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EIT students help thousands of kids tackle Tough Kid challenge | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

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April 10, 2025

EIT students helped bring the Mitre 10 MEGA Tough Kid challenge to life last week during two action-packed days.

The popular annual event at Mitre 10 Park Hawke’s Bay drew thousands of tamariki from across the region to take on a 23-obstacle course focused on fun, participation, and inclusion.

EIT Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student Irina Vlasov encourages students taking part in the Mitre 10 MEGA Tough Kid challenge.

Dr Sue Scott-Chapman, a Principal Academic Staff Member in the School of Health and Sport Science and long-time event organiser, said this year’s involvement was the biggest yet.

“We had students from across the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science; first, second and third year, as well as students from our Services Pathway, Outdoor Education, Trades Academy, and L4 Certificate in Exercise team in Maraenui. For the first time this year we had our EIT Skills for Living Programme students participating as well.”

“It’s come a long way since 2014, when we started with just a handful of students doing placements. Now it’s a major part of our calendar and a real highlight for our learners.”

Fifty EIT students volunteered each day, which Sue said was a fitting coincidence in EIT’s 50th year.

She said the event offers real-world learning that can’t be replicated in the classroom.

“They’re not just helping out. They’re learning how to engage with young people, how to motivate, and how to adapt their approach for different ages and abilities.”

For third-year Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student Toni Palermo, the event was a highlight.

“I think probably the bonus for me is just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and seeing them all give it a go.”

EIT Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student Amit Khadka volunteered at the Mitre 10 MEGA Tough Kid challenge.

Toni’s 17-year-old son, Ethan Palermo, a Trades Academy student, also volunteered.

“It was nice to see him cheering kids along. He was smiling and laughing, and it was really good.”

She said experiences like Tough Kid are valuable for everyone involved.

“I think it’s very beneficial. You’re getting kids out there that probably would never have done half of those obstacles, and I think it just pushes them out of their comfort zone.”

The course featured bouncy castles, climbing frames, slippery slides, and a finale spray-down from the fire brigade. Students helped guide participants, offered encouragement, and ensured everyone had fun, regardless of speed or ability.

“It’s not about who finishes first,” said Sue. “It’s about making sure every child feels successful. And our students walk away with just as much as they give.”

Planning is already underway for next year, and for Sue, it’s a non-negotiable on the calendar.

“It connects our students with the community, promotes physical activity, and brings joy to so many. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

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Career change leads to valedictorian honour for EIT nursing graduate | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

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April 8, 2025

More than a decade after first studying at EIT Hawke’s Bay, Kayla Hughes will return to the graduation stage, this time as a Bachelor of Nursing graduate and one of two valedictorians.

Kayla will deliver her valedictory speech at one of two graduation ceremonies for EIT Hawke’s Bay at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday, April 11.

Being selected as valedictorian came as a pleasant surprise.

“I felt very honoured to have even been considered. You put a lot of hard work into your degree, so to be acknowledged just through a nomination was nice.”

Having originally completed a Diploma in Cookery at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale in 2013, Kayla spent several years overseas in various kitchens.

It was during her time working for a healthcare software company in the UK that she realised her passion lay in directly caring for others.

This prompted her decision to pursue nursing upon returning home in 2020.

“I’ve always been the person in my family who helps when someone’s sick,” Kayla says. “Pursuing nursing felt like the natural next step.”

At 31, Kayla found her transition back to tertiary study supported by EIT’s introductory NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Hauora) programme. Throughout her Bachelor of Nursing, Kayla found strong support networks, both among lecturers and her fellow students, crucial to her success.

“We had a very supportive cohort,” she says. “The connections we made helped us get through tough times, particularly during Cyclone Gabrielle, when studying became especially challenging.”

Now employed in the Acute Assessment Unit at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, Kayla is thriving in the fast-paced environment and says she enjoys the dynamic nature of acute care nursing.

Kayla will celebrate her achievement with family and friends at the graduation ceremony. “I’m proud to represent the Bachelor of Nursing and excited for what’s ahead,” she says.

Katie Rongonui, Assistant Head of School, School of Nursing, said: “Kayla has not only achieved academic excellence during her time in the Bachelor of Nursing, she has inspired and encouraged others in her journey to becoming a registered nurse with her positive outlook and determination”.

“Kayla’s outstanding achievements and attributes will no doubt carry her into a successful career in nursing, providing excellence in the delivery of care for patients and their whānau.”

