Cup of tea yesterday to mark the 25th Birthday for Whitireia

For an early morning cuppa and cake to mark the 25th anniversary of the Whitireia opening blessing, three Chief Executives, spanning the entire history of the polytechnic, joined staff in an informal event on Tuesday morning, 15 March 2011. Turoa Royal, Dierdre Dale and Don Campbell spoke with warmth of the growth and successes of Whitireia.

Original staff-members Barbara Marshall, Jean Sneddon, George Packard, Robbie Kahukiwa and Trish Brimblecombe were in amongst the tea, cake, staff and students present and shared thoughts of the first days in an initiative that was intended to have a significant social impact on Porirua. “Every Christmas for 10 years my holiday plans were cancelled, as urgent buildings were added to the campus,” remembers Original Council-member Margaret Faulkner.

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Margaret Faulkner also recounted how the Tongan community gifted Governor General Sir Paul Reeves a spit roasted pig on the day. He had quite a task loading it into the staff car.

Turoa Royal shared his experience of the job interview to be the first Principal of what was then known as Parumoana Community College. After answering educational management questions, he was asked to sing a song! His belief that everybody deserves a place in the sun, guided his choice.

These sentiments have recently been echoed by Phil O’Reilly, Business New Zealand, who described the success of Maori and Pacific peoples as important to New Zealand economic development. “There is no room to leave people behind” he said to the Porirua Education Forum in 2010.

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“Responsibility for our communities has always been very important for Whitireia and you can see the results in the lift in achievement in tertiary education here” said Don Campbell, “When you think back to the beginnings 25 years ago with around 100 students and a handful of staff, the progress has been simply amazing. 9,000 students, over 400 staff, income of $55m – Whitireia is now a significant polytechnic achieving outstanding results. Our success rates continue to rise and at 77%, we’re in the top 5 or 6 in NZ”.

The 25th birthday is being celebrated formally on 25 June on the Porirua Campus and also on the completion and launch of four purpose refitted campuses during the year:
The Whitireia NZ Media Centre in Cuba Street, Wellington, The Whitireia NZ Performance Centre in Vivian Street, Wellington, Whitireia in Kapiti, Whitireia in Auckland.

ENDS