Open Polytechnic Staffer's Blooming Floristry Skills On Display At Graduation
Its an excellent opportunity for me to give back to Open Polytechnic and hopefully my floral arrangements inspire new learners to take up studying floristry, award-winning Academic Staff Member in floristry, Megan Parker says.
The flowers at Open Polytechnic's graduation ceremony in Wellington on Tuesday 27 May had special significance, as they were arranged by award-winning Academic Staff Member in floristry, Megan Parker.
Since Megan is based in the Wellington region, it made perfect sense for Open Polytechnic to call on her 40 years of floristry expertise. This is the fifth time she has carried out this role.
The Wellington ceremony saw 115 graduates receive their diplomas and degrees from Open Polytechnic, New Zealand's specialist provider of online learning.
'It's an excellent opportunity for me to give back to Open Polytechnic and hopefully my floral arrangements inspire new learners to take up studying floristry,' Megan says.
Megan recently received an Associate of Honour, (AHRIH), the highest award possible from the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture's (RNZIH) at the New Zealand National Awards.
The award was for services to horticulture and is limited to just 60 award holders at any one time.
According to the RNZIH, the national awards recognised Megan's expertise, knowledge and services to the field of horticulture in New Zealand.
'It was an honour to be recognised with such a high award by the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture,' Megan says.
Megan has been a member of the New Zealand Professional Florists (NZPF) since 1985.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Fears grow for NorthTec as more cuts loom amid break-up of Te Pūkenga
Te Pūkenga only opened a new NorthTec campus at Ngāwhā, near Kaikohe, in 2023, but it's now scaling back courses as part of a de-merger. Photo: Peter de Graaf Fears are growing for the future of Northland's biggest vocational education provider as it scrambles to break even amid the break-up of mega-institute Te Pūkenga. A 'Save NorthTec Hui' was called at short notice at the main campus in Whangārei on Friday as the institute starts consulting on a new round of cuts. It comes as the government returns 10 polytechnics around the country to standalone, regionally-run institutes, reversing the previous government's 2020 merger. However, polytechnics in four other regions - including Northland - have been given until next year to prove they can be financially viable. Those that can't balance the books face possible closure or a merger with the Open Polytechnic. Tertiary Education Union (TEU) rep Sharlene Nelson told the hui the restructuring proposal could see the axing of courses in forestry, primary industries, apiculture, pest control and creative writing, as well as the closure of the Auckland campus. Adding to staff concern was the uncertainty around whether NorthTec would exist in a few years' time, she said. "Morale is pretty low ... it just creates anxiety, because you don't know if you've still got a job. Do you put that effort in? And where are students going to go if we don't exist?" Nelson said she'd been shocked by revelations in an RNZ report last Thursday that polytechnics around the country expected to cut about 550 courses, up to 900 full-time equivalent staff and 30 delivery sites. "We knew it was happening, but we never saw the magnitude of it. It's quite scary." Another tutor and TEU rep, Jim Hutchinson, said the proposed cuts were devastating for staff. "That's their livelihood, and they love to teach." Hutchinson said the potential closure of NorthTec was especially concerning for students in the Far North, who would have to travel long distances to pursue other training options. Poor connectivity in some parts of Northland made online learning impractical, he added. Nelson said the cuts also threatened Northland's future economic growth. "Without education, how do you grow? If you decide to cut back to next to nothing, then what is the future for Northland?" Former NorthTec student, tutor and director Hūhana Lyndon – now a Green MP – called the Save NorthTec Hui on Friday amid concerns for the institute's future. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf The public hui was called with two days' notice by Hūhana Lyndon, a former NorthTec student, tutor and learner support director, now a Green MP. She said she organised the meeting after news emerged last Wednesday that Northland would not necessarily retain a polytechnic following the dis-establishment of Te Pūkenga. That was followed on Thursday by revelations of the scale of course and job cuts nationwide. Lyndon said uncertainty over the 46-year-old institute's future was "hugely concerning", even if some courses needed "a rev-up". "It really leaves us vulnerable in terms of powering up the economy, and being able to educate our young people and those that are transitioning between jobs." The timing was "awkward" because just last Wednesday, Northland's biggest businesses made a presentation to Parliament about the region's potential to expand from an $11 billion-a-year economy to $60 billion by 2050. The same presentation explained Northland's current under-performance was due to long-term under-investment in infrastructure, a skills shortage and poor educational outcomes. Lyndon said the answer to the skills shortage was "industry-relevant, credible training options". She was pleased with the turnout of more than 100 people at the hui given the short notice. Lyndon planned to raise her concerns with NorthTec's interim leadership, as well as industry, hapū, iwi and councils. