Latest news from Unitec School of Creative Industries
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Monday, 25 July 2022
Semester Two welcome for new students
Haere Mai and warmest of welcomes to our Unitec School of Creative Industries and Bridgepoint Education Semester 2 akonga, who received their mihi whakatau onto Ngakau Mahaki, Te Noho Kotahitanga (Unitec Marae) on Friday, 22 July. We, your Unitec whanau, wish you all a smooth and exciting start to the semester ahead, and look forward to supporting and working alongside you on your creative journey!
Whiria te tangata ka puta he oranga,
whiria nga nga mahi toi ka puta he tino rangatiratanga.
Weaving people promotes well-being.
Weaving the arts promotes excellence.
Head of School update
Kia ora koutou friends and whānau of the School.
‘Ka mua, ka muri’ is a whakatauki that many will know which means ‘walking into the future facing backwards’. This calls to mind the idea we should look to the past to inform the future; that our histories help shape who we become. Looked at another way, it means that tradition is needed for disruption to occur, you cannot advance to the next level without foundational knowledge, and that where (and who/what) we come from informs our future direction.
It also speaks to Māori perspectives of time where the past, present and the future are viewed as contiguous and intertwined; kind of like that moment you’re in ‘flow’ and everything just comes together. This is a creative state that we can all find in the work. I wish you much of this as we head towards a semester full of public-facing performances, events, and exhibitions.
Dr Vanessa Byrnes
Head of School
Creative Industries
Standing ovation for acting student at Youth Parliament
Unitec Year 2 Acting student Luke Orbell (Kāi Tahu, Te Taumutu Runanga, Te Runanga o Moeraki) gave an impassioned speech on the generational impact of colonialism in New Zealand at the triennial Youth Parliament in Wellington last week. He was part of 139 young people from across the country – representing New Zealand’s 120 MPs, and youth press gallery members – who descended on the capital to try their hand at Parliamentary debate and mock-lawmaking. Luke was youth MP for Maori Party co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. (photo/article: stuff.co.nz)
Dance tour features Unitec graduates
Footnote Dance Company's upcoming Dry Spell tour features a number of Unitec dance graduates: choreography by Rose Philpott, sound design by Eden Mulholland and performed by company dancers, Veronica Lyu, Ollie Carruthers and Cecilia Wilcox, all Unitec alumni. Dry Spell delves into a shuddering moment in time, blending nostalgia and futurism to create scenes of excitement, fear and pleasure. A mind can be very misleading, especially when we are in close proximity to it. The tour will perform shows in Kapiti, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch and Dunedin from 30 July to 20 August.
Unitec Creative workshops a hit with high school students
Unitec School of Creative Industries in collaboration with the Unitec Pathways College team ran four successful school holiday workshops for high school students at Unitec and offsite venues in New Lynn and Henderson during the Semester break. The Dance Winter Workshop from 12-14 July saw guest instructors such as dance grads Lucy Lynch, Cece Torres, Oli Mathieson and Caleb Heke, assist our core dance team. The Drawing for Character workshop was held onsite in Building 76 on 11 July run by lecturer Paul Woodruffe. Last week, acting grads Kauri Williams and Rebecca Dack ran an acting workshop at the Sports Gym from 20-21 July and screen arts grads Bode Riis, Rebecca Grace Bernard and Sam Goodey ran the Screen Bites workshop at WOAH! Studios in Henderson and Unitec. Many thanks to the UPC team for their mahi to make these workshops happen. Nga mihi nui.
OUR STAFF
Sana Saleem
Subject Librarian, Creative Industries
What do you do at Unitec and how long have you been doing it?
Bula vinaka. My name is Sana and I am your Subject Librarian for Creative Industries. I have been at Unitec for more than eight years with the Unitec Library team.
What's the best thing about your job?
I love coming to the library every day and the people around me inspire me to do better each day as it comes. It is a blessing to uphold and demonstrate both my Pacific and Te Noho Kotahitanga values in my mahi
What is interesting in your world right now?
I’m thinking of a potential research topic towards a PhD study with a focus on academic libraries and indigenous knowledge.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy the talanoa catch-ups with my family and friends. I am learning the skills to become a florist (beginner) as one of my interests.
Where are you from?
I am from Nadi, Fiji. I moved to Aotearoa with my family in 1999, so I have lived here for more than 20 years.
