Alex Hayward

Alex Hayward has been employed at the Polytechnic for over 10 years. Initially Alex came from Auckland to run the 2nd year of a two year Chef programme. Alex is the Lead Tutor for the Professional Chef Programme (Culinary Arts).

Allan Sargison

Andrew Kingdon

Annabel Schuler

Bob Gilmore

Bob is a tutor of ICT computing at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

Bob has taught at the polytechnic for 16 years, initially as a casual computing tutor for adult education classes and more recently as an ICT and computing tutor on a range of programmes from Level 2 to Level 6. Bob has in-depth knowledge of this field having worked at the West Coast District Health Board as a PC Support, web developer and a server administrator for ten years. He finds teaching at the polytechnic a rewarding experience. “I feel like I’m making a difference to student’s lives.”

Bob holds an Advanced Certificate in Business Computing and to keep his industry skills up to date he still works on freelance projects with many of the large IT departments on the Coast as well as several long term international projects. He also has a passion for distance learning and incorporating technology to aid students in more remote areas of the West Coast to allow better access to education.

Bob loves cycling, including mountain biking, and photography.

Bruce MacDonald

Bruce is a tutor at Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Digger School in the Manawatu.

Bruce has vast experience in the contracting industry, working for medium to large employers on a range of operational contracts. He’s led teams of men on transport projects and in contract management.Bruce was a self employed earthmoving contractor for fourteen years, contracting to farmers and councils in the Rangitikei and Ruapehu regions.

Bruce holds an Assessor Certificate with InfraTrain New Zealand and national certificates in civil construction supervision, and foreperson skills.

“I enjoy teaching the students stuff that I know and seeing them develop,” says Bruce.

When not at work, Bruce likes to go fishing, play golf and spend time with his family.

Colin McDonnell

Colin Skates

Colin is the lead tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s carpentry programme; a course he has helped develop in the 17 years he has been teaching at the school.

A carpenter and joiner by trade, Colin has vast experience in the industry. He spent 16 years as the carpenter for NZ Railways, before starting and managing his own business for five years.

Colin enjoys the interaction with students, and seeing them attain valuable skills to take out to the workforce.

He holds an Advanced Certificate in Carpentry and a National Diploma in Adult Education and Training.

A born and bred West Coaster, Colin enjoys whitebaiting, listening to Solid Gold Radio, and sports.

Colleen Monachan

Dave Ritchie

Dave Ritchie, our HOD, completed a degree in Physical Education at Otago University back in 1991 and immediately realised he needed to be outside, rather than stuck in a gym. He went kayaking and discovered he was actually rather good at it. Despite now having a family and a desk, meaning less time on the water, he still manages to get out amongst it. He joined Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2006 and is as motivated and enthusiastic now as he ever was. Dave reckons he gets a lump in his throat when he sees students leave at the end of the programme “it’s great to see them develop and mature, they leave brimming with excitement and enthusiasm for their new careers – that’s the real buzz for me”.

David Mason

David was employed in his first role at TPP in 2006 as “Development Officer – Maori Education and Training”. His role changed and developed in 2007 to: “Te Takawaenga/Kohinga Matauranga (Maori Development and Support Officer), Kaiwhakaako (Tutor). His new role is to provide guidance and support for; Maori and Pacific Island students enrolled in programmes and courses at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, ceremonial and other occasions that require Maori protocol and to coordinate the development and maintenance of Maori course content across the polytechnic and throughout Te Tai Poutini.

Dean Thomas

Emmett McAdam

Emmett was employed as a tutor for the digger school in Southland in 2006. He is now the National Programme Leader for Digger Schools and coordinates the day to day provision of Civil Plant Operations training at our Digger Schools nationally. Emmett also works to develop resources and arrange and co-ordinate the offering of Water Reticulation Training in New Zealand.

Evie Green-Thompson

Evie moved from South Africa to New Zealand in December 2007. In South Africa she worked in Government, Health & Welfare, and in admin roles. She is happily married with 2 children and loving her new home. "Coming from a musical family, working for MAINZ is awesome and like coming home!"

Gavin Whyte

Gavin is Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s tyre servicing programme tutor.

He’s a world-renowned expert on tyres, and has been dubbed the “tyre whisperer” by those in the automotive and tyre sector. He’s had 35 years experience in the tyre sector, in many different roles including engineering, sales, operations, training and manufacturing. He’s worked globally in a consulting capacity in mine sites in Mexico and tyre factories in China, and continues to be called upon for this work. He was the general manager of retail chain ParaRubber and export and agriculture sales manager for tyres distributor Tyres4U.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Canterbury, a Diploma in Rubber Technology from Ohio State University, a Diploma in Business Management from Auckland University and a Certificate in Quality Assurance and Statistics from Massey University.

