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Earlier this month, the Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Education and the Hon Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education officially opened MIT’s School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies.

Following entertainment from a Kapa Haka group, a vigorous haka performance by the school’s students, and some words of welcome from MIT staff including Dr Peter Brothers and Dr Stuart Middleton, both Ministers praised MIT and all those involved in helping to bring the new school to fruition. The Ministers then unveiled a commemorative plaque, marking our dedicated new School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies teaching facility, located at Gate 11a, Otara Road, officially open.

“It was a significant day for all those who have helped to make the School of Secondary-Tertiary Studies dream a reality,” said Dr Stuart

Middleton, MIT Director of External Relations and architect of the new school.

“It gave us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our modern teaching facilities to so many important stakeholders and their feedback is very encouraging,” he added.

Following the official proceedings, the guests, including the students and their families, Mayor Len Brown, Manukau City Councillors and staff, Principals and representatives from Counties Manukau secondary schools, representatives of government, officials, the Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Education and other supporters from the local community, were given an opportunity to tour the new school facilities.

News and events from around campus T R A N SFrom the EditorWe have now officially entered winter and the shortest day of the year is just around the corner. However, the dark and cold has failed to keep us from coming out over the past month as we have had a multitude of events to celebrate.

The highlights of the month are without doubt the celebrations surrounding Graduation this year from MIT milestones to individual success stories with a sprinkling of celebrity thrown in the mix.

The official opening of the Tertiary High School facility was a significant day where students and their families, Government ministers and other dignitaries were given an opportunity to tour the new school facilities.

From Graduation ceremonies to weddings and salon pampering this month’s TransMIT is a photo collage of celebration.

All the best from the team at TransMIT

Tertiary High School Officially Opened


Manukau Institute of Technology Caps its First Doctoral GraduatesGraduation Week at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) is the time of year where the diligent efforts and achievements of all MIT students are honoured.Graduation 2010 marked an auspicious occasion for the Institute celebrating the first two doctoral graduates to come out of MIT in amongst a graduating total of 1091.

Graduates, their friends and families gathered at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre to honour the successful students and celebrated their achievements together at a series of celebration dinners throughout Graduation Week.

The annual Pasifika Graduation Celebration Dinner marked a milestone achievement celebrating the highest number of Pasifika graduates at degree level and above.

Some of the highlights were the capping of DBA graduate, Dr Bruce Bryant, and MBA graduate Steve Price, former Warriors Captain, among the remarkably high number of certificate, degree and diploma graduates.

DBA Graduate Dr Bruce Bryant and MBA Graduate Steve Price


Top Graduating Student 2010Congratulations to graduate Graham Aiken who received the award for applied excellence as the top student overall at this years graduation.

Besides being a remarkably high scoring student in his assessments, 22 year old Graham, was noted for the time and energy he put into tutoring fellow students.

“He is an all round good guy - not only is he an academic, but he gave of his time to fellow students,” says lecturer Chris Mayhew.

It was not uncommon for Graham to arrange group programming tutorial sessions where up to 35 students came to avail themselves of his expertise.

“I like helping people and by teaching others I learned better myself,” says Graham who is now working at Framecad Solutions Ltd in software development.

Top graduating student Graham Aiken at graduation


In preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2011, a Catering and

Hospitality initiative called EventStarNZ* has been established

both to cater for the hordes of rugby fans arriving on our

doorstep and to provide an attractive opportunity for kiwi youth

to be involved in this auspicious event, dear to our hearts but

which is otherwise out of reach for many.

This is a partnership between the Hospitality Standards

Institute, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd, stadiums, caterers

and polytechnics designed to deliver great service to fans and

visitors and offer kiwis a chance to be involved in this great

sporting event through catering and hospitality.

The evening was a wonderful event, attracting support and

interest from media, MIT executives and secondary school

representatives from around Auckland. Those in attendance

were treated to a glimpse inside the hotels and change sheds

of the All Black touring teams over the years while being

dished up culinary delights prepared and served by our culinary

students in training.

