Latest news from Unitec School of Creative Industries
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Monday, 24 July 2023
Creative Industries welcomes ākonga and kaimahi into their new home in B108
Design students attend their first class in B108 on Monday afternoon with lecturer/discipline lead Cris De Groot
The School of Creative Industries welcomed back ākonga and kaimahi for Semester Two in their brand new building. On Monday morning, the green light was given to move into B108 to the delight of our new and returning ākonga who arrived excited to start the semester in their new home. Operational Lead for Unitec & MIT, Professor Martin Carroll said: “This new facility will reinforce the vitality of Unitec Te-Pūkenga as the provider of excellent training for the burgeoning and critical creative industries. That we are able to open this week is a testimony to the patience and hard mahi of the School - thank you!" The building was blessed last Friday by Unitec-Te Pūkenga's marae and MAIA team which was attended by Te Pūkenga Region 1 Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Unitec-Te Pūkenga leadership team members and kaimahi. The significance of this occasion was captured by head of school, Associate Professor, Vanessa Byrnes: "We had a wonderful karakia/blessing to open the building. At this, Papa Ho (Hohepa Renata) talked about the esoteric knowledge of our ancestors coming to life in B108. I couldn’t agree more. This new home gives us the chance to be mindful of the many people who’ve come before us." She added: "It is a home for all our learners and people in the School. We’re thrilled that they can enjoy this beautiful new space – a blank canvas for talent to thrive. Thank you to everyone who’s gone above and beyond to make this building come together."
Message from the Head of School
Welcome to Semester Two
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Welcome to Semester 2 – and the exciting first week of learning in Building 108, our new home for the School. B108 is a home for all our learners and people in the School. We’re thrilled that you can see and enjoy this beautiful new space – a blank canvas for talent to thrive. Thank you to everyone who’s gone above and beyond to make this building come together.
Please ensure you’ve done an induction of B108 with your teacher/Kaiako so that you’re aware of this big building’s requirements. This is vitally important, especially since there are still several things to finish off in some of the spaces. If in doubt, please ask a School staff member.
We’re working towards end of August for our Open Day; so please remember that we need to keep all spaces public-facing and tidy at all times. This includes only the use of water bottles in all teaching and learning spaces. Please let’s all abide by this to respect the kaupapa.
Lastly, Students and Staff are welcome to use the shared spaces, and of course all staff are welcome in the staff room. This building is a gift to all of us and those to come. Let your talent thrive.
‘He toi whakairo, he mana tangata’: ‘Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.’
Dr Vanessa Byrnes
Ahorangi Tuarua | Associate Professor
Head of School
Creative Industries | Manukura: Te Kura O Ngā Mahi Auaha
Blessing & Tour of CI in B108
Unitec Dance alumna directs FIFA Women's World Cup opening ceremony
The FIFA Women's Football World Cup kicked off last week at Auckland's Eden Park and one of our esteemed dance alumni, Malia Johnston (1998 Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts graduate) was the director of the opening ceremony which preceded the opening game between the New Zealand Football Ferns and Norway. "The kaupapa of the ceremony is celebrating cultural origins, female empowerment and football unity and there's a large cast of volunteers that we're dealing with," said Johnston. Rehearsals took place over two months. Johnston is a choreographer and dance director who has created works for many of New Zealand's dance companies and events such as the World of Wearable Arts and the Armistice centenary 11 November 2018.
Unitec dance alumna (1998) Malia Johnston (above) was the director for the opening ceremony of the FIFA Women's World Cup (below)
Unitec-Te Pūkenga short film screens alongside the best Maori and Pasifika shorts at NZIFF 2023
Unitec Screen Arts graduate and The Last Sunday writer/director Saito Lilo (kneeling, 2nd from left) at the NZIFF Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023 screening at ASB Waterfront Theatre last Saturday.
Unitec produced short film, The Last Sunday made its long awaited screening at the New Zealand International Film Festival last Saturday during the Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023 programme at ASB Waterfront Theatre. Director/writer and Unitec Screen Arts grad, Saito Lilo was present to introduce his film on stage alongside the filmmakers of the other films selected. Also in attendance were cast and crew members of The Last Sunday and Creative Industries PASA Academic Programme Manager, Michael Miller. "It was an awesome experience," says Saito. "The films were great and the environment was awesome. Got to meet some nice people, filmmakers and industry executives, who all had very positive things to say about the film."
Find more about the Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023 programme
Eddie Elliott (above) talks about his work Uku (below)
Graduate brings back work for The New Zealand Dance Company tour
Emerging choreographer and 2013 Unitec Dance graduate, Eddie Elliott (Ngati Maniapoto) is currently working with The New Zealand Dance Company to bring back his work Uku – Behind the Canvas after a successful premiere last year. He considers Uku “the birthing of me as a choreographer”. Uku – Behind the Canvas is inspired by the Maori mythology of Hineahuone, the first woman, created by Tane-Mahuta from clay. Uku – Behind the Canvas will paint the stages of Rotorua, Hamilton and New Plymouth in August as part of The NZDC’s Night Light tour.
Read Stuff's full interview with Eddie Elliott
Graphic Design grad using TikTok to build personalities for New Zealand businesses
Unitec graphic design graduate (2014), Kristy Campbell has built an empire creating a personality for New Zealand businesses. She has designed logos and branding for about 300 businesses since she set up her digital agency in 2020. The 30-year-old generates the majority of her business from TikTok and Instagram. She says her design studio, Pink Pony Creative, has been built on social media and offering behind-the-scenes insight into her design processes.
Kristy Campbell of Pink Pony Creative
2023 Creative Industries Events Calendar
19 July New Zealand International Film Festival
Auckland until 6 August
24 July Semester Two begins
This e-newsletter is distributed weekly by the School of Creative Industries at Unitec-Te Pūkenga. If you have any news of student, staff or alumni achievement as well as relevant events, please email the details to creative@unitec.ac.nz
