Latest news with #OtagoPolytechnic
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Capable NZ set to lose 20 jobs
Otago Polytechnic staff are feeling "like stunned mullets" after the institution cut 20 jobs from a ground-breaking department. Staff were informed of the decision on Thursday to cut the Capable NZ department from about 30FTEs to nine FTES and an additional head of college role, after a proposal was put forward in March. Despite staff fighting for more jobs to be kept, management at Otago Polytechnic agreed on a rate of job cuts very similar to the March proposal. A staff member, who did not wish to be named, said people were "like stunned mullets" when they heard the news. "We expected a bit of pain, but nothing of this level. "The staff will try to teach the material to a gold-standard level, but it becomes increasingly difficult with far less staff support." Capable NZ allows students to apply and start any time and complete the required work from anywhere in New Zealand. Qualifications earned through Capable NZ have the same value as those earned through normal Otago Polytechnic programmes, or other tertiary institutions. Capable NZ had at its height more than 500 students. This had dropped to about 270 last year. The polytechnic blamed the ongoing effects of Covid-19 and the fact it was a politically fraught environment. Otago Polytechnic deputy executive director Mark Cartwright said "despite the change in structure, it's important to emphasise there will be no cuts to existing programmes". "We believe Capable NZ provides an important and meaningful service to our community and are committed to its continued delivery. "The purpose of the change is to ensure we are operating in a financially sustainable way. "We will move the Capable NZ department and all of its programmes to sit under Te Maru Pumanawa (TMP), our College of Creative Practice and Enterprise." Former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker said this week's announcement of cutbacks to Capable NZ, "represents a real vote of no confidence" in the department. He said many of the problems could be traced back to the merging of the country's 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) into the mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga. "At the advent of Te Pukenga, Capable NZ was the largest school at Otago Polytechnic, with nationwide coverage and offering highly innovative and unique programmes. That was why it had so many staff. "So, clearly it's fallen on hard times. What I am aware of is that there was considerable neglect on the marketing and promotion front across many aspects of Te Pukenga. "I've got no doubts that Capable NZ would have suffered from that." Mr Ker said despite these barriers, he was confident Capable NZ could rise again if managed properly. "The Capable NZ approach, which is at the undergraduate level, is still highly innovative in a global context, let alone in a New Zealand context. "It offers access to degree-level qualifications for people in work. That is as cost-effective as you can get. "So it seems to me that any downturn could easily be counteracted by a well-planned and well-focused marketing and recruitment programme." Staff told the Otago Daily Times they were worried about the bulk of the programme's institutional memory disappearing. Tertiary Education Union assistant secretary Daniel Benson-Guiu said Capable NZ was unique to Otago Polytechnic in that it was neither an "on campus" course or a "work-based learning" course. "People flocked to it outside of the polytechnic's catchment area," Mr Benson-Guiu said. "A programme like this allows the polytechnic to have a more national focus, which is what's needed to ensure student numbers remain good." Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is due to make an announcement next month about which polytechnics will become autonomous and which ones remain in a "federation" model. Otago Polytechnic has frequently expressed a desire to become autonomous again. Mr Cartwright said Otago Polytechnic needed to "ensure the financial viability of our organisation to be able to stand alone". Asked about Mr Ker's comments about the job cuts being a "vote of no confidence" in Capable NZ, Mr Cartwright said "this difficult decision is in no way a reflection of the amazing work the team does, or the unique products they offer". "It is the result of steadily declining enrolments. The changes will ensure we are able to continue to provide these products and services in a financially viable way."
