Location Creates Educational Hub

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Joint media release by NorthTec and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Co-Location Creates Educational Hub

NorthTec and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa join forces to improve educational opportunities in Northland

A co-location and educational partnership has been formed between Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (TWoA) and NorthTec to enhance students’ participation in tertiary education in the region. The partnership offers a new approach to the ongoing educational needs for Te Tai Tokerau.

From 1 August, TWoA will be delivering educational programmes from NorthTec’s Raumanga campus in Whangarei. The two organizations will use their individual strengths to work together to provide students with stair casing opportunities across the institutions.

The partnership signals the importance of the relationship in achieving the shared goals of both tertiary institutions. This has the potential to improve access to relevant, quality tertiary education programmes and services and contribute to the social, economic and cultural transformation of the region.

NorthTec Chief Executive, Paul Binney, said that his institution encourages Northlanders to improve their skills and employment prospects through tertiary education, and that the partnership with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa will help make this happen.

“Together, both institutions will combine our efforts to expand education for people in the North,” he said. “NorthTec will work with TWoA to continue to provide relevant, accessible and innovative tertiary education in the region.

“We will make sure that the region’s young people have options for progression in education that will prepare them for greater opportunities in terms of work and for their own long term economic well-being,” Mr Binney said.

TWoA Chief Executive, Bentham Ohia, said he was excited by the opportunity to work alongside NorthTec to enhance opportunities for the people of the region.

“This is a positive development which looks to maximize the strengths of both institutions to support the educational aspirations of Te Tai Tokerau.”

TWoA will provide its range of courses, from certificate level initially, which will be expanded to include its diploma and degree by 2013 at a new purpose-built facility on the upper part of the Raumanga campus, formerly home to the NorthTec Arts Faculty.

“The move provides an opportunity for greater collaboration and sharing of resources, as well as enhancing the tertiary study options for students,” Mr Ohia said.

The concept of TWoA and NorthTec working together in Whangarei was first mooted back in 2009, as a means to optimize the delivery of educational programmes for Northland.

This agreement follows on from a Memorandum of Understanding with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi signed in 2009 with NorthTec to enable students to staircase into postgraduate study.

A formal signing of the lease and a Memorandum of Understanding with TWoA will take place today at NorthTec’s Marae just before midday following a powhiri. Earlier in the day, there will be an assembly and karakia (prayer) led by NorthTec Kaumatua, Hohepa Rudolph, at TWoA’s newly refurbished premises on the upper part of Raumanga campus.

Background on TWoA

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is the country’s second largest tertiary education provider and will this year enrol more than 35,000 students throughout the country.

It is an innovative tertiary education provider, delivering a range of educational offerings from certificate to degree, in programmes including computing, teaching, Te reo Maori, trades training, business and social services.

What it provides is an educational environment and offerings guided by Maori principles and values for all New Zealanders. Operating from more than 120 locations, we employ more than 1400 full time staff.

TWoA is an institution that embraces a philosophy of working collaboratively with like-minded organisations to enhance the educational and training opportunities of the people of New Zealand.

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