On and Off the Field with Rugby World Cup 2011

The School of Culinary and Hospitality studies launched a new and innovative programme, for which the school is the dedicated Auckland training provider, with a delightful and informative evening featuring special guest Mike Cron, All Blacks Scrum Coach.

here

Mike Cron and Johann Wohlmuter


Talk Show on CampusO-

Whakaaro (Your Opinion) - Ma-ori Television’s first portable talk show, visited MIT this month for some spontaneous open air ko-rero with students, panellists and passersby.

Lively scenes of debate and thought provoking banter were filmed with the set staged outside the North Campus Cafeteria attracting perspectives and discussion from many students passionate about the subject as well as students who can’t resist a TV camera.

A special thanks to those participating Ma-ori students and students working with the Student Experience Team.

The show likes to hear and air what Ma-ori youth think about the issues currently defining contemporary Aotearoa and the issues up for comment that day at MIT were: Pop Music: Is it corrupting our society? and Drowning in Drink: Should the legal drinking age be lifted to 20?

The show is scheduled to go to air in September this year. Watch this space for updates.

W H AT S AT I S F I E S Y O U A B O U T Y O U R J O B ?

The ever-changing environment and the variety which students bring. The fact that there is never a dull moment and always something new happening and let’s not forget seeing all the staff and students’ work pinned, glued, painted, photographed, filmed and sculpted around the school.

M O S T M E M O R A B L E M O M E N T

I N T H E J O B ?

There are too many to mention, but

the MSVA graduation ceremony is a

favourite. It’s great to see our MIT

graduates moving onwards and upwards.

The MSVA Open Day is another highlight

with all the proud students exhibiting

their final works to families, friends

and the community. Also, what would

we do without those unique deliveries

that turn up unannounced for student

projects during the course of the year.

Last but not least, those unique works of

art which cannot help but put a smile on

your face.

N A M E :

Julie Wright

J O B D E S C R I P T I O N :

Frontline Administrator

W H E R E A R E Y O U B A S E D :

Manukau School of Visual Arts

W H O D O Y O U R E P O R T T O :

Catherine Hollis, Administration Manager

W H E R E D I D Y O U W O R K B E F O R E M I T ?

AMP Financial Services

W H AT I S A T Y P I C A L D AY F O R Y O U ?

The Manukau School of Visual Arts is in no way typical. What might be deemed as a ‘normal’ day for most, will almost always involve some sort of unusual situation. If it is not dealing with paint spills, controversial works of art, unusual phone calls and those all important student requests (to burn plastic bags or to stick Velcro onto building walls), my day could involve just about anything.

However, what would work be without the day-to-day things like meeting and greeting visitors, purchase orders, student cards for programming, diary management, meeting arrangements, minutes, student absence letters, lecture/course evaluations and print credit to name a few.

PERSON OF THE MONTH


M O S T E M B A R R A S S I N G M O M E N T

I N T H E J O B ?

Gullibly agreeing to be incorporated into student works.

B I G G E S T A C H I E V E M E N T I N T H E J O B ?

There is never a dull moment at MSVA and it is wonderful being part of such a diverse and exciting group of staff and students. I enjoy getting to know all the students and helping them with their specific needs.

W H AT A R E Y O U R A S P I R AT I O N S

F O R T H E F U T U R E ?

I have never really been much of a planner. I tend to go with the flow, but over at MSVA our students create wonderful works which could inspire almost anyone. I would really like to see MSVA grow from strength-to-strength and just to be a part of that growth would be wonderful.


Mothers’ Day PamperA big thank you to the School of Culinary and Hospitality Studies who fully embraced Mothers Day this year by treating both staff and mothers to an afternoon of pampering.

Between the school’s kitchens, the beauty salon and the hair salon, MIT was able to spoil a number of mums with a special Mothers’ Day pamper and gifts.

Thirty deserving mums from the Manurewa Parenting Hub were welcomed into the MIT Hair Salon and received a complimentary conditioning treatment, scalp massage and blow-dry performed by Level 2 Hairdressing students under the expert supervision of lecturers Jo Hill and Wilma Hutchinson.

“We were very pleased to be able to do this for these mum who are always caring for others,” says Sue Hugill, Head of School for Hair and Beauty.