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Valedictorian credits EIT for helping rebuild his life | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

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April 8, 2025

Study at EIT gave Elijah Rogers (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whātua, and Ngāpuhi) the chance to rebuild his life.

Now, just a few years later, he’s graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Māori) and will do so as one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay valedictorians at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday, April 11.

“I didn’t expect to be named valedictorian,” he says. “But it’s a reflection of how far I’ve come and the people who have helped me get here.”

Elijah Rogers (Te Arawa, Ngāti Whātua, and Ngāpuhi) will graduate as Valedictorian at one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay ceremonies in April.

He now teaches level 4 te reo Māori at EIT, having first enrolled as a student there in 2022.

Originally from the north, 36-year-old Elijah moved to Hawke’s Bay to start fresh. His wife, who was living in Whanganui at the time, sold her home so they could settle in the region and begin the next chapter of their lives.

“My wife’s support made all the difference—she gave me a solid footing to land on,” he says.

Although Elijah grew up surrounded by kapa haka and a father who taught tikanga, te reo Māori was not a language he spoke fluently as a child.

“I could understand bits of it, but I didn’t know how to speak it properly. I grew up around it, but I didn’t have the reo myself.”

Later in life, during a period of reflection and transition, he made the decision to commit to learning te reo and deepening his understanding of te ao Māori.

He began by completing a six-month level 2 certificate elsewhere.

“When I was starting to get a grasp of te reo, I actually saw the benefits, not just of the language, but of how it changed how I saw the world. That’s what grounded me.”

That self-motivation eventually led him to EIT’s Te Ūranga Waka, where he enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Māori) and found the structure, support, and sense of belonging he needed to continue his journey.

Elijah says he found more than just a place to study.

“Te Ūranga Waka was a great support for me. They gave me a community away from home. It felt like I’d found a new whānau.”

He now teaches level 4 te reo Māori at EIT, having first enrolled as a student there in 2022.

Alongside teaching, Elijah is also a carver. His carvings reflect his heritage and his journey, and carving remains a grounding practice in his day-to-day life.

“That was always the goal,” he says. “To keep teaching te reo and keep carving.”

He says EIT gave him the foundation to do both—work that continues to challenge and inspire him.

“I’m just grateful,” he says. “It gave me the chance to start again. Now I get to give back.”

Tash Hau, Poutuarā Assistant Head of School, Te Ūranga Waka, congratulated Elijah on his “well-deserved” appointment to valedictorian.

“We are very proud of Elijah and his achievements. This is yet another example of what is possible when dedication, self-belief and a solid work ethic fuse together. Ko ngā ara tūmanko, ko ngā ara tūmanako e!”

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Ka mate te Pire- Ka ora te mana o Te Tiriti o Waitangi me te iwi Māori

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Today, Te Pāti Māori join the motu in celebration as the Treaty Principles Bill is voted down at its second reading.

“From the beginning, this Bill was never welcome in this House,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi.

“Our response to the first reading was one of protest: protesting the very institution that tried to rewrite our founding covenant.

“But today, we celebrate. Today belongs to Aotearoa.

“This movement was not led by politicians. It was led by the people.

 

“270,000 written submissions, 13,600 oral submissions, 300,000 signatures on a petition. 100,000 people marching to Parliament.”

“We met with the Speaker to ensure Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Toa could lay this kaupapa to rest on their terms,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“This wasn’t just politics. This was tikanga. This was whakapapa. This was a clear example of what true partnership looks like- in the name of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“Tangata whenua, Tangata Moana, Tangata Tiriti- thank you. Thank you for showing up for Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Thank you for making mokopuna decisions.

“You stood in your mana. You lifted the wairua of our tīpuna. Together, we beat this ngangara.

“The same power you used to stop this Bill is the power that can shape the next government.

“Get on the Māori roll. Prepare now. Your vote, just like your submission, will change everything.

“We buried the Bill. Now we build the future,” said Ngarewa-Packer.

Ka mate te pire. Ka ora te mana o Te Tiriti.
Ka ora te iwi Māori. Ka ora te iwi katoa.
Ka ora tātou āke, ake, ake.

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Te Pāti Māori Urges Governor-General to Block Repeal of 7AA

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Today, the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading, but there is one more stage before it becomes law.

