We are delighted to announce that our chief executive Paul Wilson has been awarded the prestigious Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand 2010 Fulton-Downer Gold Medal.

The medal has been awarded in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of education in engineering and reflects the commitment and passion Wilson has for the industry as well as the leadership roles he has taken to raise New Zealand engineering standards to an internationally recognised level.

Wilson says, “It is an honour to accept this award which is the highest accolade given by IPENZ, of which I am a very proud member.”

He attributes receiving the award to his enthusiasm for the industry. “I am very passionate about engineering and how it contributes to economic growth in New Zealand. We need engineering to support our country’s infrastructure programmes and unless we attract more students into engineering we are going to struggle to keep up with demand.”

Wilson says had it not been for the opportunities IPENZ had given him over the years then he would not be in a position to accept this award. “The role within IPENZ has given me great insight into New Zealand engineering standards and how they compare internationally. We have always had a high calibre of skilled engineers working in the industry, and contributing at an international level has confirmed that.”

In addition, he attributes fellow engineer and mentor Basil Wakelin to his success. Wakelin was awarded the Fulton Downer gold medal in 2007 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to tertiary education quality assurance systems.

IPENZ says the various national and international roles Paul has undertaken have demanded commitment as a volunteer far beyond the norm. “For his leadership and commitment to developing and maintaining engineering qualification standards, it is fitting that Paul Wilson be recognised with the Fulton-Downer Gold Medal, the 2010 President’s Award for public service.”

To read more (click here)
 

Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ), a division of TPP, opened our refitted premises in central Auckland last Friday with a blend of modern funky DJ music and Maori culture and history.

Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Education Dr Pita Sharples attended the event and, along with the chief executive of Tai Poutini Polytechnic.  They were greeted with a powhiri and kaumatua (elders) from Ngati Whatua o Orakei. MAINZ students provided waiata to support speakers. The new facilities include specialist rooms for the new Certificate in DJ and Electronic Music Production programme.

MAINZ Dean Harry Lyon says its new premises can now accommodate the growing number of its students seeking to undertake a music oriented career. Currently the institute attracts more than 350 students a year.

“Our programmes are bursting at the seams. This year most of our programmes had waiting lists and have exceeded target expectations,” Lyon says. “We have had excellent feedback from our students who love the improved facilities and are taking advantage of the new DJ Booths, classrooms, library, computer laboratory and reception area.”

Lyon says it has a longstanding relationship with Ngati Whatua o Orakei and it is fitting that they have collaborated over the tikanga (protocols) for the day. In the morning, before the minister arrived MAINZ and Ngati Whatua  welcomed representatives from Ngati Roro o Te Rangi in Rotorua, who have donated a toi (carving) in thanks for our Foundation and Music staff and students playing a vital role in raising over $16,000 to help rebuild a wharekai that burned down at their marae some years ago. The toi has been given pride of place in the new MAINZ reception.  Ngati Roro o Te Rangi formally handed the toi over in a dedication ceremony last Friday morning.

(Click here) to read Dr Sharples speech.

MAINZ staff continue to be active in the music industry with several noteworthy shows and events listed below:

• Tom Ludvigson provided the music for a documentary screened recently on TV One and participated in what is considered a world-first: a three-way live online jam using ultra-high speed broadband to facilitate the process. Tom was in a MAINZ Auckland Computer Lab, jamming with a musician in Chicago and one on stage at TEDx in Warsaw . The whole thing was videod, posted on the TED site, streamed live. It proved that remote collaboration by musicians in more than two locations is possible, even if the currently available technology is still leaving more questions than offering answers. To read more visit talmont.com/blog/
• Audio Tutor Roy Martyn performed with Chris Knox's band The Nothing at The Laneway Festival headlined by British band Echo and the Bunnymen. This was Chris's first public performance since his stroke and a television crew filmed rehearsals at MAINZ for a piece on network television.
• Recloose (DJ and Electronic Music Production Programme Coordinator, Matt Chicoine) closed the Sydney Festival Music in February, that featured Al Green, Grandmaster Flash, John Cale among others. More details visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2010/Music/
• Proco Josh Sorenson completed a series of successful show playing drums with Nathan Haines, has regular shows as drummer for King Kapisi, and with Alan Brown will be performing at the Tauranga and Christchurch jazz festivals, alongside acts like the Grammy Award winning Dr John and British B3 innovator Brian Auger.
• Foundation tutor Jean McAllister will also appearing at the Tauranga Jazz festival with The Jubilation Choir, lead by kiwi music icon Rick Bryant.
• Music Dept tutor Tony Waine and Dean Harry Lyon supported Glen Shorrock, singer with The Little River Band, at Mills Reef Vineyard over the Auckland Anniversary Weekend and Live Sound HOD Tony McMaster took care of their front of house sound.
• Harry along with music tutor Dave McArtney supported the legendary Tom Jones with Hello Sailor, once again with Tony McMaster controlling the sound and the band performed in Christchurch at the end of March.
• Marcus Winstanley is in demand as a front of house sound engineer and recent shows include The Verlaines when they appeared in Christchurch.
   

• Richard Hallum, Diploma Audio Programme Coordinator, MAINZ Christchurch, hosted a presentation by Mark Atherton, senior engineer for Dolby Laboratories in the USA, who spoke on the "Life and times of a Dolby design engineer, a whimsical look at an adventure in America"
• Tony McMaster hosted a Digidesign demonstration of Venue, the live sound platform for Pro Tools in the MAINZ Auckland Auditorium.
• The Media Club, new home to the Live Sound programme in Christchurch, is hosting the launch of a new music industry publication Tally Ho on 3 April, and will be running ‘sound check workshops’ for local high school bands to help them prepare for their Smokefree Rockquest performances.
• Christchurch Live Sound Programme Coordinator Marcus Winstanley and his students provided production for the Lyfe Festival, a youth orientated event sponsored by Christchurch City Council. The show was headlined by Rare Shot Blue that featured Diploma Audio Alumni Hideto Kobayashi.
• Dave Bishop, Music HOD and Music and Events Management Programme Coordinator, has had his class involved with a number of events so far this year, including the Laneway, Lantern, Pacifica and Grey Lynn festivals.
• The MAINZ Alumni and Friends Alumni Association (MAFA) held its first AGM in February and had family friendly BBQs on Sunday 28 March in Christchurch and Auckland so staff and alumni could catch up.
• See attached re Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Te Arawa and Dr Pita Sharples opening of new MAINZ facilities.

What is your background?
I grew up on the North Shore of Greymouth and stayed on this magnificent coast till the age of 16. Then I moved up to Gisborne to finish forms 6 & 7 (years 12 & 13).

I have lived and worked in Gisborne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Gold Coast, Indonesia and of course Greymouth. I’ve been at TPP now for almost 4 years.

What do you like most about your job?
The vibrant cross section of staff at TPP, the variety of my role and being able to showcase the range of amazing courses available at TPP to students across the South Island.

What is the most difficult/challenging part of your job?
Convincing people to move to Greymouth???

Favourite place to visit?
Any beach with offshore winds, hollow waves and uncrowded line ups.

Favourite sporting moment?
My own – making the NZ Bodyboarding team and competing at the Australasian Nationals in 2008.

Favourite music?
I come from a generation where ‘surf punk’ (no not the beach boys – try NOFX) was all the rage. So usually anything that’s fast and distorted with melody.

What do you like most about the Coast?
The people, the clean air, the amazing landscapes and all my attractive cousins.

Interests/hobbies?
Spending time with my 2 year old daughter, surfing/bodyboarding and playing guitar.