The New Zealand Outdoor Instructors “Emerging Instructor of the Year” award recognises someone who has demonstrated enthusiasm, passion for the outdoors and excellence in instructional skills and techniques. The Emerging Instructor seeks to achieve relevant industry qualifications and continues to personally challenge themselves in their own adventures.

This year’s recipient is Jye Mitchell, who graduated from TPP's Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Guiding in 2007.

Jye said "I had some fantastic support from the Tai Poutini staff, in particular Dave Ritchie, Jo Parson and Grover Worsfold. Whilst they're now considered my peers I still see them as role models and mentors. "

Programme Co-ordinator, Dave Ritchie, commented “Jye came to us a complete rockie in the outdoors, but brought athletic talent, enthusiasm, empathy and most importantly, self discipline and a clear sense of purpose to his studies. It was clear that he would excel as a leader.”

TPP Chief Executive, Paul Wilson, said “This award recognises an outstanding student who is an excellent role model for the profession. He has the knowledge and skills, and sets incredibly high standards. This award is very well deserved and reflects the high quality learning opportunities offered by the TPP Outdoor Education Department.”

Jye is currently contracting himself out to high schools, outdoor pursuit trusts, and other organisations in the Canterbury area. 

At its meeting on Tuesday 8th December, the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Council approved the purchase of the Buller High School’s Community Education and Training Centre (CETC).

CETC has successfully operated Youth and Training Opportunities (ToPs) programmes to serve the Westport and wider Buller region community needs for a number of years. Over the past three years CETC and Tai Poutini Polytechnic have shared facilities at a common community learning space in Westport.

The purchase of the CETC will enable TPP to continue to develop the Youth and ToPs training programmes in Westport and to provide further pathways for students into higher levels of tertiary training. The implementation of high definition video conferencing facilities in Westport in early 2010 will further increase the breadth and depth of courses available to the Buller community over time and as demand requires.

Chief Executive, Paul Wilson, said “the purchase of the CETC and associated transfer of training programmes to TPP will ensure that high quality tertiary education can be supported in Westport to meet the needs of the Buller community. It will enable TPP to increase the range of programmes being offered and will assist in increasing the brand recognition of the West Coasts only fully local Tertiary Education Organisation. TPP looks forward to continuing to grow our relationship with the Westport and wider Buller community”.

Blu Marqueses walked away from his graduation ceremony at Tai Poutini Polytechnic last week with more than a Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism.

The 20 year-old student is this year’s recipient of The Fletcher Challenge Trust Award, which can be used to defray expenses incurred next year when he returns to Tai Poutini for the Hospitality Supervision programme.

Roderick Turner, Tai Poutini’s Head of Department - Service Industries, says Marqueses exemplifies everything he expects from a hospitality student.  "Not only has Blu achieved competency in the unit standards he has been assessed on, he has demonstrated that elusive hospitable ‘attitude’ so necessary for the industry.”

“I congratulate Blu and look forward to his continued dedication to the Polytechnic and the hospitality industry.”

At the Certificate in Outdoor Recreation Graduation Ceremony, the “Cave Creek Student Excellence Award” was presently jointly to 19-year-old Amy Tipling and 27-year-old Joe Dawson. Amy and Joe were each presented with a $2,000 cheque after being recognised for excelling in practical pursuit assessments and producing high quality written work consistently throughout the year.

The Excellence Award is intended to recognise outdoor recreation students who have consistently excelled during the academic year and have gone beyond the required standards.

Outdoor Recreation Programme Co-ordinator, Dave Ritchie, said “It was impossible to split Amy and Joe during the nominations process. They both demonstrated an ability to lead by example and to galvanise others into action. The year’s group openly acknowledged them as joint emergent leaders and as a tutor you noticed that when either of them were involved, things ran smoothly.”

In October, Chris Schraders, Acting Head of Department for the Department of Emergency Management (EMANZ) travelled to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland in order to take part in a course development focus group. The focus group’s goal was to determine the structure and content of a new online course that FEMA is developing. The focus group was comprised of 10-15 other emergency management practitioners and academics.

Although there were only two members of the focus group who were not US citizens, the international message came through loud and clear. “I was very pleased that in the end we all agreed that the “Principles of Emergency Management” course should be truly international and will draw on examples from all parts of the globe rather than focusing on how things are done in a particular country” explains Chris. “We also gave some clear instructions about the content of the course and its structure, but for me the biggest reason for taking part was to push the international agenda and it seems this has been accepted.”

Chris’ travel was paid for by FEMA with support from TPP.

L&G students are spreading the word with young up and coming 'Outdoor Reccers' with their client days.  Student led day trips included: rock climbing, sea kayaking and rafting, as well as ‘camps’ teaching whitewater kayaking, mountain craft and leadership.

"Students have been practicing teaching each other in preparation for the real thing," says Jo Parsons, Leadership & Guiding Programme Co-ordinator.

"This year our Leadership and Guiding students worked with over 250 clients from 14 different schools and organisations – over a total of 611 client days!"

Many of our current students (and even a current instructor!) were introduced to TPP's Outdoor Recreation Programme through client days.

“We value any opportunity to go out with TPP’s Outdoor Rec crew whether it’s white water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing or the best yet … get to walk on the beautiful Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The student instructors are easy going, down to earth professionals who incorporate hands on learning with fun that makes for lasting good memories. Thanks guys, look forward to the next outing!”  Lisa Mellish – Mawhera Academy.

