For the last ten years, Shane Fuataga and Kisa Tauasa have been living in Australia. Though the pull of family, community and taking a new career direction has drawn the couple and their two children home.

The Grey Lynn pair joined more than a hundred new and returning ākonga attending Unitec’s Information and Enrolment Days at Mt Albert and Waitākere Campuses this week.

(L-R) Kisa Tauasa, daughter Maofa and Shane Fuataga hearing what Unitec has to offer their ‘aiga at our Mt Albert Information and Enrolment Day

 

The events are a really important part of the enrolment and application process allowing learners to meet Academic and Support staff face-to-face, ask questions and hear what assistance is available to help them along their student journeys.

“We just want a better life for ourselves. We don’t want to be stuck in a job we don’t want to work at. Better to study now while we are still young,” says Mr Fuataga, who has worked as a butcher and in warehousing.

Though Shane’s most recent employment as a truck tire fitter has led him towards wanting to further explore his interest in heavy transport.

After meeting with Unitec’s Head of School, Trades & Services, Lee Baglow; Shane is looking at studying towards New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering with a view to becoming a diesel mechanic.

At the event, Mr Fuataga also got the chance to hear about the support provided through the Māori & Pasifika Trades Training initiative. The scheme provides navigators to guide trainees through their apprenticeships, partnering with industry to make sure they go further.

“We know new ākonga really appreciate the opportunity to come in, meet our teams and tie up any last-minute queries before they study with us,” says Region 1 Executive Director, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

“Thanks to the kaimahi who welcomed them in on these days and made them feel at home, given for many it will have been their first time on campus,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Great to see our passionate kaimahi sharing their enthusiasm with incoming ākonga

 

Erena Magner, who enrolled in NZ Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) online, came in to the event to talk through her timetable with school kaimahi.

“I just wanted to get more information to see if they are able to shuffle around the classes I’m in,” she says.

“I currently work fulltime in the construction realm, but more in an administrative role. I asked my employer if they’d support me (in further study) and they encouraged it. I didn’t finish high school. I’m in a much better space now to study and get into it.”

Unitec is seeing increasing interest in on campus learning. As of 16 January 2025, total student numbers were up 5.6% compared to the same date last year.