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Ending up at hospital ‘like destiny'
Being made a New Zealand citizen while dressed in indigenous Matigsalug clothing was one woman's way of saying she would "not forgot where I come from". Yesterday, Danelie Flores and her husband Retzy Cariaga were officially made New Zealand citizens during a ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall. The pair are both nurses and moved to Dunedin in 2019 due to Otago Polytechnic being the first tertiary institute in New Zealand to offer them both spots to complete a bridging plan so they could practise in New Zealand. "Luckily, we then both ended up in Dunedin Hospital — it's just like destiny," Ms Flores said. Since arriving in the city, the pair have welcomed two children, Raniel Cariaga and Daena Cariaga. Ms Flores said having the opportunity to wear the traditional clothing of her indigenous tribe back in the Philippines was "so special". "It's just good to wear this dress again after a long, long time," she said. Ms Flores was born and raised in the Matigsalug tribe in the Bukidnon provence in the Philippines. The land she was raised on was an "ancestral domain", which was land the indigenous Matigsalug people of the region had custodianship over. In the native language, Matigsalug meant "people along the Salug River" and they were called that as the people, ate, slept and lived along the river. "It's a very deep-rooted culture. We have our own practices and we are still able to preserve that culture." She said while her children were born in New Zealand, they were also Matigsalug and she would teach them their culture despite being so far away. "I am a Matigsalug, and that's why I'm wearing this dress today, just to say even though I am far away, I have not forgot where I come from," Ms Flores said. She hoped there would be more opportunities to dress up and share her culture with others. New citizens Ken Wabe Akut (Philippines); Ahmad Ghanem Al Ghanem (Syria); Maria Hani Al Helal (Syria); Mouhanad Hani Al Helal (Syria); Nagham Hani Al Helal (Syria); Hind Hani Al Helal (Syria); Ahmad Hani Al Helal (Syria); Ahmad Bassem Al Yassin (Syria); Mahdi Alihosseini (Iran); Luke Tom Anooj (New Zealand); Nivya Savy (India); Anooj Thazhatheppuram Thomas (India); Rezty Flores Cariaga (Philippines); Danelie Bernadez Flores (Philippines); Cassandra Leah Chapman (United Kingdom); Santosh Dahal (Nepal); Saffron Dahal (Nepal); Avery Isaac Ventayen Duro (Philippines); Craig William Ferguson (UK); Michelle Elizabeth Furter (South Africa); Ezechel Jhois Alconera Garcia (Philippines); Isbah Ul Mulk Ghauri (Pakistan); Muneera Ghauri (Pakistan); Fatima Haidari (Afghanistan); Freshta Shirzad (Afghanistan); Ali Sina Shirzad (Afghanistan); Hossein Shirzad (Afghanistan); Jeoffy Veracruz Hipolito (Philippines); Zoey Nozawa Hipolito (Philippines); Zyla Nozawa Hipolito (Philippines); Doris Nozawa Hipolito (Philippines); Zahoor Hussain (Pakistan); Josefina Bernardo Jackson (Philippines); Prasath Jayakaran (India); Leema Jaya Priya Prasath (India); Adrian Lemuel Prasath (India); Austin Nowell Prasath (New Zealand); Salomi Aradhana Prasath (New Zealand); Kiran Joseph (India); Rosemary Saju (India); Saju Varghese (India); Khai Ju Leong (Malaysia); Yuanhan Liu (China); Dexi Xiao (China); Philip Owen Lyndom (UK); Albert Christian Gambaloza Martillana (Philippines); Michael Stanley Massey (United States); Shiyama Mohamed (Sri Lanka); Amana Mohamed (Sri Lanka); Sumesh Mohanan (India); Neocris Loreto Moncada (Philippines); Fe Maville Monserate Noel (Philippines); Elvin Chuckie Valle Noel (Philippines); Wendy Joy Parkins (Australia); Christian Fraser Pearson (UK); Prathumwan Phanplee (Thailand); Sombat Phanplee (Thailand); Nipaporn Reid (Thailand); Tulagaese Sala (Samoa); Hope Angelica Sandall (England); Fatma Tekinkaya (Turkey); Rajeshkumar Meghjibhai Vatvisa (India); Clemens Heinrich Walgern (Germany); Yuen On Wan (Hong Kong (SAR)); Anna Angelica Alcantara Aguirre (Philippines); Raed Muhamad Al Jarkas Al Husein (Syria); Rami Mustafa Allo (Syria); Joannah Ann Aneesh (India); Jancy Aneesh Stephen (India); Aneesh Stephen (India); Htin Lin Aung (Myanmar); Khine Zar Tun (Myanmar); Aufar Bahri (Indonesia); Samikshya Baniya (Nepal); Lucy Andrea Beckmann Fuentes (Chile); Francisca Alejandra Millan Beckmann (Chile); Alonso Agustin Millan Beckmann (Chile); Gonzalo Andres Millan Mon toya (Chile); Joyce Antonette Bajandi Boardman (Philippines); Mark Gary Cameron (Australia); Beverly Diana Cobos Oviedo (Mexico); Omar Adrian Cota Haros (Mexico); Alaine