New Zealand students

Meet some Open Polytechnic students.

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    Vinesh Chand

    • Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

    Since he was a child, Vinesh Chand has always been fascinated by electronics. After finishing high school in Fiji, Vinesh moved to New Zealand to complete an engineering diploma. 

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    Michelle Wire

    • Certificate in Tertiary Study Skills (Level 4)

    Michelle Wire wanted a qualification that would kick start her journey towards obtaining a degree, so she chose the Open Polytechnic Certificate in Tertiary Study Skills (Level 4).

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    Jason Pentecost

    • National Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Level 6)

    After 20 years working as a joiner by trade, Jason Pentecost (Ngai Tahu) felt it was time to put a qualification behind his experience and move to the next level of his career.

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    Andrew Wood

    • Diploma in Environmental Management (Level 6)

    Andrew Wood wanted to challenge himself and get back into tertiary study so he enrolled with the Open Polytechnic. He chose the Diploma in Environmental Management as he wanted to study something which was both relevant to his work in the Council and which  would also allow him to further explore his interest in the environment.

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    Crissina Toia

    • New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma (Level 6)

    Crissina Toia’s main motivation in life is her family. So completing her New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) Legal Executive diploma was a proud moment for her.

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    Henry Koia

    • Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management (Level 7)

    Open Polytechnic Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management graduate, Henry Koia, has had an exciting and varied career; one which he believes would not have been possible without his commitment to continued higher learning.

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    Jennifer Dabney

    • Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering)

    Jennifer Dabney has had an interest in civil engineering for as long as she can remember. As soon as she finished secondary school she began study at university but other commitments prevented her from continuing at that time. Jennifer moved on with her life making a promise to herself she would do her degree when the time was right.

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    Charlotte Green

    • Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

    Open Polytechnic Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) graduate, Charlotte Green (Te Aitanga-A-Mahaki/ Tuhoe) says finishing her degree was ‘the best feeling in the world’.

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    Anja Schaar

    • Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
    • Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology (Level 6)
    • Diploma in Organisational Psychology (Level 6)

    Originally from Germany Anja came to New Zealand in her early 20’s and never looked back. 11 years later she’s about to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied

    Science majoring in Psychology at Open Polytechnic’s Wellington graduation Ceremony and knows her future is just starting.

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    Stephanie Browning

    • Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering)

    The drive to succeed and “just keep going” kept Open Polytechnic Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering) graduate, Stephanie Browning,  motivated as she juggled finishing her degree on top of full time work, getting married and having a baby

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    Lucy Hallett

    • Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

    After 13 years managing night clubs and restaurants Lucy Hallett, Open Polytechnic Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) student, says watching her three year old son develop and grow inspired her to want to become an early childhood teacher.

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    Ann-Maree Kingi

    • Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Management)

    A few years ago Ann-Maree Kingi, a Team Leader for a Chartered Accounting firm in the Bay of Islands, realised that to become  a Chartered Accountant she would need a qualification. 

    Graduating with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Management from distance learning provider the Open Polytechnic has taken her one step closer to her goal. 

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    Colin Perkins

    • Diploma in Health and Human Behaviour (Level 5)

    In his job as a Shift Manager at Summit Wool Spinners in Oamaru Colin Perkins works with a wide variety of people. He was keen to progress in his career and gain skills to help him be more effective.

    “I’d had experiences where I needed to help people on a psychological level, but I lacked the skills. So I decided to study to expand my knowledge and to improve my career options.”

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    Dwayne Petricevich

    National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 3)

    Dwayne Petricevich, Te Aupouri, likes having fun, travelling and playing sport. So when he needed to study for his career in the electrical industry he chose distance education with the Open Polytechnic.

    “I wanted to get a qualification that I could use around the world should I choose to travel. I’ve always been interested in this area and this qualification allows me options should I decide to go out on my own later on.”

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    Erica Alefosio

    • New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma (Level 6)

    Erica Alefosio is a firm believer in the power of education to change lives.  She’s studying with the Open Polytechnic to progress her career in the legal profession, and at the same time role modelling good study habits to her children.

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    Hana Whaanga

    • Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 5)
    • Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 6)

    Wanting to get the best of both worlds, Hana Whaanga enrolled with the Open Polytechnic so she could have the freedom to choose where and when she studied while she earned a living doing what she loves, working for the community as a librarian.

    Hana, who is of Ngati Kahungunu descent, first tried studying a different field with a local university.  But attending classes full-time while working part-time took her too far away from her real love of being immersed in the library profession.

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    Helen Howser

    • Certificate in Sterilising Technology (Level 3)
    • National Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 4) - New Zealand Environment
    • National Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 5) - New Zealand Environment

    After spending 30 years working as a theatre nurse Helen Howser decided to follow her interest in education and moved into a job as the Educator at Waikato Hospital’s Sterile Services Unit.

    The job required some additional qualifications, but study had to be fitted around the job and a busy life, so Helen turned to distance study with the Open Polytechnic.

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    Jan Denton and Susan Dixon

    • Out of School Care and Recreation Certificate (Level 4)

    When Papakowhai School took over the running of their after school programme from a private provider it could have been a huge headache.  

    But good planning, great staff, and access to staff training by distance through the Open Polytechnic has seen the programme continue to grow.

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    Janelle Wilson

    • Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
    • Diploma in Applied Mental Health (Level 6)
    • Diploma in Psychology (Level 5)

    When she took up study with the Open Polytechnic solo Mum Janelle Wilson wanted to show her five kids that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

     

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    Jimmy Funaki

    • Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

    Wanting a better education to improve his family’s standard of living and open up his career prospects, Jimmy Funaki took up studies with the Open Polytechnic. After hard work and determination, Jimmy succeeded in his efforts, graduating with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting.