Gavin has written Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Tyre Servicing Programme, and it gives him great satisfaction to teach people the sector and improve practices in the industry.

Outside of the polytechnic, Gavin is sometimes called upon by the police in a consulting role for accident investigations.

Geoff Button

Geoff Button is our Eco Tourism expert and can pick any plant from a hundred paces. Working as a tourist guide for 12 years through the Abel Tasman National Park, South Westland and Kapiti Island has given him a unique insight in to New Zealand’s natural environment. With a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physical Geography, he is well equipped to teach you how to enhance the visitor experience for your clients through interpretation and story telling. Geoff is genuinely passionate about the natural world. “I love to pass on to students the mysteries and the magic of the outdoors,” he says. 

When he’s not teaching, Geoff enjoys cycling, growing vegetables and native plants, and fly fishing.

Gerard Burger

Gerry is the tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Introduction to Civil Construction programme in the Waikato region.

Gerry began his working life as the owner and operator of a 285 acre dairy farm in the Waikato. In 1997, he sold the farm and moved to Hamilton, and worked as a process co-coordinator at Winstone Aggregates’ manufacturing plant. Within eighteen months he was promoted to site manager and increasedplant production by building a secondary processing plant. In 2004 he managed 27 franchisees of a commercial cleaning business.

Gerry enjoys helping students to develop their skills and achieve their career goals. He also has an interest in online marketing and 60's / 70's muscle cars

Greg Lumsden

Greg is a Tutor in Civil Constuction at our Christchurch Digger School, while the Christchurch campus is relatively new; Greg has provided us with experience and expertise to ensure that it develops quickly and efficiently to reach its full potential. The popularity of this course is testament to it tutors as word of mouth has provided invaluable in securing it as a relevant training facility.

Greg Milmine

Greg is the programme leader of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Fall Arrest and Confined Space and Full Cost Recovery course based in Greymouth. The course teaches basic access skills for working in heights, confined spaces, and any work site which involves being on a rope.

Greg was the team leader for The Salvation Army Employment Plus - a programme to help develop people’s skills to enter the workforce - in Oamaru for ten years, responsible for up to four staff, management of outdoor programmes conservation corps and introduction computing programmes. He also worked as an outdoor recreation tutor for Te Mahi O Waitaki Trust for two years; during this time he was involved with the Work and Income New Zealand employment challenge initiative.

He holds a National Certificate in Adult Teaching, and a number of national certificates for health and safety.

Greg relishes the challenge of working in an environment that’s continually changing. “Workplaces, particularly construction sites, are under huge safety regulatory control and pressures. It keeps work interesting to have to consistently adapt to these changes”

Greg is involved in community support groups and the social side of polytechnic life.

He loves the outdoors, the West Coast bush, Hunting, fishing, photography, and greenstone carving.

Gretchen McKinley

Gretchen has worked within the realm of alternative and commercial radio, retail and hospitality. Alongside being the Campus Administrator at MAINZ in Christchurch, Gretchen hosts and produces Girlschool on rdu 98.5FM - Christchurch's student radio station. Previously Gretchen was Programming Assistant for rdu during a very busy transitional time. She worked as a Personal Assistant for BRAT, a support centre for Christchurch musicians, and assisted in the production of BRAT 3, a compilation of Christchurch music. Gretchen has DJed at private functions and enjoys many genres of music.

Harry Lyon

Harry has been a guitar player with Hello Sailor from its inception in 1975 and is a songwriter with credits that include "Lying In The Sand", "Dr I Like Your Medicine", RIANZ Single of the Year (1981), The Legionnaires Top 20 Single "You Bring Out the Worst in Me" and "Muscles", that featured on Midge Marsden's 'Burning Rain' album, on the soundtrack of French film 'Through the Fire' and was a 1991 APRA Silver Scroll finalist.

Harry has recorded at all the top NZ recording studios and has experience in Australia, L.A. and New York, where Sailor mixed an album at the legendary Electric Lady Studios. He worked as a freelance writer and producer of radio and television commercials with the major advertising agencies for clients and squeezed in an acting career, appearing in several TV ads, as the lead male in the feature film "Should I Be Good", shot in NZ, Hong Kong and Thailand, and television productions like "Heroes II", "Plainclothes" and "Hercules".