Des Fountain (South Africa); Hamidollah Eidizadeh (Afghanistan); Mohammad Ali Eidizadeh (Iran); Soraya Eidizadeh (Iran); Jamil Eidizadeh (Iran); Somayeh Eidizadeh (Iran); Pari Khal Tajik (Afghanistan); Vito Gattuso (Italy); Joanne Louise Gattuso (UK); Simone Handwerk (Germany); Klaus Michel Herde (Germany); Christina Louise Hulbe (US); Timothy Scott Hulbe Pulver (US); Samuel Christoph Hulbe Pulver (US); Scott Mark Pulver (US); Danuda Damsara Wijeratne Jayawardena (Sri Lanka); Tracey Ann Jones (UK); Muhammed Thameem Ansari Kalakappara (New Zealand); Raseena Thasni Kalamthodi (India); Gaganpreet Kaur (India); Kirandeep Kaur (India); Wan-Ju Lee (Taiwan); Chun Shen Lim (Malaysia); Boon York Lim (Malaysia); Har Chai Ng (Malaysia); Ni Lu (China); Sharon Lynette Mackie (Australia); Leo Pik (Israel); Nimrod Pik (Israel); Merav Pik Keet (Israel); Nataliya Podgorodnichenko (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics); Khadem Hossain Rasoli (Afghanistan); Mitchel Tanner Ream (US); Sharon Denisha Rubendra (England); Louise Ann Shaw (UK); Ethan Taylor Shaw-Wood (UK); Chloe Louise Wood (UK); Shivangni Lata Singh (Fiji); Virender Singh (India); Emma Louise Stevenson (England); Sumanth Surendran (India); Sara Savannah Surendran Reveret (France); Jillian Tze Joon Tan (Malaysia); Francesca Traini (South Africa); Veniana Galo Vakadula (Fiji); Yusufujiang Yilifan (China); Elaine Gladys Isabella Young (UK); James Alan Young (UK); Sander Paul Zwanenburg (Netherlands). • The ODT agreed not to name one other person who gained citizenship yesterday.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Milestone celebrated with smoko
Hard as nails and no nonsense. Graham Burgess is a colourful character who has built quite a reputation during his 50 years working in the carpentry department at Otago Polytechnic. The 74-year-old is believed to be the first staff member to reach half a century of service, and the milestone was officially celebrated yesterday when staff knocked off for an hour-long smoko. The gathering included carpentry division colleagues, representatives from community and business partners, and the polytechnic's senior leadership team who presented him with a 50 years' service pin and a certificate to acknowledge the milestone. Mr Burgess did his training at Otago Polytechnic before becoming an apprentice carpenter, and then a foreman for a construction company. While construction was a rewarding job, he felt he had more to give. So, he began lecturing carpentry at the polytechnic in 1975, when it was still based in the King Edward Technical College and in Andersons Bay Rd. The programme later moved to the new campus in Anzac Ave. During his time there, he has had many roles, including carpentry programme manager and Dunedin Carpentry team learning leader. "I had skills that I could pass on to others. I think I just wanted to try and help people. "It is rewarding to stand back and look at a finished construction project, but seeing the students that you've taught to make those kinds of things, is even more rewarding." A lot had changed over the years — not only with the introduction of modern health and safety regulations, but the students themselves. "When I first started here, probably about 85% of our students had some building experience — whether it be building a trolley car or a tree hut. "But in today's world, we're probably lucky if 10% of the students actually have much in the way of building experience. "The one thing both generations still have is a passion for building." One of his most challenging projects during his career was building a device to catch the large Jaffas that rolled down the world's steepest street for the Baldwin St Jaffa Race. He said the project took much longer than expected. "We had a ramp set up with some Jaffas to roll down, so we could test it. "But the students kept eating the test product." More recently, he has taken over the role of housing projects co-ordinator within the College of Engineering, Construction and Living Sciences. It includes overseeing the construction of the annual Otago Polytechnic Charity House which is auctioned off to raise money for charities throughout Otago. Mr Burgess is well-known for being hard as nails for a good reason. For 45 years, he worked without taking a sick day. "I had one day off, just after the 45 years, and it was because I broke a finger. "It got crushed a wee bit between some trusses. It's all right now. "I went back to work the next day." He had taken some more sick days in recent years, due to some ill health and his "growing maturity", but he still has no plans to retire. He continues to work part-time at the polytechnic because he would miss the smell of woodchips and "the contact with people". He said yesterday's recognition was both "a bit embarrassing" but also humbling.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin Midwinter Carnival 2025