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds said the government was committed to helping NorthTec work towards long-term financial viability. "A committed group of community leaders are working alongside the government in Northland to ensure this happens. NorthTec is a valued polytechnic and will remain within Te Pūkenga over the next few months as it works with specialist advisors on a pathway toward viability, with decisions due in the first half of 2026." Simmonds said the government had set up a $20 million annual fund for the next two years to support "strategically important provision" in smaller, rural regions. Tutors and Tertiary Education Union reps Sharlene Nelson and Jim Hutchinson address a Save NorthTec Hui called at short notice last Friday. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf That would help ensure learners in regions such as Northland were not disadvantaged while the government worked through longer-term funding plans. As part of the new "blended learning" model, regional institutions would have autonomy to choose the right mix of online, work-based and in-person learning to meet local needs. Regarding NorthTec's current cuts, Simmonds said she was not privy to polytechnics' operational decisions. "However, I'd suggest it is important for NorthTec, as it is for all polytechnics, to be taking appropriate actions to ensure their overall viability and maintain their relationships with local industries and communities," she said. Simmonds said the government wanted to build a vocational education system that was "locally led, regionally responsive and financially sustainable, including for Northland". The three other regions where polytechnic survival is uncertain are Taranaki (Western Institute of Technology), Wellington (Whitireia Community Polytechnic and Wellington Institute of Technology) and the West Coast (Tai Poutini Polytechnic). NorthTec was founded as Northland Community College in 1978. Its main campus is in the Whangārei suburb of Raumanga but it has satellites in Kaitāia, Kerikeri, Ngāwhā and Auckland. The brand-new campus at Ngāwhā, just east of Kaikohe, only opened in 2023. The Rāwene campus closed in 2017 but the buildings remain in use as a community-run education hub. NorthTec has been contacted for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Simmonds ignored advice in Otago Polytech decision
Penny Simmonds went against early advice by allowing Southern Institute of Technology to stand alone and grouping Otago Polytechnic with a pair of North Island-based institutions, it can be revealed. Advice to the vocational education minister released under the Official Information Act showed the decision to not allow Otago Polytechnic to stand alone was made despite it being assessed as "financially viable" along with six other institutions. The advisers from a special vocational education working group gave Ms Simmonds the option of all seven viable institutions - including SIT and Otago Polytechnic standing alone - but recommended the pair be linked together as part of three regional groupings. Otago Polytechnic and SIT should also be grouped with the Open Polytechnic. Ms Simmonds went on to ignore that advice and linked Otago Polytechnic with Palmerston North-based Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Lower Hutt-based Open Polytechnic; and approved SIT, which she was formerly the chief executive of for 20 years, standing alone. Green MP Francisco Hernandez said the situation was a mess that benefited no-one in vocational education. "Advice shows that Otago Polytech was considered 'viable', even prior to the extensive and disruptive cuts that Otago was forced to undertake thanks to the lack of support." Mr Hernandez said Ms Simmonds must release the advice proactively "so we can examine the basis for the decision making". Otago Polytechnic executive director Dr Megan Pōtiki saw the advisory group's recommendations this week. "This only adds to our confusion about the decision announced last Monday. "In none of the four options shortlisted by the advisory group was Otago Polytechnic listed as a 'non-viable' entity. "We are deeply concerned that Otago Polytechnic has been unfairly singled out, in a decision which appears to have favoured some organisations for reasons other than financial viability." Dr Pōtiki said she was pleased the option of merging Otago Polytechnic and SIT was not adopted. "Both organisations have long and proud histories of providing quality tertiary education in our respective regions, but we have clear differences in our programme strengths and styles of operations. "However, we are still looking forward to a close and collaborative relationship with our closest neighbour going forward." Dr Pōtiki said Otago Polytechnic should be in surplus by the end of the year. "We are again asking the minister to release the criteria she used for making these decisions, and to clearly communicate why Otago Polytechnic was singled out to be moved out of the 'viable' category and included as part of a federation." Ms Simmonds said the debt and cash reserves of both SIT and Otago Polytechnic when they went into Te Pūkenga contributed to the decision. Otago Polytechnic had $16.1 million debt and $1.3 million in cash reserves, SIT had no debt and $40.1 million in cash reserves, of which $15.6 million were ring-fenced. "The paper you are referring to is an early piece of advice and there were several updates made. Otago Polytechnic is one of the 10 institutions being re-established and will stand alone within the new federation of polytechnics. "It was not grouped with SIT or the Open Polytechnic in a combined entity because the final decision adopted the proposed federation model rather than other options proposed during consultation."
