.
Hardik says the Student Representative position provides a great opportunity for him to work at his place of study and get to know about the company’s culture and work ethics.
Developing IT skills through real-world project (May 29 2020)

Two of our Graduate Diploma in Information Technology students have recently built a business intelligence dashboard for a retail company as part of their studies.
Ravikumar Kalaria and Bhavik Bipinkumar Patel worked on their mini project with a client from digital marketing company Mochi Digital.
Ravi says the pair created a dashboard of retails sales data, turning large volumes of data into more accessible formats in a confidential way.
They used Microsoft Power BI - a collection of software services that turn data into understandable and visually appealing insights.
Ravi said the pair didn’t have any experience with the software when they began the project.
“But we were willing to learn this new and quite popular technology.”
They taught themselves using online learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and edX.
They sought all the knowledge they needed to meet client requirements and contribute their own ideas for new features and functions.
The project took more than five months and the pair overcame many challenges to develop six reports for the company.
“During this process, we faced some problems such as duplicate data, the relationship between tables, and many more. But we continuously learned about how to solve the issues and fix them step by step,” says Ravi.
He says they had excellent support from OPAIC’s Head of IT, Dr Farhad Mehdipour throughout the project and came away with a very positive reference letter from the client.

Ravikumar Kalaria

Bhavik Bipinkumar Patel
Graduate shares wisdom with construction students (May 28 2020)

An OPAIC construction graduate who has gone on to a successful career in the industry has shared his wisdom with current students.
Bruce Kang graduated from OPAIC in 2018 and joined building supplies company Dayle ITM as an Estimator two months later.
Construction lecturer Lip-Wah Ho, who taught Bruce in 2017, invited him back to share his experience and learning philosophy with current Estimating and Measurement students.
During the session, they exchanged views and discussed how to ensure OPAIC develops New Zealand’s most employable graduates.
Lip says he’s proud of Bruce, who always took an in-depth experiential learning approach as a student.
“He continuously seeks challenges and practices critical reflection. He is passionate about the construction industry, and he is enjoying his work as an Estimator.”
He says Bruce learned how to interpret drawings and specifications during his time at OPAIC.
“The fundamental skills provided him with a solid foundation to face the challenges in the real world.”
Our current students reflected positively on Bruce’s lessons and say they’re now motivated to learn more to prepare for their futures in the construction industry.
Proud to be an essential worker (May 25 2020)

OPAIC student Bhavdeep Singh is proud to be an essential worker helping to serve the community during Covid-19.
He’s one of many students and graduates helping New Zealand get through the global crisis.
Bhavdeep comes from New Delhi in India and has been in New Zealand for almost a year.
As well as studying towards the Gradate Diploma in Applied Management, he works at Countdown.
Bhavdeep dedicates his afternoons to his study, works the night shift, and attends online classes when scheduled. He even pulls over to attend 8am classes on his way home from his shift.
OPAIC moved all classes and support services online when the country entered lockdown. We’re continuing to deliver our offerings online for the time being.
Bhavdeep says online learning has been a good experience, which has enabled him to juggle his study and work commitments.
He was a bit worried about going to work when Covid-19 was first detected in New Zealand, but he has taken every precaution to keep safe.
He says he feels proud of his essential work and takes his duties very seriously.
Alumni share wisdom in online session (May 21 2020)
Our students were fortunate to hear stories and tips from successful graduates during an online Alumni Panel Discussion last week.

Our Employability and Industry Relations Team organised the session which featured alumni from a diverse range of industries.

Fabianna Cinelli, Joan Sanchez, Avinash Kumar and Warrick Wong shared stories about their time at OPAIC and what they’ve been up to since.

They also imparted the following advice to current students:
- Use LinkedIn. It’s a powerful tool for making connections, staying informed, and standing out.
- Become a member of associations related to the industry you are interested in, for example the Marketing Association or the Project Management Institute.
- Participate in extracurricular activities on campus and off such as workshops, seminars, and networking events.
- Plan your budget carefully during your studies.
- Research companies and industries and prepare yourself for an interview.
- Networking is very important. Be open to meeting new people.
- Volunteer to get experience, practise your English, meet people, and have fun during your time as an international student.
- Do your best at your part-time job or internship because colleagues and managers will recognise you for your efforts. They might give you a good reference or even hire you full-time.
Any students who missed last week’s event can find the video in the Employability Sessions AIC section of Microsoft Teams.
Success Story: Sikandar Hirani (May 15 2020)

Sikandar Hirani enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) to gain technical knowledge and grow professionally.
He works for Auckland Council as a Regulatory Support Officer, processing building consents for the southern region.
“I always wanted to specialise in a given field. After joining Council, I realised my passion and strength lies in residential and commercial building,” he says.
Sikandar is one of a group of domestic students studying construction alongside internationals at Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus in partnership with Future Skills Academy.
He says he enrolled in the programme to gain technical knowledge of construction process and management, and to gain a recognised qualification.
“The combination of theoretical study from class and applying those concepts and principles in my current role is assisting me in developing an understanding of the wider consenting functions.”
Sikandar says construction qualifications are in huge demand throughout New Zealand and across the world with an average salary high compared to other industries.
He’s enjoying the programme, which he’s currently studying online due to COVID-19 restrictions. That’s working well as he likes being digitally connected with classmates through online learning activities.
Sikandar recommends the programme to both domestic and international students.
He says lecturers are experienced and both academic and support staff take a genuine interest in student wellbeing and implement feedback from students.
“Anyone who is already in the construction industry or has a passion and desire to learn about the practices should enrol,” he says.
It’s also suitable for those with an engineering background and high school graduates with building mindsets.
A long history with OPAIC
Sikandar has a long history with OPAIC, beginning in 2013 when he studied the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management here as an international student.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in Singapore he wanted to come to New Zealand, which he’d pictured as a “mini heaven on earth”.
“When I thought of New Zealand, the first few things that came to my mind were mountains, lakes, rivers, forests,” he says.
“After coming here, I was very delighted to see how the locals accepted people from around the world, showed respect with inclusive work culture and ethics.”
He picked Otago Polytechnic because his research showed it was one of the oldest education providers in New Zealand and had transformed over the years.
“The institution demonstrated its agility, adapted to the changing society and incorporated best practices,” he says.
“Most lecturers recruited to teach here have PhDs and research backgrounds that gave me confidence in the teaching faculty, in addition the student success and satisfaction rate were high.”
Its Category 1 rating gave him confidence that his qualifications would be recognised nationally and internationally.
He says OPAIC has international students from all over the world and a unique campus life. It celebrates cultural festivals, holds sports tournaments, and offers day trips.
Sikandar was the first student to receive a Top Achievers Award here for outstanding performance in both academic and campus involvement.
After his graduate diploma he worked at OPAIC in various roles until 2018. He also went on to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Management here.
Since then he has worked as an Enrolment and Information Advisor at Wintec and as a Support Officer at Immigration New Zealand.
To keep a bridge between education and practicum, he is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Auckland University of Technology on top of his construction qualification.
Keeping up with study despite distance (May 13 2020)

Ramandeep Kaur is staying up until the early hours of the morning to attend online classes from her home in India.
Ramandeep was unable to return to New Zealand to resume her study after the country’s borders closed.
She is currently in the Punjab region of India and has been in and out of lockdown.
Ramandeep is studying towards a Bachelor of Information Technology at OPAIC.
She says online study is going very well and her lecturers are pleased with her performance.
“The very good thing about this online study is the recording of the lectures.”
The professor shares the recording with students at the end of the lecture. It’s helpful for students to watch these recordings again in case they didn’t understand something.
The only difficulty she’s faced is the time difference between New Zealand and India. It means she sometimes has to attend classes as early as 2.30am. Yet she’s managed to attend all of her online classes to date.
“Otherwise everything is going well for me with the online classes. Professors are very helpful and whenever I need help, I just drop a message and they get back to me.”
Otago Polytechnic Chaplain reaches out to support students and staff (May 11 2020)

