The New Zealand Drilling Federation has announced Dion Moke of Whakatane as the recipient of the inaugural NZDF scholarship, which is presented to the best all-round student on Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Driller’s Assistant training programme.

In 2010 Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) established the programme at the request of the drilling industry. The brief was to provide training which included practical hands-on skills with the aim of the students gaining qualifications which would encourage them to look at the challenging and widely recognised drilling industry for employment.

The New Zealand Drilling Federation in support of TPP’s initiative, announced a scholarship available for the best all-round student from each intake. The 20 week programme offers a demanding range of skills and and licences. These include drilling rig and small plant maintenance; welding and gas cutting; working at heights; first aid and emergency care; Environment, Health and Safety; lifting and moving loads; Wheels Tracks and Rollers; Forklift and Heavy Traffic licences.

Dion impressed the tutors at the Greymouth campus with his maturity, focus and ability to learn quickly, and then went on to excel in his work based training. He began his work-based training with Horizon Drilling on New Zealand’s largest truck mounted rig which is undertaking coal bed methane gas exploration at Dobson. Dion experienced coal exploration in the Buller Region with Helidrill Ltd and was then employed by Westmere Drilling to gain knowledge of the water well industry.

“Being part of the very first practical drilling programme ever to be taught here in New Zealand has been an exciting journey. I realise I have been fortunate and privileged to be part of history by becoming one of the first group of drilling students, and to set an example for others to follow. Personally I found the tutors very helpful as they taught in a way we could learn and feel comfortable. What I learnt at TPP I now apply in my every day job. I certainly recommend the TPP course to anyone looking for a new career or simply a career change. It’s an exciting challenge," said Dion Moke.

For Dion, the NZDF scholarship is not about the $2,000 but the mana that goes with being selected as the best all round student on the inaugural TPP drilling programme.

Dion has returned to the North Island and is currently employed with Boart Longyear in Auckland. He will move to Rotorua to begin work on their Geothermal rig in late July.

The next drilling programme begins on 2 August in Greymouth and the first programme for 2011 begins on 31 January.  For more info click here

 Photo: Dion Moke

Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) Hospitality student Ann Patterson has won the Southern Light Salon Waiter of the year at the Regional Hospitality Competitions held in Cromwell over the 3 - 4 July.

Ann, who came second the same event last year because she was hampered by a cold, says, was determined to return and win first prize this year.

Ann puts her fine performance down to her “continued industry experience and the support and guidance from my Tutor Roderick Turner”.

Ann is currently employed in Buccleugh’s Restaurant at Greymouth’s Recreation Hotel.

Students at the awards completed a range of hospitality activities including barista skills, cocktail making, table setting and beverage service. Competitors start with 100 points and have points deducted if they do not meet industry standards. They are able to gain medals by minimising the points they have deducted. For example a gold medal is obtained by gaining over 90 points. Criteria is based on skill, appearance and customer service.

Seven other TPP students competing in Cromwell won a combined total of 22 medals. Both Ann and TPP student president Blu Marqueses won gold medals in the wine and beverage service and Ann gained gold in the barista competition.

First year hospitality students Ron Bell, Kathrine Scott, Ben Price, Zara Wallace, Nicole Smith and Yin (Tim) Laing won a wide range of silver and bronze medals in the various competitions.

Tourism and Hospitality tutor John Kennedy says, “I am really pleased and proud of the student’s performance. The majority of students competing have only been on the programme for two and a half months so getting them up to medal standard has been a great achievement.”

"A highlight of the competition was the freestyle cocktail competition and the themed table setting. Ann’s Mexican and Blu’s Thai Table setting were both colourful and original, gaining significant praise from judges."

It is still possible to enrol in Hospitality training this year at TPP with the Cafe Skills programme being offered in Westport on 9 August and Greymouth starting 23 August. This 11 week programme gives a good introduction to the skills needed to work in the vibrant cafe industry, coupled with some work experience to get that invaluable workplace familiarity.

