About TechWeek
1 May 2018
About TechWeek *A festival amplifying New Zealand innovation that's good for the world.* In 2012, technology industry association NZTech began a Tech Innovation Week to coincide with the Hi-Tech Awards in order to build enthusiasm around new technologies being developed in New Zealand. The success of the week led them, in 2016, to join forces with Auckland’s economic development agency, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) to produce TechweekAKL – a week-long festival of innovation ecosystem events. TechweekAKL was an Auckland-wide festival with 55 events across 10 days attended by 10,000 people. It was a colossal success, and so in 2017, TechweekAKL became TechweekNZ: a nationwide initiative with a curated programme focused on ‘finding local answers to global questions’. Techweek'17 included 287 events in 24 locations, and hosted more than 20,000 New Zealanders and visitors over 9 days. It continues to grow. The intention behind Techweek is simple – New Zealand’s technology and innovation sectors are growing rapidly, and Techweek fosters that growth by providing the national ecosystem with a week-long opportunity for connection and cross-pollination, and an independent platform through which to amplify New Zealand’s unique and inspiring innovation stories to the world. In the years to come, Techweek’s vision is for New Zealand to be globally recognised...
Read the full postTPP enables local iwi to connect with past through technology
26 Apr 2018
TPP enables local iwi to connect with past through technology Virtual and augmented reality technologies are providing a link to the past for 30 young West Coasters these school holidays. TPP enables local iwi to connect with past through technology Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) has established a partnership between local iwi and South Island based social enterprise Fabriko to explore the possibilities of new technologies as a platform for storytelling. TPP Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says the partnership is focused on connecting younger Maori in the West Coast community with future-focused technologies. TPP Director of Maori Education Dave Mason says the rapid development of technology is causing a rethink away from our reliance on traditional industries. “At Tai Poutini Polytechnic, we’re eager to support the emergence of this new thinking, which is why we are partnering with local hapū, Te Rūnanga o Ngati Waewae, and Fabriko Creative to create a programme called Koneki, or ‘Here’,” he says. Fusion Rangatahi Wānanga is a school holiday programme designed for primary and intermediate aged children that whakapapa to Ngāi Tahu. It is operated under the guidance of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, and has been going for over 10 years now, originally started by Rūnanga Member Chantal Tumahai. Rūnanga Member Nelly Mason and her team...
Read the full postHigh school students turn up in droves for a taste of tertiary study
5 Apr 2018
High school students turn up in droves for a taste of tertiary study Competition for places in the West Coast Trades Academy is heating‐up, with more students than ever this year enrolled to take part in the school‐to‐work training programme. Tai Poutini Polytechnic is the main provider for the Trades Academy, providing ongoing training opportunities for West Coast students. The Trades Academy, which introduces high school students to the industry of their choice, has been oversubscribed across 95% of its programmes this year. West Coast Trades Academy General Manager Tania Washer says that every West Coast high school is now engaged in the programme. “We’re going from strength to strength. Six years ago, we had 32 students. This year, we have 140 studying at TPP, and 230 across the West Coast. Enthusiasm levels are also at record highs, and we’ve had 100% attendance of our year two students this year. They are all turning up to class motivated and ready to learn,” she says. “Gaining a place at WCTA is now highly competitive, and students need to demonstrate that they are committed to the trades pathway they are applying for. Placements into TPP take into account a student’s drive and desires to do that programme, and look at social...
Read the full postTPP partners with Greymouth High School to promote local tech event
15 Mar 2018
TPP partners with Greymouth High School to promote local tech event The West Coast joins New Zealand innovators and tech experts next week at a special event to introduce Techweek’18. Anyone with an interest in celebrating innovation and technology on the West Coast is invited to Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) next Wednesday evening (21 March), to take part in the nationwide livestreaming of the Techweek’18 launch. Join local entrepreneurs and innovators to find out more about the week‐long event in May, and how you can get involved. TPP and Greymouth High School have partnered to bring Techweek’18 to the West Coast, enabling Coasters to participate in this annual festival showcasing New Zealand innovation that's good for the world. Throughout the nine days of the festival, Techweek provides a platform for events, conversations and initiatives to take place. Hundreds of events will run across the country, providing a unique opportunity to connect the West Coast with people throughout New Zealand to inspire and build capability. West Coasters can join in at no cost, from Greymouth, thanks to live streaming technology at TPP. Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says it’s a great opportunity for West Coast innovators to come together and discuss our place in the future of New Zealand technology and...
Read the full postTPP partners with Rotary for community benefit
4 Mar 2018
TPP partners with Rotary for community benefit TPP partners with Rotary for community benefit West Coast children will be the winners in a new partnership designed to give back to the local community. Tai Poutini Polytechnic has confirmed that this year’s class of construction students will build a fullsize house to be auctioned through Rotary as a fundraiser for the children’s wing in the new Greymouth Hospital. Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says that the auction is a symbol of the polytechnic’s place at the heart of its community. “We are here to provide what the Coast needs, as an integral part of this community. So while we’re helping people to gain a new skill or learn a trade, we’re also using our resources to support the same community,” he says. “Partnering with Rotary to give back to our community provides a wonderful opportunity for the work we do to reach those in need.” Alex says that knowing that their hard work is for a good cause is a motivating factor for the students. “For many of our young people today, there is a real desire to give back, and to look beyond themselves. This year’s class of construction students has the opportunity to do just that, and it’s a challenge they...
Read the full postGovernment support secures tertiary education on Coast
28 Feb 2018
*Government support secures tertiary education on Coast* The Government’s decision to continue financial support for Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) is great news for the future of tertiary education on the West Coast. Funding support for the coming year was confirmed today by Education Minister Chris Hipkins www.beehive.govt.nz[http://www.beehive.govt.nz/].[http://www.beehive.govt.nz/] It coincides with the release by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) of its investigation into TPP delivery between 2010 and 2015 www.tec.govt.nz[http://www.tec.govt.nz/].[http://www.tec.govt.nz/] Funding support allows the institute to keep operating while plans to develop a new model for the delivery of quality, sustainable tertiary education at both a national and regional level are progressed. Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says TPP, as part of a range of improvements made over the past 18 months, is considering new ways of working that take an innovative approach to tertiary education in one of New Zealand’s most isolated regions. “We know we have to do things differently to secure the future of vocational training on the Coast so we’ve worked closely with the local community, partner organisations and Government to come up with a proposal for the future. Today’s indication of the Minister’s strong focus on how the regions can be better supported by tertiary education is a positive step toward change.” Crown Manager Murray Strong...
Read the full postImportant
18 Feb 2018
*MPORTANT MESSAGE* *UPDATED: 21 February 2018, 5.30pm* All Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s West Coast Campuses are open as normal on Thursday 22 February 2018. Thank you *19 February 2018, 3.05pm* *All Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s West Coast Campus’swill be closed on Tuesday 20 February and Wednesday 21 February* as a safety precaution as a result of the significant weather event due to hit New Zealand with a strong focus on the West Coast over Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday. DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS or TRAVEL TO OR FROM OUR WEST COAST SITES. All other non-West Coast campuses will remain open as normal. Updates will be posted on TPP’s Facebook www.fb.com/taipoutinipolytechnic[http://www.fb.com/taipoutinipolytechnic] and on our web www.tpp.ac.nz/important[important] We strongly encourage all members of our communities to keep up to date with the latest developments regarding this very significant weather system which can be found at http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings[http://www.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings] We will continue to monitor the situation for any further developments. Please remember if in doubt follow Civil Defences advice. Kind regards, Alex Cabrera Chief Executive
Read the full post