Otago Polytechnic Chaplain Steve Downey has seen plenty of elevated anxiety over the past several weeks of lockdown – “and that’s understandable”. But he has also noted plenty of positive signs.
“Although I would not for a second diminish the very difficult circumstances in which many people find themselves, I have actually seen anxiety levels decrease for some people and their spirits lift in recent weeks. Perhaps this is because they have been able to focus more on what really matters in life – relationships.
“During this time, people are connecting with loved ones more, and they are reaching out to help others.”
Steve has been doing exactly that over the past several weeks of lockdown – extending a helping hand (not literally, of course, given distancing rules) to a range of Otago Polytechnic students and staff.
Every Friday he acts as both gopher and friendly face, delivering food parcels, equipment and resources required for study or work; in fact, anything that might help someone.
Steve says he “loves” Fridays, as they are the culmination of a whole lot of work from other staff that has been done throughout the week.
“From Monday to Thursday there are a whole range of people and teams who are connecting with others.
“As well as various academic staff, the list includes our Māori support team Te Punaka Ōwheo, Student Success, and the Otago Polytechnic Student Association . . . they all provide great academic and pastoral care and help identify the needs of our community.
“Then, on a Thursday night, I’ll get sent a list of who needs what, so I can provide the tip-of-the-iceberg part of the process on Friday.
“I average about 10 home visits per Friday. The range of people I see is very broad, from international students to locals; from young to mature students; people living alone to others juggling study with large families – it’s a wide spectrum of people, cultures and needs.
“I adhere to all the health and safety protocols, always keeping a distance of around 5 metres and using hand sanitiser.”
In fact, Steve has been using so much sanitiser between visits that the skin on his hands has cracked.
“But being able to make all those pastoral connections – albeit from 5 metres away – has been amazing.
“Catering to physical needs is important, for sure. But that emotional aspect, letting people know that they matter and others care about them, can’t be underestimated.
In addition to the emotional and physical needs, Steve also believes that being spiritually grounded during this time is essential.
“Having a faith and trust in God gives me hope and strength in times of challenge and uncertainty. While my spirituality is obviously different to many others, having a strong sense of your identity and values and being able to find meaning and purpose within distressing moments really helps.
“I hope a by-product of this disruption and reconnection is that we reprioritise relationships going forward. The kindness we’ve seen is wonderful, but seeing it continue on the other side of this would be even more wonderful.”
Brayden Murray, Otago Polytechnic Director of Learner Services, says he is proud of the efforts of his team in this difficult time.
“Steve has been doing great work. He is one of many Otago Polytechnic staff who have been working hard across many areas, reaching out to support learners and fellow colleagues.”
Connecting the dots, connecting people (May 12 2020)

There’s a perception that the world of I.T. is all about numbers. In fact, it’s often about people helping people.
That said, let’s examine some numbers first – if only to illustrate the latter point.
Otago Polytechnic’s nine-strong Service Desk team, the people who typically field the “help – my computer won’t work” messages, registered more than 400 requests for April.
“That’s a big month for us,” says Colin Armstrong, Customer Support Manager.
“Our team feedback was near-perfect for April – 98.59%. There were 140 positive feedbacks comprising a score of 9 or 10, on a scale that ranks 10 as best; also, there were two ‘passive’ 8s recorded.
“It’s the highest number of April feedbacks we have received since we started keeping records in 2014.”
Colin says his team has been doing an “amazing” job.
“We have had Don Watts and Tim Hill-Scully on site at the Forth St campus, but they are the icing on the cake. The whole team has been doing great work to ensure our students are able to access the tools and technology to keep learning, or to keep staff members being productive.”
Don says the resilience of learners and staff to adapt to online learning has been “amazing”.
The broad range of positive staff and student feedback is testament to the Service Desk team’s efforts.
Here are just a few examples:
“The response time was 45 minutes from my request for help to a full solution . . .”
“Don . . . went above and beyond, helping me for about an hour in a remote session . . .”
“So thankful to Colin. He made something that I had been struggling with so easy and straightforward. Without his help I wouldn’t of got my portfolio in before the deadline . . .”
“Thank you so very much Tim, you have just made working from home hugely easier . . .”
“I could not have asked for better service! I logged a job and 1 minute later David contacted me, got my Teams issue sorted and got me back into the Teams meetings. Fantastic!!!”
“As usual, quick response and resolved the issue within a short space of time. Nice to hear a friendly familiar voice while on lockdown. Gave good clear instructions that I found east to follow. Thanks heaps.”
“You guys run this department in a commendable fashion. Friendly, timely, Knowledgeable and very, very effective.”
Otago Polytechnic proposes multi-million-dollar “shovel-ready” projects (May 7 2020)

Otago Polytechnic has acted on the Government’s call to develop “shovel-ready” projects, proposing two multi-million-dollar developments aimed at stimulating and supporting economic activity in our city and region.
A proposed Engineering, Building and Construction Trades Training Centre at Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin campus is estimated at $31.7 million.
If approved, the project could begin within a matter of weeks and would likely employ around 200 tradespeople and construction management and consultants until its completion in mid-2022.
Another large-scale project, an Automotive and Related Trades Training Centre in Kaikorai Valley, is estimated at more than $7 million.
“Just as Otago Polytechnic has much to contribute to vocational education in New Zealand, we also acknowledge we have a part to play in an economic recovery,” Phil Ker, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive, says.
“The Trades Training Centre project is significant to both the local and national construction industry as major contractors seek to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID lockdown.”
To date around $4 million has been committed for planning and professional fees for the three-storeyed Trades Training Centre, which would be sited at the heart of Otago Polytechnic’s Forth St Campus,
The project would be resourced largely by local tradespersons and companies; construction materials would be sourced by one of the national construction material suppliers; and specialist equipment for the internal fit-out would be sourced both locally and nationally.
“The indirect benefits of this project are also significant – i.e. the supply of qualified tradespeople for the construction industry,” Ker says.
“Future projects in Otago and Dunedin include the new Hospital as well as major construction and infrastructure projects planned by the Dunedin City Council and University of Otago for the next 10 years.
“All these will require a significant increase in qualified tradespeople, including those already in short supply. This includes trades not currently being taught.
“Otago Polytechnic is already a major training provider for engineering and trades – regionally and nationally,” Ker says.
“We have worked closely and collaboratively with many businesses and partners over many years, developing strong relationships.
“We continue to listen to and collaborate with industry in the region.”
A recent example is Otago Polytechnic’s Heavy Automotive Engineering facility, which opened late last year in Kaikorai Valley and specifically caters to new automotive programmes aimed at meeting the demands of industry.
“We are now looking to build on that initiative with an Automotive and Related Trades Training Centre, estimated at more than $7 million, on the Kaikorai Valley site,” Ker says.
Construction activity could begin within weeks, subject to consent and approval, and the project would likely employ around 40 tradespeople and construction management and consultants for up to a year.
Comprising one level plus mezzanine, the 3600sq m facility is a joint project with Ohara Holdings Ltd, which owns the land and would invest around $3 million to construct the building “shell”, then lease the facility to Otago Polytechnic, which would contribute around $3.5 million to complete the fit-out.
The purpose-built facility would deliver Automotive, Engineering and related trade qualifications and sit alongside Otago Polytechnic’s Heavy Automotive Engineering programmes.
“It would provide additional capacity for Otago Polytechnic to deliver Modern Apprenticeship Programmes (MAPS), supporting on-job training with industry, supported by theory classes and block courses delivered from the new facility,” Ker says, adding the same would apply to the Trades Training Centre.
“This is an expanded activity for which Otago Polytechnic would take responsibility from 2021-22 onwards, as we assume the role of Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) as per the Government’s ITO sector reforms and the formation of the new NZIST.”
An economic impact report released last year showed the direct value of Otago Polytechnic's Dunedin campus to the city's economy had risen by more than $40 million over five years, increasing from $136.5 million in 2014 to $179.4 million by 2018.
“We believe that Otago Polytechnic’s success can, in considerable part, be attributed to our innovation,” Ker says.
AIC Way out now (May 6 2020)