Photo: from left Ann Patterson, Andrea Gibson (HSI) and Blu Marqueses

TPP has invested $3.9Million from Supporting Change Funding that finishes in 2010 to deliver three key projects:

1. Building new learning spaces to ensure that we have the best possible facilities for Coast wide educational delivery based in Greymouth. Those new facilities are due for completion in late July and soon after we will invite the community in for a look through.
2. Installing new high definition video conferencing to ensure that we can deliver a wider range of courses and programmes, including some from other Polytechnics, in the most effective way across the wider West Coast community. Look out soon for new learning opportunities in the business administration and management areas coming to a Tai Poutini Polytechnic campus near you.
3. Improving the design of our programmes and courses offered on the West Coast and nationally to ensure that we can deliver them
   in the most effective way to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for our learners. This will see some common teaching
   in programmes such as our outdoor recreation offerings.

TPP CE, Paul Wilson said "The investment being made by the TEC in this supporting change funding for Tai Poutini Polytechnic will start the change of delivery and educational culture that we must make if we are to remain financially viable and improve our educational performance indicators soon due for publication. It is, by any measure, a sign of faith in our future from the TEC."

Tai Poutini Polytechnic and the West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society (Shantytown) recently awarded its first Shantytown Steam School - Steam Locomotive Restoration Award at the Federation of Rail Organisation of New Zealand (FRONZ) Conference in Palmerston North.

The inaugural Steam School Steam 2010 Award winner was Motat’s L 507 and the MOTAT rail section. Congratulations to the MOTAT rail section volunteers and their many unseen helpers who make heritage steam happen.

The Award comes with a Trophy and a $2,000 grant donated jointly by The West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society (Shantytown) & Tai Poutini Polytechnic to be used for further Locomotive Restoration and/or Mechanical Upgrades.

2011 FRONZ Conference will be held in Greymouth.  For more information visit FRONZ

Photo: from left Jim Savage (MOTAT Rail Section), Ian Tibbles (Shantytown/TPP) and Graham Anderson (MOTAT Rail Section).

The Ecotourism NZ Conference is the biggest event of the year for nature-based tourism in New Zealand. It is recognised for bringing like-minded people together in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality and is a chance to celebrate the success of our industry, share ideas, discuss latest issues and explore new opportunities. It is also a way of influencing the direction of nature-based tourism, ensuring it is not only successful, but also evolves in a way we are happy with.

This year we will be gathering in Rotorua - a region that embraces and celebrates its culture and heritage and a place where communities and businesses are working together to improve and enhance their natural environment. There is a lot to learn from Rotorua. The conference offers an invaluable opportunity to get behind the scenes and find out what makes it so successful.

This year's conference is proudly co-hosted by Tai Poutini Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology. It will be the first time the event is held outside the South Island and we are looking forward to sharing it with our North Island counterparts.

Highlights of Ecotourism NZ Conference 2010 include: field trips, small group workshops, social events, entertainment, in-depth discussion and debate.

For more information or to register visit EcotourismNZ

TPP hospitality students joined in the 150th West Coast Anniversary celebrations at the Brunner Mine Site on Saturday 15 May.  TPP students had a stall where they demonstrated their espresso coffee making skills and sold coffee to raise funds towards their trip to compete in the Southern Light Salon Culinaire competition.

Service Industries Head of Department, Roderick Turner said "The students did a tremendous job despite the chill factor.  They also took the opportunity to rub shoulders with the Minister for Conservation the Hon Kate Wilkinson, Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn and MP Chris Aushinvole."

What is your background?
I have been involved in the emergency management industry for over 10 years, as Civil Defence volunteer, Volunteer Ambulance Officer and in paid roles in emergency management including roles in emergency management education for the past six years.

What do you like most about your job?
The opportunity to work with a team of enthusiastic, talented and committed colleagues in my Department and throughout TPP.

What is the most difficult/challenging part of your job?
Trying to get people to understand what our Department does, how we do it, how we can support other people in TPP.

Favourite place to visit?
Te Anau.

Favourite sporting moment?
Lead climbing a grade 23 at Castle Rock, Wharepapa (many, many years ago).

Favourite music?
At the moment, I’m excited about going to the Bon Jovi concert at the end of the year, but I tend to like most genres.

What do you like most about the Coast?
That everyone is so friendly and helpful. The scenery isn’t half bad either.

Interests/hobbies?
I enjoy Geocaching, rock climbing, ballroom dancing, playing Rock Band (a good substitute for being a member of a band when you lack any musical talent). I am also very interested in all aspects of aviation and have been learning to fly fixed wing aircraft for many years now.

Photo: Chris Schraders