Outside of MAINZ Harry still performs with Hello Sailor and is busy with voice-over work.

Ian Hooker

Ian Hooker

Ian is the Lead Tutor for the NZ Diploma in Business at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

Ian is well versed on the commercial business environment with more than 20 years experience in executive management positions including in marketing roles and as a foundation manager of a bicycle manufacturer.. He has ten years senior management experience in polytechnics in New Zealand and five years as an Associate-Professor of International Business and Economics at Nanchang University, a leading university in China.

Ian has an MA (honours) degree from the University of Canterbury.

He enjoys seeing the “confidence gained by students on the Dip Bus programme and their achievements in a wide range of workplaces.”

A keen skier, Ian is a regular visitor to Mt Hutt and to London where his grandchildren live.

Ivan Wilson

Ivan is the tutor and co-coordinator of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s West Coast Road Safety programme.
Ivan spent 30 years in broadcasting as an on-air announcer, newshound, and writer for commercials, before coming to driver education.
He’s been in his role since 2002 and enjoys finding creative ways to encourage people in the West Coast region to use the roads more safely.
“It’s hugely satisfying to see student and client drivers growing their skills and confidence. My preference is for a positive, encouraging, environment, coaching is absorbed best when someone is calm and relaxed,” says Ivan.
When not on campus, or out on the road Ivan enjoys trout fishing, pottering in the garden, writing, walking and reading.

Janet Jamieson

Janet is the lead tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s first aid and medic programme.

Janet is well qualified for this role, after 15 years as a volunteer ambulance officer. She has also worked for a community mental health provider as a service co-coordinator and infection control officer.

Janet has worked hard to develop the programme to cater for different industries such as forestry, early childhood education, scaffolding and mining.

She has a Certificate of Adult Teaching and numerous polytechnic level first-aid, computing and health qualifications.

She is passionate about teaching people how to help when an accident occurs. “Unfortunately, often, too many people are scared to try and help in this situation.
I enjoy seeing people get the confidence to try and help each other, should an accident occur.”

When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing reading and catching up with friends.

Jayne Beaumont

Jayne is the tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Jade and Hardstone Carving Programme.

A highly regarded jade carver, one of Jayne’s well known works is an intricate piece of greenstone depicting an ice-axe and rope set against an unfolded map of Mount Aspiring which was presented to former Prime Minister Helen Clark when she left her position as leader of the Labour Party in 2009. Jayne’s Jade Musical Instrument exhibit is on permanent display at national museum Te Papa’s On Line Collection.

Jayne has been in her role for four years, and enjoys watching her students grow and develop as carvers. She has a range of students, from international jewellers who want to know how to incorporate jade in to their work, to people who want to learn it as a hobby.

A skilled artisan, Jayne has also made wedding dresses and spins alpaca fleece and silk.
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Jim Cagney

Jim is the programme leader of the Industry Training department at Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Greymouth campus.

Jim has been involved in industry training throughout his working life. He was a health and safety trainer at major meat companies in New Zealand, and worked for seven years as the New Zealand safety quality manager for the trans-Tasman civil construction company Fulton Hogon. He worked as a volunteer fireman for 23 years – and became the Chief Fire Officer in Seddon.

Jim’s various roles have required him to gain formal qualifications in marketing, health and safety management, and business administration. He holds aDiploma in Adult Education and Training and a Diploma in Export Marketing.

“I’m a people person,” says Jim.“I learn every day, I give every day, and enjoy being interactive with groups. It’s satisfying to walk away at the end of the day and know someone has gained some knowledge.”

Jim is a Justice of the Peace in Greymouth. He enjoys playing golf and tennis and walking his dog after work and on weekends. Jim and his wife love the West Coast and its coastline.

Jo Parsons

Jo Parsons is Programme Leader for the Department, she teaches across many of the programmes though her specialty is whitewater kayak. She’s one of the few women in the country to have passed her NZOIA Kayak 2, she also holds Bush 2 and Rock 1. She started out with a BSC in Ecology at Otago University but found she was drawn back to the Outdoor Education she discovered at high school. “It’s great when you see high school students being taught by our second years and knowing there’s a few of them who will decide ‘I’m going to do that one day’. And they will.”