The latest issue of OPAIC staff newsletter, AIC Way, is out now. Check your inbox for your copy or read it online here.
COVID-19 and the student voice (May 6 2020)

Students are by and large happy with the way OPAIC has reacted to COVID-19 and are adjusting well to the new ways of learning.
When COVID-19 restrictions came into effect we worked quickly to move our teaching and support services online. We recently asked students to complete a survey about what’s worked well and how we can improve.
Of 160 respondents, 79 percent said they felt well supported by lecturers and student services at this time. The same percentage said they had the information they needed about their study programme, courses and assessments. Additionally, 84 percent said they knew how to get help, or answers to their questions.
Students commented that online classes had been a good experience and said they’re happy to continue learning online until it’s safe to return to campus.
Others said they’ve adjusted to the new systems after some early challenges. Some missed the campus and classroom atmosphere and others had experienced technical difficulties.
The student voice is important to us at OPAIC, and we take steps to make improvements based on what our students tell us. We are working hard to address the feedback raised by students in the survey.
We will complete Study Block 2 online regardless of changes to the COVID alert levels in New Zealand. We are still deciding what delivery will look like in Study Block 3 and beyond and will take Government advice and student feedback into account as we make our decisions.
Our survey showed 44 percent of students were keen to continue learning solely online in the coming weeks, 30 percent would like a combination of online and on campus learning, and 26 percent wanted all learning to take place on campus.
Otago Polytechnic and Otago Cricket join forces to develop International Centre of Cricket Excellence (May 5 2020)

Otago Polytechnic has partnered with the Otago Cricket Association in an innovative and exciting project, a proposed $1.1 million world-class cricket and education facility – the Otago International Centre of Cricket Excellence, in Dunedin.
The aim of the project is to provide a facility which will entice promising school leavers and domestic cricket players from New Zealand and overseas to live in Dunedin, play and develop their cricket through a professional cricket academy while studying towards an academic and vocational qualification through Otago Polytechnic.
Otago Polytechnic Director: External Relations Mike Waddell says the tertiary institution is excited to be involved in the project, which offers benefits to the city and Otago and Southland regions.
“This vision not only benefits Otago Polytechnic and Otago Cricket, but also greater Dunedin, its culture, vibrancy and economy and the wider region through the attraction of young New Zealand and international students who are seeking quality education and cricket opportunities,” Waddell says.
The partnership’s priority is to establish the facility, a giant greenhouse housing 12 to 14 grass wickets on land at Logan Park.
Otago Cricket has made a submission to this year’s Dunedin City Council (DCC) annual plan for land currently being used for tennis courts at Logan Park to be made available to develop the new facility. Tennis Otago is gifting the land back to the DCC as it creates a new tennis development.
The project is a result of a long-running partnership between Otago Cricket and Otago Polytechnic and the tertiary education provider’s associated scholarship programme that helps students graduate with education qualifications that support their future career aspirations.
The scholarship partnership provides five full fees academic scholarships, allowing Otago Cricket to retain and attract talented players to our area from within our region but also from throughout the country.
The scholarship holders benefit from the comprehensive support and guidance of Otago Polytechnic staff, including academic expertise, careers advice, study assistance, pastoral and accommodation support.
They also have access to Otago Cricket Performance coaching staff, as well as support staff (including Strength and Conditioning, Physiotherapy and Mental Skills support) and Otago Cricket training facilities throughout the period of their scholarships.
Both organisations are excited about the prospect of building a unique year-round opportunity for aspiring cricketers from within New Zealand and overseas to receive a tertiary opportunity embedded within a high-quality cricket performance environment,”
“New Zealand Cricket’s winter training programme at Lincoln has been a resounding success and offers year-round training for aspiring cricketers. Adding a similar facility in Dunedin aligned to quality tertiary opportunities will provide Dunedin and Otago with a unique point of difference, one that adds to the social and economic fabric of our region,” Coggan explains.
“To remain relevant and to ensure cricket maintains meaning, continues to capture the interest of people from Otago and Southland and sustains competitive flagship men’s and women’s domestic sides, we need to do things that are different and innovative,” Coggan says.
“We expect many of these students will then stay and build depth and strength to Otago Cricket – adding genuine quality to the Dunedin cricket club ecosystem and our performance programmes -and graduate with education qualifications that support their future career aspirations.”
Thai students safe in lockdown (May 5 2020)

Eight international students from Thailand have been caught up in the COVID-19 lockdown and are staying at the Central Campus until flights become available.
The students have been relocated into the Central Campus student accommodation and have moved into the most recently completed houses, along with many other international students.
This group had just completed their programme and were ready to begin a short work placement in the wine industry. Unfortunately for them, those jobs have not eventuated as a result of the COVID-19 situation.
To help the students through this period of lockdown we have started online and video conferenced English classes. Classes are taught by English Lecturer Gary O’Neil and aim to build more English capacity in the group whilst in lockdown. Gary will provide video conferencing, tutorial sessions and assessment work for the students.
Staff are able to keep in touch with the students using a range of tools including WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Moodle and Skype. These simple tools ensure that the students are connected to staff throughout the lockdown period.
(Photo: The group before lockdown).
Observing Ramadan during COVID-19 (May 5 2020)

Otago Polytechnic’s Muslim whanau are observing Ramadan differently this year.
Ramadhan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community for Muslims around the world. It started on Saturday 25 April here in New Zealand.
Otago Polytechnic lecturer Hymie Abd-Latif has been observing Ramadan every year since the age of seven, but says this year is unlike anything he’s ever experienced, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I often look forward to this month of reflection, fostering stronger connection to God and man, learning and reading Quran (the holy book) prayers,” he says.
Nights are typically filled with families and communities getting together to celebrate iftar (the breaking of the fast) and tarawikh (prayer). However, this year these events could only take place in small bubbles.
Muslims haven’t let this stop them from connecting. Hymie created an online group for friends and the community to get together via Zoom.
“We have a weekly Bros-Catchup group that meets online every Sunday afternoon to recite Quran together and sometimes throw in some banter after.”
There is another nightly Zoom meeting for families where they recite the Quran, have discussions on its lessons, and hear guest lectures from New Zealand and abroad.
“Both of these have received very good turn out with about 20 families participating,” says Hymie.
His friends and neighbours are sharing food through non-contact drop off and pickup.
Monetary donations for the poor and needy, another aspect of Ramadan, are being made online.
“The month of Ramadan has always to me, been a test of my physical and spiritual endurance and resilience, this year the test goes up a notch (or a few notches),” says Hymie.
He notes that Kiwi Muslims have been tested in recent times – having been affected by earthquakes, the Pike River Mine disaster, the Al Noor mosque shooting and now the Covid-19 pandemic, but they emerge triumphant.
“Because we work together as a community and a nation, we unite regardless of our colour, language or ethnicity. We roll up our sleeves and tread carefully through the calamities,” he says.
“The mosques may be empty, but our hearts are filled with Aroha and we are spiritually connected.”
His advice to fellow Muslims is to take the opportunity to make this Ramadan special by strengthening family and community ties while continuing fasting and prayers.
“Find solace and space for self-introspection. Ramadan Kareem.”
Graduate Farjana Rahman
OPAIC graduate Farjana Rahman feels privileged this Ramadan, because she is spending it with her father, brother, and nieces and nephews in Bangladesh.
“I’d never experienced Ramadan like this in last 19 years. Because I was away from my home for study and work in another city.”
Farjana travelled home to visit family and became stuck there when the borders closed. She hopes to return to New Zealand when the borders re-open.
Farjana says Ramadan was particularly hectic the last two years because she was juggling study and work in New Zealand.
“But this time being in lockdown with my family, I started maintaining kinship as it is obligatory for Muslims to build healthy relationships with the family.”
Usually she would invite friends and family over for Iftar during Ramadan. Muslims also usually distribute food in their neighbourhood and feed the poor during this time.
“Sadly, we are not able to do that now,” says Farjana.
Some of her neighbours and relatives are in dire need of food and supplies, having lost their jobs or had their salaries reduced. Their fellow Muslims are still finding ways of offering charity from a distance.
Farjana says Muslims see calamity as a test and work to do good deeds, unite and look after others in this difficult situation.
“I personally try to see the positive even in the worst cases. So, I feel this situation brought out my empathy, self-reflection and patience in a different way.”
Hard at work from her bubble (May 5 2020)