A favourite memory or achievement?
Growing up in Fiji will always be a favourite childhood memory for me. I remember visiting my grandparents village, going for a swim in the Pacific ocean; good old times playing under the mango tree with my sisters.
What's the most important lesson in life you've learned?
Proverb in Fijian “solesolevaki sa itakele ni duavata” which means unity is firmly established when people work together to achieve common goals.
Why is creativity so important to you? Creativity allows me to adapt to the changing environment in these uncertain times; I believe that embedding creative practice into institutional libraries is a way forward to thrive in the sector
What's your advice to aspiring young creatives?
Be who you are and stay true to yourself. As human beings we all experience happy and sad moments in life - whatever situation you’re in, remain humble and positive.
OUR STUDENTS
Tonina Ngatai
Year 3 Student, Contemporary Art
What are you studying and why did you choose it?
I am in my third year and final semester of the Bachelor of Creative Enterprise. I chose this course because I have always been creative and interested in art. I decided to finally finish my degree now that my children are grown and independent. Best decision I could have made.
Where are you from?
I am from Rotorua. Ngati Whakaue is my hapu and Te Arawa is my Iwi. Mum is from Ohinemutu and Dad is from Te Koutu.
The best thing about Unitec is
The Whenua (land). Being able to connect to our natural environment when we need to fill our creative cup and keep grounded - for example, Te Auaunga (Oakley creek waterfall) Te Waiunuroa o Wairaka (the spring at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae). What more can an art student ask for? Drawing on inspiration from nature in its purest form. Amazing :)
Then of course - The people! Staff and students make Unitec a wonderful and easy experience while studying. Staff really do care about their students. The number of different services Unitec provide is absolutely commendable. Nga mihi kia koutou te whanau o te Whare Wananga o Wairaka!
Describe yourself in three words?Artistic, hardworking and selfless (As described by my biggest critics...my kids)
After I graduate, I want to
Continue my academic journey and apply for the Master of Creative Practice in 2023. Would be cool to get a bit of experience in the creative industries as well. Once I've completed my Masters, teaching is something I would seriously consider. We need more Maori art teachers I reckon!
What’s interesting in your world right now?
I'm really not scared to fail because failing leads to something way better - creatively speaking. It's the "Happy accidents" that are totally random but somehow work. That process is what I'm finding super interesting right now.
Best memory or achievement?
As a Mum it seems only natural to say my children are my best achievement. Feels like I struck the Lotto with kids who are unique, genuine, kind hearted, intelligent, talented and whanau orientated. So blessed! Here at Unitec my biggest achievement so far is being a recipient of the Unitec Academic Excellence Scholarships last semester and recently, being one of five, Year 3 art students selected to represent Unitec for the Eden Art School Awards. This is a huge honour. I feel very privileged and extremely grateful for these amazing opportunities.
I’m passionate about?
Feeding the whanau! Food is my love language and my way of showing it is to make food that is good for the soul...and bad for the hips.
My idea of fun is?
I could say I love going hiking and long walks on the beach but honestly, I just love staying home, pottering around and working on multiple art projects at a time. This is seriously my happy place.
Creativity to me means?
We are all gifted with our own unique creative 'Trademark'. Put your own spin on things and colour your world the way you see it. Don't be shy to take the road least travelled!
Documentary follows Unitec grad's transition
Unitec acting grad (2015) Adam Rohe is profiled in Man Lessons which is showing at Bats Theatre from 11-20 August. Over the past six years, this feature length documentary by close friend and filmmaker Ben Sarten, has been in production following Adam’s transition. In this brand-new live show, Rohe takes us through the wild and earnest behind-the-scenes. Dramaturgy by Unitec alumna Eve Gordon.
UNITEC CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - EVENTS CALENDAR 2022
25 July Semester Two begins
26-31 July Year 3 ACTING: Bad Jelly The Witch, Mangere Arts Centre
Get tickets
1 August Exhibition: Master of Creative Practice student, Marcel Stephenson
8 August Exhibition: Master of Creative Practice student, Michaela
15 August Exhibition: Master of Creative Practice student, Jimmy Ma’ia’i
22 August Year 3 SCREEN ARTS: Grad Film Shoots until 9 September
23 August Unitec Open Day ONLINE