One of our city's most iconic community events, the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, is lighting the way not just with lanterns, but with meaningful partnerships that bring together conservation, art, and education. Through a series of collaborations, the Carnival is deepening its community connections and expanding the impact of its creative work across Ōtepoti/Dunedin. Nocturnal Forest Lantern Experience: A Magical Fusion of Art and Nature Earlier this year in April, during the Wild Dunedin Festival of Nature, we saw this in action when a newly formed partnership between Orokonui Ecosanctuary and The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival bought you the Orokonui Manu Huru - Nocturnal Forest Lantern Experience. The fundraising event, a collaboration between the two organisations merging conservation and art, was a guided evening walk through Orokonui's native forest which was brought to life by more than fifty thoughtfully curated lanterns celebrating Aotearoa's native wildlife. 'We were blessed with the light of the almost full moon as audiences were guided through the bush accompanied by the sounds of taoka pūoro, catching glimpses of Takahē, Kākā and of course our lanterns. We chose lanterns to highlight the natural fauna of the ecosanctuary, such as; Mokomoko/Lizard, Kōkō/Tui plus we had few special surprises such as our cheeky Moa, and the fearsome Pouākai/Haast Eagle.' Says Xanthe Naylor Duneidn Midwinter Carnival Event Manager. The experience was enhanced by the accompanying soundtrack; a specially composed soundscape by Madison Kelly (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Pākehā), lead guide at Orokonui. Using taoka pūoro, Madison created a sonic journey through dusk, night, and dawn at Orokonui evoking the flight of manu/birds like Kākā, Tokoeka, and Ruru, as well as the spiritual echoes of extinct species such as Moa. Live taoka pūoro performances by Madison and whānau from Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Moewai Marsh, and Miriama Parata, added depth and mana to the event. The event not only captivated audiences but also raised vital funds for both organisations, exemplifying the beauty and benefit of community-led collaboration. 'The opportunity to collaborate with the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival has been fantastic for us. As two not-for-profit community-driven organisations, we have a lot in common, and the Manu Huru event has allowed us to utilise our respective strengths to pull together a really magical event celebrating wildlife, arts, and culture. We're super excited by how this partnership can grow into the future providing exciting experiences to introduce new people to both the sanctuary and the Carnival.' Says Amanda Symon General Manager Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Growing Creative Futures with Otago Polytechnic The Midwinter Carnival was excited to continue, and evolve, their valued partnership with Otago Polytechnic's School of Art, Design and Architecture. 'We were thrilled to once again partner with the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, our second collaboration, and this time, it's bigger and better than ever.' Says Denise Narciso Principal Lecturer Projects and Internships Coordinator. The Midwinter Carnival team has been working alongside lecturers and 30 students on real-world creative projects. Students developed pitches across areas such as projection design, branding, interactive installations, and social media strategy. Several proposals were selected, and moved into production. This opportunity has given students valuable hands-on experience in client communication, research, idea development and collaboration; learning to diversify their design approaches, enhancing existing skills, and discovering new tools and techniques. 