Rashmiben Patel has been keeping busy in her bubble – attending online classes and helping a flower company connect with customers.
Rashmi studies the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology at OPAIC. Originally from India, she is currently in Auckland and studying online due to New Zealand’s COVID-19 restrictions.
She says her online study is going well. She has found it easy to communicate with lecturers and other students online.
“Students feel free to ask and respond to any questions related to their course.”
In some ways it’s better than face-to-face learning as some students who are usually quiet during classes are more comfortable communicating online, she says.
“It offers a better way to learn to use technology and connect around the world and students can improve their confidence.”
Rashmi says online learning also comes with challenges. More time is spent troubleshooting than would be in the classroom.
However, studying online has helped her stay connected during lockdown.
As well as attending classes, Rashmi has been working on a website for a company called National Flower Traders as part of her course.
She’s using the coding languages HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP to make the website attractive and interactive.
She’s also creating a database which stores products and customer order information, which in turn helps the company improve their business.
“As a result, the company gets a good record for their customers and users and connects with them.”
Support a two-way street (May 1 2020)

Jema Shaw recognises that Covid-19 has prompted more than a few lifestyle changes since she graduated with a Bachelor of Culinary Arts from Otago Polytechnic on 13 March – yet some priorities remain clear.
Connecting with whānau and friends has always been a focus for Jema, who says reaching out for support – and supporting others – has helped her navigate the challenges of lockdown.
“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi. Engari, he toa takitini (my strength is not mine alone, but the due to the strength of others),” Jema says, reciting a Māori proverb.
“No one can survive or succeed in this world on their own. We need support.”
Jema, who became pregnant at the end of her first year of study, says support from her family, friends and Otago Polytechnic lecturers helped significantly as she balanced family life with study.
“It was pretty rewarding to graduate, but it was hard saying goodbye to the Bachelor of Culinary Arts team – the lecturers and groovy classmates. You become so confident in who you are.”
In recent weeks, Jema has been helping others navigate difficult times, continuing a food and wellbeing-focused social media project, as well as contributing to a Te Punaka Ōwheo series of videos aimed at fostering support and connection.
“With food insecurity being a big topic that I focus on, it's been a great opportunity to get some good thinking written down and shared out there. There's a lot of key learnings that people need.
“I have always been passionate about food-related issues. Then at the start of my final-year, self-directed learning project, I read an article about a single woman who lived on her own and had a weekly food budget of just $25 dollars.
“So I approached my lecturers and asked if I could change my project. My goal was to design a meal plan for $25 a week, see how many meals I could make and donate them all into the community. I then documented it on my blog.
“People really took to it. I shared that post on to a few other food-related Facebook groups. The post managed to reach 42,000 people. I was shocked. After that I just continued writing about nutritious food.
Jema says the blogs on her Facebook page Feed me too aim to stimulate others to be resourceful.
“There are no real rules, although the blogs have to be budget-friendly, easy for parents to achieve and easy to read and understand. It’s about giving the readers something to take from each post, something that they can generate their own ideas on.”
Read more about our Hospitality programmes
Finnish student thankful for Otago Polytechnic’s help in time of need (April 29 2020)

Finnish exchange student Milana Virtanen is back home in Helsinki, safe and well, thanks to the help of Otago Polytechnic staff who, like Milana, have gone the extra mile.
Taking the concept of distance learning to the extreme, Milana is completing a Bachelor of Applied Management through Otago Polytechnic – but she’s now doing so from a desk on the 60th parallel north, where the angle of the Sun’s rays means day-light currently comprises almost 18 hours.
“I am very grateful to Otago Polytechnic's teachers for making remote studying possible.
“Although some of us international students have returned home and are participating from different sides of the world, this means we can finish our exchange semesters.”
A student at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, Milana had arrived in Dunedin at the beginning of February to do a six-month exchange, arranged through Otago Polytechnic’s Study Abroad programme.
However, a few months later, she found herself among the thousands of New Zealand-based international students who have been repatriated in recent weeks because of Covid-19.
“The Finnish Embassy offered me a chance to take part in a repatriation flight organized by the German Government, leaving from Auckland and heading to Frankfurt on April 11,” Milana explains.
“However, the date of the departure from Auckland to Frankfurt was brought forward a day – at the last minute. There were no other flights available (from Dunedin to Auckland and I almost gave up on the hope of getting home safely.”
Milana then recalled an offer made to her by Otago Polytechnic’s Global Engagement International Market Manager Kerrie Hodgson.
“Kerrie had urged me to contact her whenever I needed. So I did – and she immediately sprang into action.
“Within a few hours of me calling her, she had organized a ride from Dunedin to Christchurch, accommodation from there and gave me a good advice about how to change my flight with Air New Zealand.
“And on top of it all, Kerrie wanted me to keep in touch with me and update her how my journey progressed. I truly appreciate this effort and kindness during these most difficult times. The help and support from Otago Polytechnic have been priceless,” Milana says.
“The teachers and personnel at Otago Polytechnic truly care about us students and they are the kindest and most helpful people, which has been a huge relief during these times.”
Megan Gibbons, Otago Polytechnic Deputy Chief Executive: People and Performance, says Milana’s comments reflect one of Otago Polytechnic’s core values – caring.
“This example typifies the lengths to which we are going to support learners in these unprecedented times.”
Milana, who is about to be reunited with her family having spent the requisite two weeks in isolation on her return to Finland, says she was sad to leave Dunedin.
“It is a unique town, with gorgeous nature and the most friendly people I have ever met.
“However, during these difficult times, everything was so uncertain. Not knowing when I would be able to travel home safely next time, I realized it was best to leave in order to get home safely.
“I had many unforgettable experiences in Dunedin with new people that I met along the way and, hopefully, I will be able to return there in the future.”
Success Story: Jiahui (Joelle) Li (April 29 2020)

Graduate Joelle Li is enjoying life in sunny Nelson where she works as Marketing Representative for a New Zealand sea salt company.
Joelle studied the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management at OPAIC then went on to complete her Master of Applied Management here.
She previously studied game development in China then worked at an internet company but decided IT wasn’t her thing.
She was more interested in business and marketing, so decided to come to New Zealand and study in that field.
“The reason why I decided to come to New Zealand to study was the outstanding educational quality and the natural environment,” she says.
“This country’s amazing, actually, the people are really great, friendly and you can still eat Chinese food here.”
Joelle heard about Otago Polytechnic from her agent and did some research online before making the decision to come.
One of the best parts about studying here was learning about what was going on in leading industries and having people from those industries come to the campus and share their ideas, she says.
“What I found most beneficial about the programme was having a combination of the academic and also the real experience.”
She also loved the campus community and building relationships with new people. She took part in study groups with other students from China and all over the world.
Now Joelle works at South Pacific Salt, a sea salt company in Nelson at the top of the South Island, as the Marketing Representative.
It’s her first job in the marketing industry and she’s settled in fast. She’s glad she studied hard has been able to refer back to her class notes when making decisions on branding, marketing, promotion, and packaging.
“I feel like, what I learned from school, I can apply that in reality as well.”
Joelle’s also been able to approach her former lecturers at OPAIC for ideas and advice.
Read more about the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management.
Read more about the Master of Applied Management.
Success Story: Rachit Kushwaha (April 24 2020)