The Governor-General must give their ‘Royal assent’ for any bill to become legally enforceable. This means that, even if a bill gets voted through all stages in Parliament, the Governor-General has the power to block it.

Te Pāti Māori Co-Leaders, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, have sent a letter to the Governor-General urging her to block the repeal of Section 7AA because it is a serious threat to the lives of our mokopuna.

“Tamariki Māori account for 67% of the children in state care, and 81% of those who are abused in these institutions. The state has proven time and again that their model of ‘care’ is incompatible with the needs of our mokopuna” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“The Abuse in Care Report confirmed that decades of disregarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and its obligations, contributed to extreme levels of abuse.

“This bill would erase Te Tiriti o Waitangi from the state care system and guarantee harm against our Māori babies and their whānau.”

“Te Tiriti o Waitangi underpins Kāwanatanga in Aotearoa. The Governor-General has a constitutional duty to withhold Royal assent when a piece of legislation blatantly breaches Te Tiriti o Waitangi and threatens the foundation of our institutions” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi

“13 bills have been blocked by this power in the history of Parliament. Not one of these bills was as significant as the repeal of section 7AA.

“We are urging the Governor-General to act within her powers to uphold the constitution of Aotearoa, for the sake of our mokopuna, and for every person that calls this country home.”

“We have heard countless stories from whānau that Section 7AA has forced the system to do better by our Māori babies, saving hundreds from further trauma” Waititi said.

“We appeal to the Governor-General not only in her position as the King’s representative, but also as a Wāhine Māori, a mother, a grandmother, and former Children’s Commissioner” Ngarewa-Packer said.

“You have the power to save our babies from state abuse by blocking this abhorrent legislation” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.

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Te Pāti Māori MPs Denied Fundamental Rights in Privileges Committee Hearing

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The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes.

The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. Their haka, rooted in cultural expression, has been unjustly branded as “disruptive and disorderly.” This characterisation undermines the significance of tikanga and highlights the ongoing marginalisation of te iwi Māori within the parliamentary system.

Despite requests for a fair hearing, the Committee has denied key legal rights, including:

  • Joint Hearing Denied: The MPs’ request for a joint session was rejected, despite the collective nature of the incident.
  • Legal Representation Restricted: The Committee has prevented counsel from making essential submissions on tikanga, pivotal to understanding the MPs’ actions.
  • Expert Testimony Excluded: The Committee refused to hear from Tā Pou Temara, an expert on tikanga Māori, undermining the MPs’ defence.
  • Scheduling Conflicts Ignored: The hearing date was set without accommodating the MPs’ schedules or their choice of senior counsel, Christopher Finlayson KC.
  • Double Jeopardy Concerns: Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, already sanctioned in the House for her involvement, faces repeated proceedings.

“This decision not only undermines basic legal practices but also perpetuates the ongoing tyranny of the majority against Māori representation,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“Parliament continues to dismiss tikanga and justice, and this Committee is no different. They have already decided our fate. This is not a fair hearing. It is s a display of power designed to silence us.”

“No just legal system would tolerate such a blatant denial of rights,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi.

“How can we defend tikanga when their decisions are predetermined? The Committee’s actions are yet another example of how Māori voices are systematically marginalised, entrenching discrimination within the halls of power.”

In light of these developments, the MPs have stated their refusal to attend the scheduled hearing, asserting that the conditions imposed deny them their rights to a fair hearing.

Please direct any queries, tikanga concerns, and double standards to the Chair of the Privileges Committee Judith Collins, apparently now an expert in all three.

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Te Pāti Māori Call for Mandatory Police Body Cameras

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In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger strike after being beaten by prison guards, and Sam Matue who was tasered and pepper-sprayed before becoming unresponsive and being pronounced dead at the scene.

This is what Crown violence looks like in 2025.

This violence could have been prevented with mandatory police body cameras.

“Māori are being subjected to abuse, and pushed into silence,” said Te Pāti Māori Spokesperson for Mental Health, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.

“This is not justice; this is a systemic issue.

“We are concerned for the welfare of not just the individual victims, but for all the whānau who have been impacted by state violence.

“The ongoing lack of accountability for abuse and the failure to implement practical solutions will cause further harm to whānau and communities.”

“Māori are overrepresented in every stage of the justice system, making up 38% of those proceeded against by police, 42% of those convicted, and 50% of those imprisoned,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and Spokesperson for Justice, Rawiri Waititi.