John Williams

John Williams has been at the Polytechnic since Jan 2005. John worked in the tyre industry for many years as a fleet serviceman then a branch manager and is now Lead Tutor for Tyres

Julie Healy

Julie has been with the Emergency Management Department since February 2007. She came with a wealth of experience and knowledge from the UK, having spent a professional career in the Royal Navy working in the area of telecommunications and administration. Once in New Zealand, Julie gained experience in agency work in and around Palmerston North obtaining the Kiwi knowledge required to make that special person who is often the customer's first contact with the department.

After spending four years as the Programme Administrator, she has now taken the role of Department Administrator, a role she is really looking forward to getting to grips with.

Julie is the driving force behind the office administration. She has completed the LGITO Certificate in Emergency Preparedness, and FRSITO Workplace Fire and Emergency Response Level 2

Kate Holmes

Kate Holmes is the automotive tutor. She is a graduate of the Automotive Programme herself studying at TPP back in 2001. After completing the course she went to work at Grey Ford for five years, finishing her automotive apprenticeship.

TPP was lucky to get Kate back in 2010 when she returned as a tutor after taking time out to have a child. She says she really enjoys her job and it is great being able to hand on her experience to the students.

You will often find her tinkering with her car in the garage or spending time at home gardening and looking after her growing family of animals.

Keith Riley

Keith Riley is our hard core adventure legend. He has been working in outdoor education for 17 years and is one of the few people to gain his NZOIA Level 2 Awards in Rock, Alpine, Bush and Kayak. His adventures are legendary, he spent three months traversing the Southern Alps, was part of the first successful East to West crossing of the Alps by kayak and is still finding and ticking off first descents on the West Coast. Keith is the consummate technician and leads by example, his passion for the outdoors is evident in his own missions as well as the enthusiasm he brings to his teaching. In his time off, Keith competes in reality TV shows.

Kelvin Pou

Kelvin is Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s tutor of its scaffolding department in Wellington.

Since 1989, Kelvin worked for Pyradeck Scaffolds, primarily in the role as Lead Hand. He supervised crews and lead major construction jobs in Auckland and Wellington, including The Majestic Centre and Holiday Inn in Wellington, and the Microsoft building and Eden Park in Auckland.

He has also worked as a scaffolder for Big Primate Pictures on King Kong, directed by internationally acclaimed New Zealand director Peter Jackson.

Kelvin enjoys teaching his students and seeing the next generation grasp the skills of the industry.

When he’s not at the polytechnic, Kelvin likes to play tennis, and spend quality time with his family.

Lisa Mills

Lisa has been employed by TPP since October 2006 when she started as the Academic Adviser for National and Industry, working with staff on their Curriculum Documents and other quality management projects, before moving into her current role as HR Manager.

Lynette Panther

Lynette has been at Tai Poutini Polytechnic since 2004 as Tutor of the Hair, Beauty and Grooming programme. Lynette loves her job, with the most important part for her being the students. Lynette believes in treating the students the way she hopes they will treat her, which is why she gets so much respect from her students.

Marja Kneepkens

Marja Kneepkens is the programme leader for the Westport Campus. She has managed adult education and training programmes in Westport for over 20 years and says she still gets a buzz out of seeing people who are the most disadvantaged in the labour force get ‘turned on’ to learning, gaining qualifications they never thought were achievable.

During her career she has also developed training materials, been a secondary school teacher and adventure tourism tutor. Marja has a Bachelor of Social Science and Diplomas in both Teaching and Business and says one of her most interesting roles was 18 months spent implementing a Careers Education programme in the Cook Islands.

When she is not working she likes spending quality time with her children, fishing, whitebaiting, gardening, playing competition pool, and anything else that gets her out of housework.

Maureen Simpson

Maureen is the tutor of the New Zealand Certificate in Nanny Education at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

She has vast experience in early childhood education, having spent fifteen years as an adviser to parents in an early childhood centre. She also was an adviser for parent groups in school halls around the West Coast. She brings a global perspective to the role after attending early childhood education conferences in China and Mexico.

Maureen enjoys her work where she gets to know an enthusiastic group of students each year and has the opportunity to work alongside families from around the West Coast.

She loves seeing her students develop and move on to a variety of positions after graduating.

When she’s not at work, Maureen enjoys quilting and exploring the historic places around New Zealand.

Max Tuilau

Max is the lead tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Southland Digger School. Max has been a tutor at the school since 2007.

He spent 25 years years as drainlayer, rigging and dogging (guiding cranes), and as a welder. He was the shift boss in charge of crew of about 25 peopleduring the construction of the second Manapouri Tailrace Tunnel – a tunnel which carries water for the underground Manapouri Power Station. He was also the foreman of a major construction project at the country’s biggest milking plant, the Fonterra Edendale plant in Southland.