Graduate Rachit Kushwaha has been making his mark in New Zealand through his initiatives to help new migrants.
Rachit came to New Zealand from New Delhi to study at Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus.
He chose OPAIC because of its hands-on approach to learning and its work-ready focus.
“After looking at OPAIC's Industry Project option in the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management I was certain OPAIC was going to be my choice,” he says.
“The Industry Project quickly enabled me to gain practical experience in my industry and built my confidence to speak articulately.”
Rachit has gone on to achieve big things since graduating. He started his career as a Social Media Assistant at a non-governmental organisation. Three years later he’s a Lead Editor for a real estate company in Auckland.
He’s very proud to have started New Zealand's first online show based on immigrants - Behind the Dreams- where he interviews successful immigrants all over the country and shares their stories and experiences.
“We explore the mindsets, skills, insights and strategies that it took for these individuals to achieve their current levels of living and career standards.”
Since launching the platform five months ago, the show has gained a lot of attention from the immigrant communities in New Zealand and Australia.
“People are raving about the show and have recommended migrants take advantage of its original content to help them achieve success in their careers.”
His Facebook page has more than 6,000 followers, he’s recently hit the 10,000 mark on his Instagram account, and NZ's largest Indian news publication – the Indian weekender - featured him in an article.
And if that wasn’t enough, Rachit’s founded a digital marketing agency and a video production company to help local businesses, bought his dream car (a Mercedes), met Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, and written an eBook, which has been downloaded by nearly 5,000 people.
On top of that he’s an organiser of New Zealand's biggest Indian Meetup - Indian Auckland Meetup -where hundreds of Indians around Auckland meet every month to network, make new friends and celebrate their culture.
“Recently, we organised our seventh Meetup where we had 95 attendees. Also, our Facebook Group has 3,100 members.”
Rachit loves life in New Zealand and says Kiwis are the friendliest people in the world.
“The amazing cities and countryside, the beauty of its pastures, the quality of its food and health facilities attracted me towards New Zealand.”
“No matter where you are in New Zealand, you are approximately 15 minutes from somewhere spectacularly beautiful.”
He’s thankful for the opportunities he had at OPAIC. He says supportive and experienced staff helped him get clarity on what approach he should take to achieve his career goals.
Studying at OPAIC also gave him the opportunity to meet the right people.
“Attending the networking events at the campus helped me connect with people who were on the same journey as me.”
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Applied Management.
Using VR to promote sustainable buildings (April 22 2020)

An OPAIC team has published a research paper about using virtual reality to promote sustainable buildings.
Buildings made of raw earth are popular around the world due to their health benefits, indoor environment quality, passive solar gains, aesthetics, thermal efficiency, weathertightness, low cost of building materials and high functionality.
However, residential earth buildings are uncommon in New Zealand. Research shows that the lack of awareness of earth buildings and their benefits is one of the main barriers to earth construction.
The OPAIC team studied the use of virtual reality to promote residential earth buildings in New Zealand.
The team was made up of Senior Lecturer in Construction Dr Don Samarasinghe, Head of Department for Management Dr Lehan Stemmet, and former Head of Department for Information Technology Dr Nilufar Baghaei.
They designed and implemented a virtual reality model of a sustainable earth building including earth walls, rainwater harvesting tank, dry toilet, solar panels, and green wall as a sustainable building model.
They believe the research will eventually contribute to making advancements in finding new ways to effectively promote earth buildings as homes in New Zealand.
Read more here.
Making the most of the lockdown (April 22 2020)

Aleksandr Taran is making the most of the lockdown by engaging in online learning and using his spare time to practise his English.
Aleksandr, who is from Russia, recently finished his English language certificate at OPAIC and started studying the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology.
He’s currently in Auckland and engaged in online learning while the country is in lockdown.
Online classes take place from Monday to Thursday for his programming and database courses. Friday is his self-study day.
Microsoft Teams is the main app used for communicating with teachers and fellow students. He and his classmates also have a WhatsApp group for discussions. Additionally, he is welcome to call his lecturers whenever he needs to.
While Aleksandr prefers traditional face-to-face teaching, he says his teachers are striving to make online learning as convenient as possible in the current conditions. He’s very thankful to them for that.
Self-motivation is important during this time. He says it’s easier to concentrate on study in a classroom environment, but now he has to make a special effort to stay focused and not become too relaxed.
Aleksandr already has some experience in IT, having worked in the industry. For him the Graduate Diploma is all about refreshing his knowledge, looking at issues from different perspectives and exchanging ideas with classmates.
He says he is coping well with the lockdown on a personal level.
He’s enjoying spending time with his flatmates, who are native English speakers, and using this time as an opportunity to improve his English-speaking skills.
Last week he celebrated his birthday and his flatmates made a special dinner with cake, candles, and singing.
Continuing to study from afar (April 21 2020)

Roman Nazarov found himself unable to return to New Zealand when COVID-19 border restrictions came into effect, but he hasn’t let that get in the way of his study.
The postgraduate business student travelled to Turkey during his most recent study break. There he met up with his girlfriend who he hadn’t seen since he came to New Zealand to begin his study.
“However, my exiting experience was spoiled with the border closure news, so I had to return to my home city in Russia and start my online studying a week later.”
Now Roman takes part in four online sessions each week - two for each of his courses - from his home in Krasnoyarsk.
Despite the tough circumstances, Roman has found plenty of positives in his current situation.
“Generally, everything is good so far, and I'm quite happy with this format.”
There have been no communication issues, and the timing of his lectures suits him.
One downside of online learning is that he doesn’t have as many opportunities to practise his English as he had on campus.
However, he’s grateful to be able to continue his study while being close to his loved ones during these hard times.
Celebrating our top scholars in a virtual setting (April 20 2020)

We’d like to congratulate all the students recognised at our Excellent Scholars award ceremony today.
Excellent Scholars takes place every study block and recognises top achievers from each programme.
It usually happens over a lunch on campus, but we did things a little differently this time around. Our scholars and staff met via video chat in Microsoft Teams.
Today we recognised Udesh Muthuranga Hettige, Md Fahad Bin Sultan, Pankaj Kumar, Somina Shahi, Reinardus Jason Gunawan, Giovan Setiawan, Huyen Linh Luong, Shitong Tian, Dhiya Denny, Francisco Salazar Andrade, Vimitaben Mukeshchandra Vaidya, Nishaben Jayminkumar Patel and Jay Dharmendra Mistry.
Head of Department for Student Success & Employability Annemarie Meijnen and Deputy Chief Executive Gagan Sachdeva congratulated students on their achievements and invited them to share the secrets to their successes.
Udesh said he takes notes daily. “It helps to recap every theory shared by the lecturer. Try to relate your own life experiences in the examples demonstrated.”
He also noted the importance of helping other students who are struggling.
Giovan said he dedicates time to his assignments every single day, even if it’s just 30 minutes.
Fahad said it’s important to share ideas with lecturers to evaluate findings, and to go through tasks again and again until the lessons are clear.
Somina said asking lecturers questions if you’re confused about anything is key.
Jason said he notes down any questions or doubts and discusses them with fellow classmates.
“Also ask other people to read your assignments to make sure your ideas make sense.”
Gaining global construction experience online (April 17 2020)

A group of construction students have made OPAIC proud at a global online competition.
OPAIC selected a team of four undergraduate construction students to participate in the Chartered Institute of Building Global Student Challenge (CIOB GSC) 2020 earlier this month.
The challenge is all about allowing students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real-world scenario of running their very own virtual construction company.
The OPAIC team went up against 47 teams from as far afield as UK, Scotland, USA, Canada, South Africa and Asia in six rounds of competition.
OPAIC finished 12^th overall, and first out of the six teams from New Zealand. The other five teams came from universities around the country.
Construction lecturer LipWah Ho said students learned a lot about managing a virtual construction company through the competition.
Lip helped prepare the students through experiential learning, equipping them with the skills and strategies required to participate effectively in the competition.
He says the team learned through their mistakes which resulted in their virtual company’s value being reduced over four rounds, and eventually managed to increase the company value, and share price.
Lip’s confident the experience will make the OPAIC team stronger in CIOB GSC 2021.
Our team members were Fei Wang, Chunling Li, Jiaxi Chen, and Jiale You, pictured above with Lip.
Keeping online learning interesting through gamification (April 17 2020)