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    Mikala Ebbett

    • Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

    Wanting to upskill and find a career she would enjoy, Mikala Ebbett took on the ambitious task of studying full-time towards a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) while simultaneously raising three boys and working 40 hours a week.

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    Tupaea Teuruti

    • Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Management)

    For Uru, setting goals and achieving them is a skill he’s pleased to have mastered, and the benefits of this will pay off when he graduates with a Bachelor of Business from Open Polytechnic at their Auckland graduation ceremony this month. 

    Uru, a front line Sergeant for New Zealand Police decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Business as he knew it would be useful for both his career in the Police force and also for other jobs in the future. 

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    Nick Hensman

    • Certificate in Manufacturing Jewellery (Level 3)

    Open Polytechnic Certificate in Manufacturing Jewellery (L3) student, Nick Hensman is well on his way to making a significant mark in the jewellery design and manufacturing industry.

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    Pam McKirdy

    • Diploma in Information and Library Studies (Level 5)

    Pam McKirdy wanted a basic qualification in library studies so she could start a new career after taking time out to raise her two now-school-age children. She chose to study with the Open Polytechnic because of the flexibility, and because the papers seemed useful and interesting.

     “I liked that the materials were available in print, not just online. It means I can take my reading to the playground, to work or just work through them at home. And having print materials means I can make notes or highlight points that are interesting or important.”

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    Rankin Young

    • Bachelor of Business (Management)

    Rankin Young decided to study with Open Polytechnic when he realised the managers at his workplace all had a higher education.

    “I’ve always been in the trades – rough and ready – but I realised I wanted something different. I wanted to learn skills that were relevant to the real world and that could help me achieve more.”

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    Rawiri Broughton

    National Certificate in Agriculture (Production Management) Level 4

    With the support of his employer, Rawiri Broughton is combining his many years of practical experience on the farm, and study with the distance learning specialist the Open Polytechnic, to gain the National Certificate in Agriculture (L4) in Production Management.

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    Richard Miller

    • National Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Level 6)

    Graduating with a National Diploma in Quantity Surveying from the Open Polytechnic has helped Richard Miller change his career from carpentry to quantity surveying.

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    Anita Jackson

    • Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering)

    As a child Anita Jackson always wanted to understand how things work. Completing a Bachelor of Engineering Technology with the Open Polytechnic meant that she could align her interests with a career.

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    Mandy Tepania

    Bachelor of Business (Information Systems and Technology)

    New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6)


    With over 20 years’ experience working in administration, Mandy Tepania decided, with the support and encouragement of her family, that she needed to put some qualifications behind that experience.

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    Jared Brown

    National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Electrician for Registration) (Level 4)

    Jared Brown (Ngati Kahungunu) always wanted to be an electrician and knew that a qualification was the only way to make that dream a reality.

    After four years of study his hard work paid off when he received his final exam results for the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering (Level 4).

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    Shannon Reynolds

    National Certificate in Agriculture

    Being able to learn while she earned was a priority for Shannon Reynolds, and distance study through the Open Polytechnic allowed her to do just that.

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    Sharon Mark

    • Bachelor of Arts (Communication)

    A life-long learner, New Plymouth’s Sharon Mark has found a new door opening for her each time she completed a qualification with the Open Polytechnic.

    Originally beginning her learning journey in the 1990s, Sharon then went on to complete an adult education qualification to gain a promotion as a staff trainer and health and safety officer at a local retirement village.

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    Shaun Burnett

    • Certificate in Environmental Management (Level 6)

    Keen deer stalker Shaun Burnett wanted to know more about legislation and how decisions are made in government. So he decided to study for the Open Polytechnic’s Diploma in Environmental Management.

    “I’m really interested in deer and enjoy being involved in the consultation processes with the Department of Conservation, however I wasn’t confident that I knew enough about our conservation framework and environmental legislation.”

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    Skye Magic

    • National Certificate in Real Estate (Salesperson) (Level 4)

    After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Human Anatomy and Structural Biology and a Masters in Entrepreneurship from Otago University, Skye moved to Wellington to start her working career.

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    Tiana Samasoni

    • Diploma in Communication Studies (Level 5)

    Open Polytechnic Pasifika Study Award recipient Tiana Samasoni first started studying with the Open Polytechnic while on maternity leave in 2008.

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    Sandra Johnson

    • Bachelor of Business (Management)

    Sandra Johnson is not a woman that lets anything stop her achieving her goals.

    During her time studying by distance for a Bachelor of Business (Management) with Open Polytechnic she coped with sick children, a flooded basement and a power cut on the night before an exam.

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    Vaughan Nicholls

    Bachelor of Applied Science (Information Systems and Technology)

    Diploma in Information Systems and Technology for Business (Level 5)


    Vaughan Nicholls thought that working full-time and having a mortgage meant his study days were over, however with Open Polytechnic’s flexible study options this hasn’t been the case.

    Instead, studying has given Vaughan an opportunity for a life he didn’t think he’d have.

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    Chrishanthi De Costa

    Chrishanthi De Costa moved to New Zealand from Sri Lanka in 2003, facing the challenges of a new country, new culture and the need to find a new career.

    “I had a degree in engineering from Sri Lanka but I had trouble finding a job in engineering here. So I decided to change career and became a quality assurance analyst.

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