Quarter Century Celebrations for Waiariki

Waiariki Institute of Technology

Press Release
For Immediate Release
19 August 2003

Quarter Century Celebrations for Waiariki

Waiariki Institute of Technology is calling on all past and present staff, students, council members & friends to join them in a Gala Dinner and Dance to celebrate its 25th Anniversary on Saturday 13 September.

Rotorua Convention Centre plays host to an anticipated 300 people with live music by local band Jumpstart, cocktails and a buffet dinner from 6pm to the wee hours to celebrate its silver anniversary.

“The evening will be a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues”, says Rachel Piggin, Marketing Manager.

The 25th Anniversary is also being marked by a Courses and Careers Open Day on Friday 12 September where prospective students will get the opportunity to see first-hand what Waiariki offers – from course information to sampling delights of the tourism and hospitality department and showcases of student work.

Tickets for the Gala Dinner & Dance cost $45. Any enquiries should be made to Dawne Hayward on 07 346 8883, email dawne.hayward@waiariki.ac.nz or visit www.waiariki.ac.nz

Some history of Waiariki
- Waiariki Institute of Technology developed out of evening and day classes for apprentices, technicians, accountants and hobbyists at Rotorua Boy's High School.
- Waiariki was named after the Maori land district where its Rotorua Mokoia campus is situated and means "water of the gods".
- Established in 1978 as Waiariki Community College, it became Waiariki Polytechnic in 1987 and Waiariki Institute of Technology in 1998.
- It now has regional centres in Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane.
- Waiariki Institute of Technology was the first educational institution in the country to offer a degree in Tourism Management.
- Waiariki made history in 2000 when it became the first tertiary institute in New Zealand to sign a legally binding Deed of Agreement with local iwi (Te Mana Matauranga), embodying the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
- Waiariki has around 500 full and part-time staff and more than 6,000 full and part-time students.
- Waiariki has over 80 full time courses on offer in 2004.
- Waiariki offers free Te Reo and free computing classes to the community.

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