It was heartening to receive the warm sentiments sent in from both the community and MIT staff about what makes a great mum for the MIT Mothers’ Day competitions both in the wider community and within MIT.

Congratulations to Margaret Allinson who won the MIT staff special Mothers’ Day gift pack.

Toleafoa Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono, MIT’s Pasifika Development Manager, presenting the Manukau Institute of Technology Lifetime Achievement Award to Ardijah during this year’s S3 Pacific Music Awards.

S3 Pacific Awards


“Fun” is the word that Mihi Nemani (formerly Wells) and husband Danny use to sum up their wedding day and their beautiful wedding photos are testament to this.

A selection of these photos, encapsulating some of the most memorable, fun-filled moments of the big day, are featured in the latest edition of Bride and Groom magazine, after the couple pipped hundreds of other entries to the post by winning a category in the magazine’s 2009 bridal competition.

With a large bridal party featuring six groomsmen, six bridesmaids, two flowergirls and one pageboy who Mihi says, “Were all focussed on the same goal – to look after Danny and myself and do whatever they could to make our day run smoothly,” it’s easy to see why the couple stole the title of 2009 Wedding Party of the Year.

Mihi, a lecturer in Sport & Rec and a New Zealand National Bodyboard Champion, continues, “Our bridal party totally deserved to be Wedding Party of the Year. Each person represented an important part of our life and they all bonded together as though they’d known each other all their lives.”

Mihi and Danny chose to marry in a beach ceremony at Piha, their ‘home break’, where they’ve spent many weekends over the past eight years surfing all the breaks Piha has to offer. Sharing a passion for Hawaii, it was an easy decision to theme the wedding ‘Formal Aloha’.

The bridal party played a significant role in virtually all aspects of the big day from the planning stages, during which they freely gave their input, advice and assistance, right through to the finer details and fun elements of the day.

A highlight of the day (and surprise for the wider wedding party) was the reception entrance. Mihi and Danny planned for the bridal party to enter the reception dancing to ‘When Love Takes Over’, except they kept this a secret from the bridal party until the night before. “Each couple was able to personalise how they would enter the reception and the variety they came up with was really funny,” says Danny. “When we danced our way into the reception all of the guests really enjoyed it and were on their feet clapping and dancing too.”

As well as being good sports, the bridal party looked the part, wearing matching golden apricot outfits, all of which were hand-sown by Danny’s mum, Matilda.

“Matilda was absolutely amazing as she helped us pick out suitable patterns for all the outfits, including my wedding dress,” says Mihi. “She also sewed all sixteen outfits for the bridal party, including my dress and Danny’s outfit. She’s an amazing woman and we’d like to thank her for helping to make our day special.”

Mihi and Danny are also grateful to their photographer, Jayne Rapley, who captured the magic of the day perfectly. “It’s great that we can share the fun we experienced on the day with others through our photos,” says Danny. “Having our photos included in the magazine as a two-page spread is an added bonus.”

Looking back on the day, Mihi sums up the experience by saying;

“Danny and I look back on the planning of the day and the day itself and wish we could do it all over again. It was the most fun, exciting, happiest day of our lives. I’ve heard that a lot of people say that they are glad once their wedding is over. Danny and I wish we could do it all again, and if we could….we wouldn’t change a thing.”

Mihi Celebrates Bridal Win


Chenery Memorial Trust & Rotary Helps Mum Achieve Her DreamsThere were tears of joy recently when mother of five and Foundation Studies graduate Lorris Skelton was awarded this year’s Pacific Community Health Work Scholarship funded by the Chenery Memorial Trust managed by the Rotary Charitable Foundation.

The scholarship is awarded annually to one student studying towards the Certificate in Pacific Community Health Work. Applicants for the scholarship are generally Foundation Studies graduates and must be able to demonstrate a desire to make a positive contribution to the local community by working in the health sector.

Each year, the Rotary Charitable Foundation and the Chenery Memorial Trust’s generous support assists a number of MIT students with their course fees.

Lorris said that the Foundation Studies courses she completed last year gave her the confidence to step up and pursue further studies this year.