Our lecturers are finding innovative ways of keeping their students engaged during the lockdown period.
Senior Business Lecturer Lorraine Skelton has started using gamification as part of her online teaching. Gamification uses elements of game playing, such as competition, to enhance engagement.
She’s been using applications such as Karma, which has a leader board where students get tokens for achieving goals, and showing good teamwork and communication. She says the Karma app has quite an industry following.
Lorraine’s also put her students into groups within Microsoft Teams, which complete against each other. Three teams are currently in the running for the top spot and a prize.
She hopes the gamification approach will help students become more technology savvy, which will be important for their future careers.
Overcoming COVID-19 challenges to continue study (April 16 2020)

OPAIC student Alexey Zernov intended to take a short holiday in Russia between completing his English language programme and starting his Master of Applied Management.
“However, not everything happens as we planned sometimes,” he says.
“Coronavirus sharply spread around the world, and more and more countries closed their borders every day.”
His trip from Auckland to his home city of Tomsk went smoothly, despite having to take a roundabout route through Bangkok, Vienna, and Moscow. He arrived home to an outside temperature of -25degC.
Alexey says he quickly settled into his usual routines, spending all his free time with his family and even forgetting about COVID-19 for a while.
He then heard about growing travel restrictions around Europe. He was due to travel back to New Zealand via Munich but had to change his itinerary to exclude any European countries.
Alexey managed to line up a flight that would go from Moscow to Auckland via Singapore.
“At this time, I thought that all should be ok, and began preparations for my flight.”
However, the New Zealand Government then announced everyone arriving would need to self-isolate for 14 days and his landlord asked him to find somewhere else to stay for the self-isolation period.
Unperturbed, Alexey arranged accommodation for the two-week period, but the news then came that New Zealand’s borders had been closed.
“That was the last straw,” says Alexey.
Despite all the setbacks, Alexey’s thankful OPAIC has allow him to begin his mater’s degree from Russia. He’s now taking part in online classes.
“It is a very comprehensive and useful experience,” he says.
The online delivery mode comes with challenges and opportunities.
Due to time differences, he starts his classes at 3.30am, which is “a little bit uncomfortable”. Group work can also be a little harder online.
On the other hand, he can be at home with his family, and save money on rent.
Alexey says the COVID-19 situation in Russia is stable. He is in lockdown until the end of April, and almost all international flights have been cancelled.
He’s looking forward to seeing all his friends back in Auckland when restrictions are lifted.
Nursing graduate praised for care of British PM (April 15 2020)

We're immensely proud of our London-based Bachelor of Nursing graduate Jenny McGee, who provided care to British PM Boris Johnson as he spent time in ICU with the coronavirus Covid-19.

Jenny has made international headlines after Mr Johnson praised her for her support, kindness and professionalism at a time he described as being 'touch and go' for him.

Jenny graduated from Otago Polytechnic in 2005, where she received A+ grades for community health and for her communication skills.

Our thoughts and well wishes are with Jenny and all of her colleagues on the NHS frontline in the UK as they provide care in these challenging times.

Read the ODT story here

Watch the Newshub story here
Sonny’s top five lockdown tips (April 7 2020)

Our ICT & Facilities Manager Sonny Teio has complied his top tips for taking care of your wellbeing during the lockdown.

1. Be Tidy
Keep to your normal routine as much as possible. Make your bed, do your house chores and maintain a clean and safe environment to work/study in at home.

2. Be Connected
Whether it is a simple text, quick phone call or an email message, make connecting with others a priority every day. If in a flatting situation, set a time every day to put your technology gadgets away and just connect for a few minutes and share one thing you did well or enjoyed that day.

3. Be Nourished
Drink plenty of water, have plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Set alarms on your phones to stop what you are doing and nourish your body. Treat yourself with a guilt-free cheat snack now and then to balance out your mental sanity.

4. Be Grateful
Appreciate what you have in life whether you do that in prayer, mediation, journaling or even a short social media post. Share what you are grateful for in life during the lockdown.

5. Be Active
Get up and go as often as possible. Eat your meals standing up or go for a walk around your house. Schedule time for any kind of movement of at least 30 minutes activity.
Blowing bubbles across the airwaves (April 6 2020)

Our very own Professor Samuel Mann is reaching out across the airwaves in an Otago Access Radio partnership with Otago Polytechnic titled “Blowing Bubbles”.

The series, which began on 31 March, is all about making connections in a time of self-isolation, Sam says.
The conversations among people in bubbles in New Zealand and around the world include exploring the ways in which people are living their bubble lives, working from home, keeping kids entertained, staying connected, getting exercise, as well as pondering potential societal paradigm shifts.
As a mentor and facilitator for Capable NZ, and a key driver of the innovative Sam Doctor of Professional Practice and Bachelor of Leadership for Change programmes, Sam is often involved in the deep, highly collaborative process of enabling change.
Importantly, Sam says, these dramatic changes to our daily lives provide an opportunity to reflect and discuss new ways of living.
“The big question is, what can we learn from these experiences? What’s important – and what’s not?
“A key question that follows from that is, how can we instill what we’ve learnt and build a new future?”
Sam is not alone in his conversational quest. Along with a range of guests, he is joined by co-hosts Shane Montague-Gallagher and Mawera Karetai who, with Sam, have been running a weekly OAR show, “Sustainable Lens”.
Tune in to “Blowing Bubbles”, weekdays at 3pm, on OAR FM Dunedin (105.4FM and 1575AM).
Visit OAR or the Sustainability Lens show.
Adapting to teaching under COVID-19 lockdown (April 6 2020)

When New Zealand went into lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, our staff needed to quickly adapt. For our academic staff, this meant moving all classes online – a challenge given our focus on experiential learning. In this piece our staff speak about how the switch to online learning is working.

Learning and Teaching Specialist James Staples
James says online learning has been off to a good start. He’s part of the Learning and Development Team advising lecturers on how best to deliver their classes.
“According to the feedback we received, students loved the new method of teaching and many of them were comfortable with the process that they found to be more flexible and convenient.”
They like that there is no travel involved and they feel it encourages more self-directed learning.
He says those students who had read the notes beforehand received greater benefit from the online sessions, which highlights the value of providing them with clear, descriptive tasks to complete.
“What is truly positive is that students who would normally be silent in class, due to language ability, were more engaged because they could use the chat feature in Microsoft Teams.”

Management lecturer Marianne Cherrington
Marianne has been following the lesson plan suggested by our Learning and Development Team.
This has involved delivering her lecturers using Microsoft Teams.
She’s using PowerPoint to facilitate activities in the middle of the sessions, where students can guide each other's learning using the chat feature and ask questions.
With large classes, she mutes microphones for the first hour but encourages students to talk to each other in the last hour.
“Students were really wanting to chat with each other, wish each other well and find out who was in their cohort or what their friends were doing.”
“I think, with being in lockdown, students are really enjoying the structure and the chance to have everyone online at the same time. I think by keeping it as simple and straightforward as possible, students feel as if they will succeed!”