'The classroom becomes a dynamic studio environment that mirrors industry practices, where critique, teamwork, meetings, and presentations are part of the daily routine. We're now in the production phase, and there's a real buzz as the final designs start to take shape. We can't wait to see it all come together!' says Denise Narciso. Through this collaboration the community can expect to see some exciting new additions to this year's Midwinter Carnival. Creative Connections with Tūhura Otago Museum This year has also seen a new development in regards to the lantern making workshops. The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival has joined forces with Tūhura - Otago Museum and launched an adult lantern-making workshop as part of their Wine and Design series. These adult workshops will coincide with the Meridian Mall community lantern workshops and will be held this May 27 and 28 at Tūhura - Otago Museum. These after-hours sessions offer participants a chance to engage creatively with more intricate lantern designs, in a more relaxed environment, tickets also include a glass of wine and canapés. 'We are super excited to host these epic workshops! Tūhura is so lucky to be able to collaborate with such amazing local events and help showcase the mahi that goes into them.' Says Jessica Hatfield Senior Events Coordinator at Tūhura Otago Museum. Through these collaborations, the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival is fostering strong connections between artists, educators, conservationists, and learners; while continuing to inspire awe through light, creativity, and shared celebration. Be a part of the magic this June 27 and 28, as First Church and surrounding grounds are transformed into a luminous celebration of light with the theme Wings of Wonder . Enjoy the warmth of community and fly into the winter night, where wonder knows no bounds and shimmering lanterns take flight - from native birds of Aotearoa and mythical creatures that soar through the sky, to the graceful wings of butterflies. Let your imagination take wing as you weave through stunning lantern displays, interactive installations, and awe-inspiring performances. Event, pay-it-forward, and workshop tickets are all available now via ENDS
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Unfinished business for Renaud
Gymnastics has always been part of Max Renaud's DNA. But after 10 years in the sport, Renaud decided it was time to walk away and retired from the sport he loved. An underlying feeling of unfinished business led Renaud back to the mat at the end of 2022 and now he is in line for his biggest competition yet. Renaud has been selected as part of the men's artistic gymnastics team representing New Zealand at the FISU world university games in Germany in July. The Otago Polytechnic student is part of a five-strong men's team competing in Rhine-Ruhr and is the only polytechnic, and South Island, representative among the team. "To make it back to an international level after a three-year retirement post-high school is an absolute dream come true," Renaud said. Renaud, 22, took up gymnastics when he was 7 back home in Christchurch where he trained at the Christchurch School of Gymnastics. He competed throughout New Zealand, and later overseas in Texas and at Australian nationals, before deciding to retire when he finished secondary school at 17. He then made the trip south to Dunedin to study, graduating with a bachelor of culinary arts from polytech in 2022. He is currently studying towards his honours in design. It was in Dunedin where Renaud decided to make a return to the mat. "I missed it, first of all. "I've been doing the sports since I was 7. "Second, I had some regrets. "I didn't do some of the skills I wanted to, I didn't maybe achieve what I wanted to in certain areas, so I thought to come back with a better mindset, and have a healthy outlook on it, the sport-life balance, would be good for me — and it has been." He acknowledged it was tough being an international-level gymnast in Dunedin, but the Dunedin Gymnastics Academy had been very supportive. He spent 20 hours a week training across the six artistic apparatus and will review over the next two months what he competes in in Germany — in between his studies. So what has kept him in the sport this time? "A bit of it is I don't know anything else. "It really is a love for this kind of sport. It builds character, it's [taught] me who I am ... it's really, really developmental." While there may have been a time Renaud was unsure he would ever return as an athlete, he was never far from the sport. Renaud became a judge while at secondary school and now holds the highest qualification for a judge in New Zealand with ambitions to reach an international level in the future. "I've always been super keen on it. "My old coach was always saying you do one — coaching or judging. "I picked judging and I haven't looked back."