“A couple of years ago my life was boring and had no meaning, I was stuck being a wife, mother, daughter…being here at MIT has opened the door for me to discover myself and what I can offer society and the community that I live in,” she explained. “I’ve never received A’s in my life before except for absent but last year I received A’s in all my subjects. Being in Foundation Studies has changed me in so many ways, I really enjoyed being back at school and I did work really, really hard.”

Teary-eyed Lorris was overwhelmed when she heard that she had won the scholarship. The tears were soon replaced with smiles as she celebrated the scholarship with her classmates.

Lorris celebrates the scholarship with her

classmates.

Head of the School of Foundation Studies

Kirk Sargent presents the scholarship certificate

to Lorris


V E G E T A B L E G A R D E N

• Remove caterpillars from cabbages.

• Sow broadbeans, cabbages, onions and winter lettuces.

• Plant out rhubarb crowns, shallots, garlic cloves and asparagus crowns.

• Strawberries can be planted but make sure they have good drainage. It’s a good idea to plant them on ridges in the garden.

• Early peas can be sown. But good drainage and shelter from strong winds is essential.

• Early crop potatoes can be planted but make sure they are well sprouted with firm 6-8mm shoots.

F L O W E R I N G G A R D E N

• Liquid feed flowers on mild sunny days as this will help them cope with severe weather.

• Divide and replant perennials.

• Cultivate lightly around plants. This helps control weed growth and aerates the soil, which helps to warm it up.

• Cactus and succulents should be kept in a sunny area and should be kept quite dry from now till early spring.

• Prune hydrangeas by cutting back to the fat buds about halfway down the stem.

• Plant out lily bulbs. Add compost before planting.

In the Garden with Wyn Blackie, School of Horticulture & Landscaping

June may mark the start of winter but there’s still plenty to do in the garden at this time of year, from maintenance and pruning to planting winter crops. Mark off 21 June on your calendar - this is the shortest day of the year and a traditional time for planting garlic. Garlic is one of the easiest plants to grow and the colder the winter, the better the flavour. Lightly fork some lime into the soil, then select cloves from the outside of the garlic bulb. Press them into the soil so they are just covered.

T O P T I P S

• Keep checking for snails and slugs and regularly use slug bait.

• Clean tools and sharpen spades and hoes.

• Plant fruit trees, canefruits and vines while they are dormant.

• Spray dormant fruit trees with lime sulphur to control winter pests.

• Prune cane fruit and vines.

• Transplant or plant new roses.

• Lawns may benefit from a light dressing of lime.

L E E K S

One of the national emblems of Wales, the leek is very versatile and can be grown at almost any time of the year. They take 150 days to reach maturity and like a rich, well drained soil with plenty of moisture. A member of the onion family, leeks are full of vitamin C, folate, vitamin A and iron.

R H U B A R B

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable/fruit which can be grown in the same position for many years. Plants can be lifted and divided every four years. Rhubarb can grow in a semi-shade position and likes compost and manure. Liquid feed every six weeks during the growing season. Remember that rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Rhubarb stalks contain vitamin C, fibre, potassium and calcium.

Next month we’ll look at growing peanuts and blueberries.

Library to shift to a new level by Pat Liao

Imagine a library where information on a particular subject is found in the same place; regardless of whether it’s a book, video, journal or magazine. Imagine a library with more space for both individual and group study. Imagine a library where it is easier to find what you’re looking for.

At the beginning of the next semester, you will no longer need to imagine, because MIT Library will offer all these things.

Each year, the library reviews its collections to ensure they support and enhance current learning, research and teaching practice. This year we’ve taken it to a new level. The library collections will all be in one place on Level 4, along with quiet study areas, and creating more space in the information commons on Level 2. Information will be easier to find, and students will have more space to study.

We will begin the shift during the semester break, and complete it in time for the new semester, so there will be limited library access during this time.

“The library is an essential part of campus life and this is just the first phase of several exciting developments in the pipeline. It’s the first step towards shifting our thinking in the way we do things to help students achieve greater success.” says Institute Librarian, Pat Liao.

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