Senior Management Lecturer Krish Naidu
Krish says communication is the key to online learning.
Students need to come to class prepared and having done some background work, for the session to be productive and efficient.
“I have made it compulsory for students to read the PowerPoint notes and relevant articles before coming. There should be no surprises as to what will be covered in the session.”
Krish says it’s also a good idea to spend a few minutes talking about their wellbeing and what support we can provide them, and remind them to take care and follow the current Government regulations.
It’s important to direct some questions to individuals to make sure they are paying attention.
Students who don’t have the confidence to speak over the microphone are encouraged to use the chat box.
Krish says students are adapting well to online teaching and they do understand the situation we are in. They are also digitally literate and able to navigate through the platform.
“Students are actually realising studying online also means they are under greater scrutiny as they have to do compulsory activities outside the class which, normally, they would have considered optional or may not have strictly adhered to. So, it’s actually to our advantage.”

Management lecturer Russell Harray
Russell starts his online classes with a general question and gets everyone to give a comment. This provides an informal start to the lesson and allows him to take the role.
He’s arranged for his classes to set up their own teams so they can have more private discussions on a topic he gives them. Then they add their summary to a Moodle forum.
He has a student in each class who is familiar with Microsoft Teams and is providing help to other students over chat. One student is recording the formal video conversations and posting them in files for the rest to see.
“Students have grasped the online learning easily and we’ve had no negative feedback to date,” says Russell.
It's been a learning curve for him, but he’s had good help from the Learning and Development Team.
“Some of this approach can be used in a face-to-face class situation once we get back to normal.”

Senior Lecturer in Construction Dr Don Samarasinghe
Don (pictured) says a lot of preparatory activities and meetings took place prior to delivering classes online.
“For me, my virtual classes are working just as well as physical face-to-face classes.
His presentations are shared with online learners and he uses Microsoft Whiteboard to share his sketches with students.
He also has a whiteboard at home and uses it to visually connect with students.
“I think it is all about your passion for education. I enjoy preparing for my classes so that I can share my knowledge and experience with my students to the best of my ability,” says Don.
“I am learning so much about effective virtual class deliveries. I take COVID-19 as a challenging yet a bundle of opportunities to grow as an effective educational consultant.”
He says students have appreciated his preparation work prior to the classes and they thoroughly enjoy online classes.
“They are very comfortable to stay at home and learn effectively though the Microsoft Teams digital platform. We are enjoying this once in a life opportunity to stay at home and learn through virtual classes.”
Hopping to it (April 2 2020)

Until two years ago, Michael Seiler had never attempted to brew beer. Now the Otago Brew School grad is mixing with New Zealand’s top beer judges.
Michael (pictured far left) was recently awarded the inaugural New World Beer and Cider Awards scholarship, enabling him to attend the awards as an associate judge.
He discusses his journey in all things beer in this Otago Daily Times feature-length article.
Horticulture veteran profiled in ODT (April 2 2020)

Wayne King has been involved in nearly all aspects of Central Otago’s and New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
The 73-year-old has owned an orchard, run a consultancy business, recertified spraying contractors throughout the South Island, won a national award and represented New Zealand at a conference in the UK.
Wayne, who has been a lecturer in horticulture at Otago Polytechnic’s Central Campus for about 20 years, is profiled in the Otago Daily Times.
Read more about our Horticulture programmes
A new approach to Orientation (March 31 2020)

We took a new approach to Orientation at OPAIC last week.
COVID-19 prevented our new students from attending their traditional on-campus Orientation.
Fortunately, we had recently finished designing an online Orientation course.
The course covers introductions to staff, tips for academic success, advice about living in New Zealand and wellbeing information, among other things.
We shared the course with students and organised two webcasts to guide them through the material last week.
Head of Department for Student Success & Employability Annemarie Meijnen led the sessions.
ICT & Facilities Manager Sonny Teio, Student Counsellor Ellen Yu, Employability Manager Andrew Tui, and Student Experience Coordinator Anastasia Timoshkina all spoke about their areas of expertise.
Staff from a range of other teams were also present online to introduce themselves to students and answer any questions.
Feedback from students was positive, with many appreciative of the creative approach to Orientation.
Stay active with ISEH live fitness sessions (March 31 2020)

Clocked Netflix? Eaten all your snacks? Fear not! Staff members from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health have got you covered.
Tune in for their live exercise classes.

Tapuae at home
Daily at 12:15pm

ZOOMba sessions with Codi R
Mon, Wed, Fri at 2:30pm

HIIT Bootcamp sessions with Markham B
Tuesday and Thurs at 8.00am

Photo by LYFE Fuel on Unsplash
Online Orientation a success (March 31 2020)

We took a new approach to Orientation at our Auckland International Campus last week.
COVID-19 prevented our new students from attending their traditional on-campus Orientation.
Fortunately, Learning Support Advisor Katy Lockwood and Student Experience Coordinator Anastasia Timoshkina had recently finished designing an online Moodle Orientation course.
The course covers introductions to staff, tips for academic success, advice about living in New Zealand and wellbeing information, among other things.
We shared the Moodle course with students and organised two webcasts to guide them through the material last week.
Head of Department for Student Success & Employability Annemarie Meijnen led the sessions.
ICT & Facilities Manager Sonny Teio, Student Counsellor Ellen Yu, Employability Manager Andrew Tui, and Student Experience Coordinator Anastasia Timoshkina all spoke about their areas of expertise.
Staff from a range of other teams were also present online to introduce themselves to students and answer any questions.
Feedback from students was positive, with many appreciative of the creative approach to Orientation.
From Cape Reinga to the Bluff (February 18 2020)

Not everyone would choose lecturer Daniel Pfyl’s 60th birthday present to himself. He is about to spend 30 days cycling the length of New Zealand.
“Some people have asked why I don’t spend two weeks in Fiji on the beach instead. But that wouldn’t be me,” Daniel says.
A knee injury from running two decades ago prompted Daniel’s physiotherapist to suggest a new hobby. Now he has a bike in every port.

“My wife always asks, ‘Do you really need another bike?’ I’ve got one in Rotorua and one in Switzerland just in case.”

Tour Aotearoa is a ride, not a race. Over 1000 riders will follow an exact route from the top of the North to the bottom of the South, with the entry fees going to a charity of each rider’s choice. Daniel has nominated the Red Cross.
“Cycling on gravel roads and beaches is one challenge – but being self-supporting is the other. You have to take the tent, sleeping bag, clothes, the whole lot. If there’s a mechanical failure you have to fix it. It’s all on you on your bike.”
Daniel has some sage advice for anyone brave enough to consider a similar escapade.

“You have to look after your backside!”

It took Daniel about two years to plan this adventure because he had to ensure the programme he leads continues while he’s away.
“I’m really grateful that the polytechnic has allowed me to do it.”
As Senior Lecturer at the Food Design Institute (FDI), Daniel thrives on helping others overcome challenges.

“I like seeing the students progress. They’re quite often very shy at the beginning, then you can see them getting confidence. The other thing I really enjoy is tracking where students go. I can see the programme is successful in putting students into the workplace.”

Recently a student himself, Daniel finished his Master of Professional Practice through Otago Polytechnic last year.
“It took about five years. The panel said I’m a very resilient learner!”
While Daniel can boast a myriad of local and international experience before starting his role at Otago Polytechnic 21 years ago, his biggest claim to fame is undoubtedly being the chef to the Sultan of Brunei.
“The budget didn’t matter. The biggest event was his majesty’s birthday – a 6500 person sit down dinner. I also catered for his private jets. It was an amazing five years.”
Follow Daniel’s progress here.
Designing his own degree – and a solution to food waste (December 12 2019)

When Finn Boyle learnt about the waste inherent in our food systems, he changed his own behaviour – but soon realised he wanted to make a bigger impact. As a result of his studies at Otago Polytechnic, he is now influencing the future of organic waste collection.

“As soon as I heard about the Bachelor of Leadership for Change I knew it was for me,” Finn says.

“Some of the most exciting and inspiring thinkers and community organisers in Aotearoa are studying and facilitating the degree – challenging old ways of thinking and devising new ways of doing. It’s an awesome community of learning, and I wanted in!”
Finn wanted to change how we dispose of organic waste such as food, garden waste, paper hand towels and certain food packaging.
“In order to see what was happening, I went on a month-long trip around the country looking at different sites at different scales that were dealing with organic waste.”
As a result of his research, Finn realised that the solution to improving organic waste processing is two-fold.