After a career which has spanned many manual disciplines, Max says he finds teaching at the polytechnic to be his most rewarding job so far.

“The civil construction industry offers a lot to those willing to learn and I’m keen to help get people into the industry,” says Max.

He enjoys playing guitar and is a keen follower of many sports.

Merrie McDougall

Merrie has worked at MAINZ for several years, initially as the Office Co-ordinator, and this year as Marketing Co-ordinator. Previously has worked in administrative roles combined with both teaching and playing various instruments. Currently she sings 4-part harmony with friends.

Michele Cox

Michele is the Programme Leader for Civil and Mining at Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

Michele has had a diverse and varied career prior to joining TPP in 2008. Previously working in the accounting and finance field and also being self-employed, Michele opted for a lifestyle change and moved to the West Coast from Christchurch where she now lives on a lifestyle block at Mahers Creek.

Michele holds a National Diploma in Business and puts those business skills to good use as programme leader for Civil and Mining and has also completed a National Certificate in Adult Education and Training.

Michele very quickly learned about the civil construction industry (living with a roading engineer has helped) and has been involved in the drilling programme since its inception. She is passionate about seeing this programme succeed and the difference it has made to the lives of the students who have graduated with their TPP and National Certificates in Non-hydrocarbon Drilling.

In her spare time Michele loves spending time in her garden, with her family, travelling and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle the West Coast has to offer.

Moira Cossar

Moira was employed by TPP in March 2007 as Programme Co-ordinator for the Preparation for Tertiary Studies Programme which commenced in July 2007. This programme is aimed at second chance education for parents of young children. Moira has been involved with second chance education for the past eight years. She continues to develop this programme as well as adding her experience to developing literacy and numeracy programmes.

Murray Black

Murray started at TPP in March 2007, working as an automotive tutor, running STAR, Grey High School Night School and Mainstream programmes. Murray had worked for Tai Poutini in the past as a casual tutor and proved so valuable we kept him. Murray is another committed and determined member of a strong automotive team.

Neil Matthews

Neil is a scaffold tutor at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, and runs courses around the central North Island.

Although based in Tauranga, Neil travels extensively throughout the central north servicing the needs of many students and scaffolding companies.

He’s worked as a scaffolder since 1993, in the construction and residential sector. Some of his major jobs have included constructing grandstands for the Hamilton V8 series, and working on
petro-chemical sites around the central north island.

Neil holds a National Certificate in Adult Education and National Certificate in Advanced Scaffolding from Tai Poutini Polytechnic.

“I get a lot of satisfaction seing the guys come through and get qualifications. It’s nice to see them walk away with a qualification which opens some windows for them,” says Neil.

When he’s not teaching, Neil likes to spend time with his five children, and ride his motorcycle on a Sunday afternoon.

Nigel Tawhai

Nigel is the tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s digger school in Invercargill. He teaches the Introduction to Civil Plant operations programme.

Nigel’s career began as a construction labourer, operating earthmoving machinery. He went on to develop his skills and experience on a range of earthmoving machines, on a variety of construction sites such as roads, overlays, repairs, bridges, subdivisions and bulk earthmoving. Nigel worked in six mines within Western Australia operating plant machines building mud lakes, sewage ponds, and working in extractions, and quarries in open-cast and closed-cast mines.

“After 25 years in the industry I am now passing on my knowledge in the industry tutoring new recruits. One of the reasons I choose to go down this path was that I was sick and tired of people making mistakes on machines,” he says.

When he’s not working, Nigel spends time with his young family.

Pat Russell

Pat joined TPP after a long career in teaching. She has had a variety of roles within the institution. Her current tasks are wide ranging, from responsibility for the farm, the Reefton campus, surface extraction here, trouble shooter to boiler operator, student support, in other words getting done whatever needs to be done. She is a partner in a farm and has an interest in horticulture, hence the involvement in the development of these programmes.

Paul Neilson

Paul is the tutor of the Surface Extraction course at the Reefton Digger School.

Paul has extensive experience in both underground and surface mining. He has worked at the Solid Energy Spring Creek underground mine near Greymouth, and worked on gold recovery around the West Coast of New Zealand.

“I enjoy my work and interaction with the students, who come from a diverse background.The mining industry is a growth industry and the training we provide suits entry into the industry,” says Paul.