Saturday 17 October saw emergency management staff and volunteers from around New Zealand flock to Palmerston North for the third annual Tai Poutini Emergency Management Graduation. The graduation ceremony was officially opened by the Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon. John Carter. During the formalities 39 Certificates in Emergency Management were presented: 36 Level 2 Certificates and three Level 4 Certificates.

In addition to the conferment of qualifications, the graduation ceremony is also a time to recognise those people who go above and beyond the duties of their role to make courses run efficiently and to assist other students, this is done by presenting a series of EMANZ Awards. This year two EMANZ Awards were presented: the Student of the Year Award and the Training Coordinator of the Year Award.

Desiree Paulsen from Taranaki CDEM Group was presented the Student of the Year for her excellent behaviour during courses and the very high quality of her submitted work. The Training Coordinator of the Year Award was presented to Ghislaine Cousins from New Zealand Pharmaceuticals for her superb efforts in coordinating an emergency response training programme for her workplace. Congratulations to Des and Laine!

Jos Wellman, Chef Tutor, recently appeared on TV1's Breakfast Show and cooked some delicious fresh West Coast whitebait for Tamati Coffey, Breakfast Weather Presenter.

"Tamati was not so keen to try the Huhu grubs so I volunteered to for him," said Roderick Turner, Service Industries HOD; who washed them down with a cup of McDonalds Coffee.

David Mason, Te Takawaenga - Kohinga Matauranga (Maori Development & Support Officer), presented Tamati with a Koha (gift) on behalf of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.  "Tamati was very appreciative of his pounamu pendant which was carved by one of our Jade and Hard Stone Carving programme graduates."

To watch the cross overs to Greymouth check out TV on demand (click here)

TPP’s Culinary Arts Tutor, Jos Wellsman recently demonstrated how to create chocolate and caramel decorative pieces for cakes, to a group of Year 10 students from John Paul II High School in Greymouth.  TPP Liaison Co-ordinator, Jolan Kilkelly said "The demonstration was well received by the students.  The delicious chocolate gateau that Jos made at the end of his demo was a big hit."

"The students were totally receptive and enjoyed the experience."

"It was really good to have Jos come and give us a demo. The speed and efficiency impressed me in the way he worked." (JPII Student Comment)

75 Pike River Coal employees recently graduated with a Certificate in Introductory Mining Skills (Underground Extraction).

As part of a three week induction programme, all new employees at Pike River Coal receive training and assessment through TPP in the Level 2, 28 credit Short Award. The Award comprises eight unit standards which cover the workplace health and safety requirements of working in an underground mine, including suppressing fire with hand extinguishers and fixed hose reels, first aid in emergency situations, knowledge of the Mines Rescue Service, managing the effects of shift work and lifting and moving loads at an extractive site.

“Employees need to be able to demonstrate they have the knowledge and ability required to work in an underground mine, to ensure everyone goes home safely at night,” says Tai Poutini’s Head of Department – Mining, Peter Fairhall.

He describes Pike River Coal “absolutely committed” to training. “They’re one of the most proactive employers around in terms of training, all the way from entry level through to managerial level.”

The Polytechnic has worked closely with Pike River Coal to put together a training package to suit the needs of all their employees. “Most of the graduates will go on to do further unit standards with us,” says Fairhall.

American business magnate Donald Trump is a great believer in – and a walking example of – doing what you enjoy to create success in life.

It’s a message the Director of MAINZ, Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand, Harry Lyon, is keen to get across to young New Zealanders. “There is growing evidence that suggests people who follow their dreams have greater career satisfaction and show up very favourably in terms of financial success,” he says.

Lyon has spoken out against recent comment in the press that has criticised students studying something solely because they enjoy it.

To read more (click here)

Graduates from MAINZ featured prominently at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, taking away a number of highly sought-after Tuis.

“MAINZ graduates are increasingly making their mark in the industry and their success last week is further evidence of this,” says MAINZ director Harry Lyon.

Amongst the ex-MAINZ students who took away Tuis were three members of Midnight Youth, who won the Steinlager Pure Best Group Award and the PPNZ Best Rock Album. Midnight Youth were also nominated as finalists for the Vodafone Album of the Year, Vodafone Single of the Year and Pacific Blue Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Gin Wigmore, who guested with Smashproof on Brother - the highest-selling New Zealand single of the year - studied performance and song-writing at MAINZ. Smashproof featuring Gin Wigmore also took away the People’s Choice Award and the C4 Best Music Video and the band were finalists in the Vodafone Single of the Year, the Pacific Blue Breakthrough Album of the Year and the 42Below Best Urban/Hip Hop Album.

Also on the winners’ list was Joel Little, co-writer and label owner of Kids of 88, finalists in the Vodafone Single of the Year.

Current MAINZ students watched their predecessors receive their awards from behind the scenes where they were helping out on various aspects of the show, including providing backstage hospitality for artists and presenters, assisting the live show stage management, sound and lighting and the outside broadcast for the television show.

Andy Dowding from J & A Productions, who project-managed the event with Justine McKay, says he was impressed with all the MAINZ students involved in the Awards.  “They were all fantastic to have around, had great attitudes and handled the pressure extremely well. They were a real asset to the whole process."

MAINZ was a sponsor of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, with naming rights to the MAINZ Engineer of the Year and the MAINZ Producer of the Year awards.

The Staff at TPP would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.