“We need to build better infrastructure. And we need to shift the culture and engage people with our systems. Changing behaviour is what’s difficult!”

Finn decided to apply what he had learnt to the polytechnic – but first, he had some more learning to do.
“I figured out what the gaps were in my capabilities, skills and networks – the barriers to me reaching my goal. For example, I had no idea how to work within a big institution. I’ve been able to use Otago Polytechnic as that learning sandbox, and the context here is applicable to other organisations.
“I’ve also learnt skills like budgeting. I went to experts and got advice, and that’s paid off with a grant from the Dunedin City Council.”
Next, Finn analysed the organic waste systems at Otago Polytechnic, and discovered that they were at their limit. With the help of other Otago Polytechnic students, he is now building a new composting facility that will allow for hands-on engagement.
“We’ve got two teams of mechanical engineering students working on processing devices. And once we’re ready to implement the new system, we’ll ask the communication design students to help us tell the story. It gives learners an opportunity to be involved in a project that has a tangible impact they can be proud of.”
Finn may have finished the formal part of his study, but he is continuing on with his project – as a Resource Recovery employee at Otago Polytechnic. The composting facility will open next year, and Finn already has plans to scale it up to help improve organic waste processing across the region.
Finn is full of praise for the opportunities provided by Otago Polytechnic.
“The Bachelor of Leadership for change is incredible. I really, really loved it. I got so much from it.”

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From high-school dropout to youth leader (October 18 2019)

Nathan Laurie entered student politics on a whim – and now the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA) president is working with central government … and helping save the planet.
“In my first week at the polytechnic they asked for two class reps. My classmates were looking at me, so I put my hand up,” Nathan says.
He went on to become a campus rep, and then joined the OPSA Board before taking on his current role.

“I became interim president at the beginning of this semester, and it’s opened up a whole world … of meetings, correspondence and admin! I’ve also been able to get a broad and nuanced perspective into how the tertiary sector works.”

One of Nathan’s goals is to lift the profile of OPSA, which provides services, support, information and advocacy to polytechnic students. OPSA offers everything from hardship grants to sports awards.
“We want to make sure students know who we are. I’ve been building relationships with the polytech and throughout Dunedin in order to benefit our students.”
He’s now in the second year of an applied management degree, but learning hasn’t always been straightforward for Nathan, who didn’t complete NCEA level 3. He took the alternative path of gaining university entrance through taking business admin studies at SIT in Invercargill.
“At SIT I was able to develop the passions and interests that I hadn’t been able to cultivate at high school.”
Once he had university entrance, Nathan moved to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago.
“It’s what you’re expected to do if you don’t want to stay in Invercargill.”
But Nathan didn’t feel that the traditional teaching style worked for him. So after taking a year out to work, he signed up to study at Otago Polytechnic.

“I love how the teachers here accommodate different students and their needs. They try hard to figure out what makes each student tick and what they need to pass the course. The lecturers are the most valuable resource available to students. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields they teach.

“Another strength of the polytechnic is that the classes aren’t massive. Smaller classes give you a chance to spark discussions and raise ideas – something you can’t do in a huge lecture theatre with a tiny little person down the front. It’s a totally different dynamic.”
Nathan has been selected to represent the voice of students on an ‘Education Products and Services’ co-design working group, which will provide advice to the incoming Council of the new Institute of Skills & Technology (NZIST).
And if that’s not enough, Nathan was also instrumental in organising Otago Polytechnic’s student and staff participation in the 27 September Strike 4 Climate.

“The strike was so exciting. It’s exactly the kind of thing I joined OPSA to do. It was heart-warming to see our students commit to this community-wide event that brought everybody together in a place of aroha and kotahitanga. Kotahitanga means unity and togetherness – and that’s what I felt.”

The climate strike is just one of several events and activities that Nathan and other OPSA student execs have engaged with – including the Hope Walk for suicide awareness, the North Dunedin street clean-up in honour of Sophia Crestani, and the Deep and Meaningful Conversation mental health awareness event.
Although he’s studying business and tourism, Nathan isn't ruling out a future in advocacy.
“If I continue to pay attention to the political and social influences that shape students’ lives, and if I continue to see gaps here and there, then I might continue on this student politics path. This will involve a great deal of self-development – which is something I try to build on every day. Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for your relationships with everyone else.
“I’m trying to learn a lot in as many ways as possible – but that’s only half of it. The other half is finding the best ways to use my knowledge for the benefit of the people around me.”

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Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

We are calling for presentations for the 5th Annual Professional Practice Symposium.

We are calling for abstracts for oral presentations of research undertaken by SIT, Ara or Otago Polytechnic staff on any topic.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions until further notice.

SITE 2021: end of year student exhibition (flickr gallery)

The Dunedin Campus will be open today.

Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Megan Gibbons has had plenty of practice polishing her speech for this Friday’s graduation ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall.

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Talk about getting involved at ground level.

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Otago Polytechnic today unveiled new Māori names for four of its key buildings.

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The Mana Pounamu Young Achievers’ Awards celebrates its 20th year in 2020.

An Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Architectural Studies graduate has won the student category at the 2020 Dunedin Heritage Awards.

Chief Executive Megan Gibbons provided plenty of food for thought at the Staff Forum today, Thursday 22 October.

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Otago Polytechnic lecturer Jade Morgan has been awarded the Arts Access Corrections Māui Tikitiki ā Taranga Award 2020, recognising his work at Otago Corrections’ Facility.

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“The opening day of this important symposium has been deeply empowering."

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The New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) has joined forces with Swedish-based FutureGames and Otago Polytechnic, to develop new, world-class vocational training to supply talent for Dunedin’s burgeoning video games industry.

A small but significant exhibition, opening next week, provides a slice of history of the Dunedin School of Art.

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Hamish Robertson didn’t let injury stand in the way of him playing a hand in the Otago Nuggets’ successful 2020 National Basketball League campaign.

Otago Polytechnic will welcome prospective students to campus on Monday.

Due to Covid-19 disruption, NZQA have introduced a change to University Entrance requirements for those learners who have studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020.

Otago Polytechnic welcomes the announcement of a multi-million-dollar Trade Training Centre, to be built at the heart of its Forth St Campus.

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Otago Polytechnic welcomes the Government’s decision to scrap fees for a wide range of vocational education programmes.

Help us make a better world by contributing to a hot new project – OP’s new community composting station!

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Otago Polytechnic Chaplain Steve Downey has seen plenty of elevated anxiety over the past several weeks of lockdown – “and that’s understandable”. But he has also noted plenty of positive signs.

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Otago Polytechnic has partnered with the Otago Cricket Association in an innovative and exciting project, a proposed $1.1 million world-class cricket and education facility – the Otago International Centre of Cricket Excellence, in Dunedin.

Jema Shaw recognises that Covid-19 has prompted more than a few lifestyle changes since she graduated with a Bachelor of Culinary Arts from Otago Polytechnic on 13 March – yet some priorities remain clear.

Finnish exchange student Milana Virtanen is back home in Helsinki, safe and well, thanks to the help of Otago Polytechnic staff who, like Milana, have gone the extra mile.

Until two years ago, Michael Seiler had never attempted to brew beer. Now the Otago Brew School grad is mixing with New Zealand’s top beer judges.

Wayne King has been involved in nearly all aspects of Central Otago’s and New Zealand’s horticulture sector.

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Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions.

Note: the DSA Gallery is not open to the Public under the current Covid-Protection Framework.
Documentation of exhibitions will be shown in our online flickr gallery the week following exhibitions until further notice.

Otago Polytechnic’s School of Midwifery - Te Kura Atawhai kā Kaiakopono te Hākuitaka has been granted almost $180,000 to research trans, non-binary and takatāpui-inclusive maternity care.