“From tamariki, mokopuna, to kaumātua, our people are being subjected to unjust and violent treatment by the state.

“Outgoing Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has admitted that our justice system requires transformational change to prevent the further victimisation of Māori.

“Te Pāti Māori is insisting on body cameras for police officers to ensure the safety of all those who come into contact with law enforcement. We can no longer stand by and allow this violence to continue unchecked,” concluded Waititi.

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Release: Govt cuts will cost jobs, health, and homes

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Nicola Willis announced that funding for almost every Government department will be frozen in this year’s budget, costing jobs, making access to public services harder, and fuelling an exodus of nurses, teachers, and other public servants.

“Nicola Willis’s slash-and-burn budget is dangerous and reckless,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“This Government is hanging out a very clear sign that there’s no hope here. They may as well book tickets to Australia for nurses, teachers, police officers, and other public servants who are already struggling, and who will now find it untenable to stay in New Zealand.

“This Government had no problem doling out billions to landlords and the tobacco lobby, but when it comes to what Kiwis care most about—jobs, health, and homes—it’s just one cut after another.

“But the biggest cuts are to investments in our future. In last year’s budget the Government set aside $1.4 billion from Budget 25 just to keep the lights on in our health system. Today’s announcement leaves nothing for new investments, meaning any so-called ‘new’ spending will be funded by cuts elsewhere.

“Last year we saw $12 billion in borrowing for tax cuts, First Home Grants scrapped and $1.5 billion cut from public house building and maintenance, while they froze hiring for frontline health roles and thousands of Kiwis lost their jobs. Every dollar they promise now comes at the cost of something else, and Kiwis deserve to know what’s on the chopping block.

“This is about the Government’s choices. New Zealanders depend on their public services for jobs, good quality healthcare, and access to an affordable home with a good school down the road. Their budget chooses short-term savings at the expense of long-term prosperity, and it’s New Zealanders who will pay the price,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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Release: Anzac Day a time to recommit to veterans

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This Anzac Day, Labour recognises veterans and the service they have given to our country.

“We back the people who have served our country, on deployment or supporting operations here at home,” Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said.

“On this day we recognise the sacrifices they have made and acknowledge there is still work to do.

“Our current system still treats veterans differently based on when they served. The law says that those who served after 1974 aren’t entitled to the same support as those who served before that date, creating a two-tiered system. Meanwhile, in Australia they have a much more consistent veterans’ support system.

“Anzac Day is a reminder that our armed forces serve together, regardless of the decade or deployment. Let’s make sure our support for them reflects that same spirit of unity.

“I know Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Chris Penk shares the same commitment, and I want to reiterate Labour’s willingness to work across the aisle to deliver better outcomes for those who have worn the uniform.

“I remain ready to support meaningful change that gives veterans the support and dignity they deserve,” Greg O’Connor said.

This Anzac Day, Greg O’Connor will attend the Dawn Service and the National Commemorative Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. He will also attend the Atatürk Memorial Service in the afternoon. 

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Release: Govt’s flagship cost of living policy a failure

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After promising $250 a fortnight to many families, the Government has been forced to admit just a couple hundred families are receiving it.

In a response to a written parliamentary question on their flagship FamilyBoost policy, the Revenue Minister has admitted that so far just “249 households have received the full $975 for both Q3 2024, Q4 2024, and Q1 2025.”

“This means only up to 249 families are receiving the full $250 tax cut that Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis promised during the election campaign,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“That tax cut was made up of income tax cuts, plus the FamilyBoost childcare rebate. While many people have found their tax cut was less than promised and is quickly being eaten up by rising costs, now we discover that people aren’t getting as much as promised in childcare either. 

“Nicola Willis promised 100,000 families would get FamilyBoost, but barely half that are actually getting childcare support, and as at 9 April just 249 families have received the full amount over the three quarters since the policy was introduced.

“We’ve been asking the Government to make the policy easier for families to access, because it currently requires families to keep invoices and make claims retrospectively which can be a bureaucratic nightmare for busy parents. We’ve also been asking them to consider an end of year wash-up, so people get what they’re entitled to over the year rather than different amounts each quarter.

“But so far they’ve refused to budge. Costs are piling up on families under this Government and people are not getting what they were promised.

“Nicola Willis needs to stop blaming officials for her own failure to make good on her election campaign promises. People voted for her based on this, she should take responsibility for it,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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