Tuesday 20 February 2024

Kia ora e te whānau

Many thanks to all those who attended our recent Kaimahi Kōrero sessions across the rohe. It was very valuable for us to hear your pātai, as well as your comments around our future state. We were really pleased to see that around 220 kaimahi attended the three hui, and the questions raised were forwarded to the national communications team who are compiling and updating Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – you can find the latest FAQs here.

We've set up two online hui for those who couldn't make it in person, and we're also organising a face-to-face hui at Waitākere campus.

We plan to host further hui to kōrero with you as we move through the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga and the return to more local decision-making. It will be important to work with you and hear your views, as well as those of our communities and key stakeholders, including ākonga, Iwi – hapū and industry.

Te Pūkenga disestablishment

Consultation started last week with kaimahi most affected by progress towards the September 2023 Tāraia te anamata | Creating our futures structure. We’re aware that the latest proposals will affect people in different ways. Please seek support from your manager or a PCW representative if you need further details, you’re unsure how this process affects you, or you just need to talk. We are also here to support you as we move through this process.  

The wider picture of the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga is being considered by a Disestablishment Working Group. The group will oversee disestablishment matters, with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the Working Group currently focused on ensuring all actions align with the Minister's Letter of Expectations.

As Regional Co-Leads, our role will be to provide stewardship and kaitiakitanga for our region and our business divisions. We will need to ensure that our key focus is on continuing delivering quality tertiary education for our ākonga and communities, while also working towards a suitable future structure and ways of working that meet the Minister’s expectations.

It’s reassuring to now have our Chief Executive in place, with the announcement of Gus Gilmore accepting this role. Having certainty and consistency, with a CE who knows our business so well, will help to move the disestablishment process along so we can plan for the future.

Brand update

Te Pūkenga has released new branding guidelines as we move into the disestablishment phase. Across Rohe 1 we are coordinating the reintroduction of single brands. In late March you'll see websites, social media and marketing emails change, then from 1 May ākonga advertising will also use single brand.

We are working on updating staff email signatures, office templates etc.; keep an eye on your local intranet for updates. If you have any questions around branding, please contact your local marketing teams.

Wellbeing support

Our Wellbeing and Safety team has shared a couple of opportunities this month…

Financial wellbeing workshop: Thursday 29 February, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, online 
This is the first of four financial wellbeing workshops happening this year. In this session, learn the foundations of successful cash flow management. Identify the key traits that breed financial success and implement two proven systems that can guarantee you hit your spending goals. Register here.

Ride and Shine! Throughout February
It’s not too late, you are only one ride away from a good mood with the #AotearoaBikeChallenge. Riding a bike can boost your endorphins, improve your mood, help you sleep, and enjoy better overall wellbeing. Register at aotearoa.bike to enjoy the benefits of biking and win prizes!

Waitangi Day

Those of us who attended the events at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds had a great day with numerous opportunities for networking and having conversations with potential ākonga. It was good to see our current ākonga staffing the MIT stand in Tāmaki too, they were wonderful ambassadors.

Semester One start

Our campuses have hosted a series of Open Days, enrolments sessions and pōwhiri to welcome our new and returning ākonga. Pictured below is the Pacific orientation at Unitec, hosted by Unitec's Pacific Centre, to welcome new ākonga.

With enrolments tracking up across the rohe, we now need to focus on supporting our ākonga as the academic year gets under way.

Thank you for doing all you can to give our learners the best experience possible – it is hugely appreciated.

Nā māua iti noa nei, nā

Toa Faneva
Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 1 | Executive Director, Region 1

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 1 | Executive Director, Region 1