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- RNZ News
Tertiary Education Union says sector's become a political football, slams Te Pūkenga disestablishment
Otago Polytechnic will be absorbed into the Open Polytechnic, a move the former is "deeply disappointed" by. Photo: Google Street View The Tertiary Education Union is calling the government's disestablishment of Te Pūkenga a "disaster for regional New Zealand". Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds joined Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday to announce 10 polytechnics were being re-established. The Southern Institute of Technology she was chief executive of for 23 years was one of them - as was Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, after Nelson mayor Nick Smith appealed for the government to keep it independent . He was delighted, saying the govenrment's announcement is "the best news for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough". "We are one of New Zealand's most geographically isolated regions, meaning that for many students who cannot relocate for financial or family reasons, NMIT is the only opportunity for them to upskill and gain a tertiary education," he said in a written statement. "There is now a big job ahead to rebuild NMIT. We look forward to the passage of the legislation and the appointment of a new polytechnic council. Key steps will be re-establishing links with local industry and redeveloping NMIT's international brand and market." Others were not so lucky. The Open Polytechnic will absorb Otago Polytechnic and UCOL, becoming a "federation" that offers online resources, an academic board and other services to those polytechs struggling with money. Otago Polytechnic executive director Megan Pōtiki said it was "deeply disappointed" to be included in the federation model. "Otago Polytechnic currently boasts one of the highest learner completion rates in the polytechnic sector, and we are concerned that the federation model would dilute this offering and impact our organisation's proud reputation and future success. The federation model risks undermining our learner success rates and the quality of teaching ... and ultimately risks undermining our independence and future viability as a regional institution." Minister Simmonds said polytechs in four other regions - Northland, Taranaki, Wellington, and the West Coast - were facing "unique challenges" and needed to show a path to financial viability within a year - or face being merged, or closed. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Tertiary Education Union national secretary Sandra Grey told RNZ the sector had been suffering for 20 years and had become a political football. She said the minister's announcement was just a return to a model that was failing. "This government has just exacerbated it ... leaving four out in the cold and saying 'you'll just have to do something radically different, like just do online learning then you'll be financially viable' - that's a pretty cruel thing to do to communities. "That doesn't work so well when what you're teaching is cookery, or carpentry. They're not easy to teach online." She said most of the four facing an uncertain future were in rural areas which did not have universities and depended on polytechnics to become a hub of learning and industry. The government's plan, she said, would only deepen the divide between rural and urban learning. The former Industry Training Organisations would be replaced with Industry Skills Boards, which would set standards for industry training, develop qualifications, and endorse the programmes that would lead to them. The minister said they would be supported with Quality Assurance to ensure consistency - saying industries would now have a bigger say. Grey, however, said the plan was problematic because it would require students to go to a temporary holding place for two years - and the government had halved the funding for it. "This government keeps claiming it's giving communities and industry a big say in their future and yet it's making all the decisions for them, taking away all the money from them. "They're not thinking about whether it's genuinely going to serve industry or genuinely serve community, I think they've been warned this is not going to work for anyone, they're just going to go ahead because they made a promise. They could renege on that promise, we'd be quite happy if they turned around. "What we've got to appreciate is these polytechnics are built up over five decades, two generations have put energy, time, taxpayer money into building their polytechnics. These belong to New Zealanders, these polytechnics - and this government is just running roughshod over communities and taking decisions for them and making it impossible to have good training in small communities. "The long-term cost of people missing out on education is poorer health outcomes for people - so more money spent on the health system - poor outcomes socially because people don't get jobs, and lost tax revenue because when people don't train they don't get jobs and they don't contribute to the tax take. "We all lose out when communities lose out and when students don't have courses, this is a disaster if we don't turn it around." Labour's leader Chris Hipkins was the education minister who launched Te Pūkenga, and acknowledged the merger faced difficulties but said the government was turning the system upside down. "Te Pūkenga took too long to get off the ground in my view, but they turned a surplus last year. I think to turn the whole system upside down all over again right at a time when we need to be increasing the number of people we're training is a bit crazy." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
