Staff excellence and manaakitanga shine at annual Vice-Chancellor's awards

From enhancing the exam experience for thousands of students to creating ReoSpace, where staff and students gather to practise te reo Māori, our people brought the University's values and te ao Māori principles to life in ways that demonstrate both innovation and deep care for our communities.

Forty-one such contributions were celebrated on 20 February at the University's Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Values and Te Ao Māori Principles ceremony, held in the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, where seven awards were presented across three categories.

These awards, now in their second year, are designed to support the aspirations of Taumata Teitei and the vision of a values-led culture. With 373 staff members nominated, many in cross-faculty and functional teams, the nominations celebrate not just what our people achieve, but how they achieve it through our shared values.

Staff initiatives ranged from the Asian Staff Network's growth to over 170 members promoting inclusivity, to the Faculty of Engineering's QR code system enhancing laboratory safety, to pioneering sustainability practices in university labs. Our focus on enhancing the tauira student experience shone through innovations like Grafton Hall's Kaupapa Māori floors and the STAR outreach campaign.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says she was inspired by the breadth and depth of this year's nominations.

"Across every area of our University, staff are working together in innovative ways on projects that will have lasting impact. These nominations show us what's possible when excellence and manaakitanga go hand in hand - creating positive change for our students, staff and the wider community.”

Gemma Skipper
 

Kāhui Repatriation Care Collective

Caitlin Smith, David Seldon, Greg Holwell, Hone Thorpe, Judith Littleton, Leanne Tamaki, Michael Steedman, Te Kapua O'Connor and Teariki Tuiono

Biological Containment Team

Erica Zarate and Francesca Casu

Waipapa Raukura Rau - Kaihōpara Raukura & Programme Delivery Team

Amy Fishlock, Cath Dunphy, Dale Harding-Thomas, Faith Pallant, Kiharoa Iversen, Kyle Murray, Nopera Rangiuia Lindup, Rangimaarie Painting, Sarah Jayne Dipert, Sheye Semple, Shivani Parboo, Te Hira Mayall-Nahi and Trent Dallas

ReoSpace

Abigail McClutchie, Darlene Cameron, Denise Montgomery, Frances Hodgson, Kaaka Te Pou Kohere, Kohu Hakaraia, Liz Halverson, Manuhiri Huatahi, Maringi James, Mia-Mae Taitimu-Stevens, Robine Harris, Te Rina Triponel and Trent Dallas

Paul Caiger

Kāhui Tikanga Rōpu

Anne Cowsil, Antonia Tangatakino-McIntyre, Arekatera Maihi, Aroha Harris, Aroha Knight, Bevan Iles, Bruce Taplin, Claire Philipson, Esther Fitzpatrick, Hare Paniora, Hemi Dale, Jacqui and John Matthews, Jan Gaffney, Jim Stretton, John Tapene, Karena Wilson, Kariska Du Preez, Keith and freight team, Mals Araullo, Melinda Webber, Michael Steedman, Mike Renwick, Nathan Tohovaka, Nerina Howe, Ngāti Whātua mātanga, Patsy and Moutini Bryers, Piata Allen, Priscilla Godinet, Rau Hoskins, Rebecca Bain, Ricky Timms, Roger Herangi, Rose Yukich, Sheryl Harris, Tiere Moate, Tony Trinick and Ursula McIntyre

Read about the 2024 nominees for the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Values and Te Ao Māori Principles (Staff only).