Paula Roberts

Paula Roberts is our Rock and Mountain guru. She’s come to us from Twizel, where she has worked her summers as a Mountain Guide at Mt Cook and her winters ski patrolling and heliski guiding based in Methven and the USA. While her favourite place to climb is in Darran mountains in Fiordland she’s come to the Coast for the opportunity to share her passion with others. Tough and no-nonsense she’ll push you to do things you never thought you could – in the end you’ll thank her for it.

Phil Johnston-Coates

Phil Johnson-Coates has worked in adventure tourism and outdoor education for over half his life. He is a former Outward Bound instructor and runs our adventure based learning and teaching programmes including raft guiding, whitewater kayaking and rock climbing. With his NZOIA in Kayak, Rock and Bush 2, and a degree in Business Administration Phil is able to bring 'real world' economics and small business concepts into his teaching. His energy is infectious and if things are ever looking bad he brings out his harmonica – it’s the secret weapon that never fails to deliver.

Phillippa Freeman

Phillippa will be joining the Business and Computing team as Lead Tutor Business Administration and Computing on 14 November 2011.

Pic Neilson

Pic became a member of the Tai Poutini Polytechnic staff in 2008, her role as Disability Co-ordinator sees her striving to provide a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students. Pic brings a great deal of experience to her position and we look forward to watching her grow and develop within TPP.

Reece Bryan

Reece is the lead tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Christchurch Digger School where is the tutorfor the Introduction to Civil Construction programme.

Reece has wide ranging experience in the construction industry. He spent three years working on earth moving machines in the Royal New Zealand Engineers, a division of the army. The next 16 years were spent working on a range of civil construction projects including: demolition, subdivisions, roading, and hillside excavations.

“I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges tutoring has to offer and the chance to help students find their way into an industry that has been such a big part of my life to date,” says Reece.

He lives in Christchurch, but as a born and bred West Coaster, he loves to regularly return to the Coast for hunting trips.

Rick King

After 25 years in the industry, working for West Coast building firms and then on to working for himself, Rick has been a Carpentry tutor at TPP since the start of 2005. He looks after the yearly building project and workshop side of the programme. As a hands on tutor Rick is successful in effectively installing an eye for detail and effective work ethic in his students.

Samuel Blight

Samuel has functioned in many roles at Tai Poutini Polytechnic including student, Tutor, Programme Co-ordinator, IT Manager, Director West Coast and now Planning and Projects Manager. Samuel studied Business Computing at TPP and had roles in private sector accounting and IT before being employed at TPP.

Sandy Davy

Sandy Davy is the administrator for the Business and Computing Department. She handles enquiries, enrolments, results, updating material for courses and anything else that comes up in her busy day.
When her children started school Sandy decided to do some study so began studying at Tai Poutini Polytechnic for her Business Administration Level 4 qualification. We liked her so much we offered her a job and since then she has held various roles helping with Industry Training programmes before obtaining her current role.
She says she loves her job as it is fun, interesting and challenging work and the people are friendly. When she’s not working you will find her cheering on her kids when they play rugby and league or reading and watching movies.

Selena Beattie

Selena completed the Diploma in Audio Engineering and Music Production at MAINZ Auckland in 2008, and became part of the MAINZ Administration team that same year.

A reluctant Aucklander, Selena splits her time between Palmerston North and the "big smoke". Selena is now the Student and Library Support Co-ordinator at MAINZ, and enjoys encouraging students to make the most of their time in this dynamic environment.

Shane Andrews

Shane is the programme leader at Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s School of Civil Construction and Mining in Christchurch. He joined the team in 2006 and works hard to develop and promote the growth of this great programme.

Shane was in the army and as part of his job taught students to set booby traps, construct bridges, and construct mine fields. He then went to work for a civil construction company, and later was a tutor at infrastructure, mining and transport company Gough Group.

He holds a National Certificate in Adult Education and Teachingand a National Certificate in Civil Construction.

Teaching is Shane’s passion. “The partnership between a tutor and a student can be a powerful and motivating force for both. We learn off each other.”

The civil construction industry urgently wants new and eager workers to fill a void in their aging workforce, Shane believes. “We will give you the wealth of our experience after years within the industry, along with interactive teaching sessions and a hands-on approach.”

When he’s not teaching, Shane enjoys gardening, fishing, sports and spending time with his family.

Sharon Ransom

Shar is Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s tutor of the Pre Health Science Programme.
Shar has extensive experience and skills in the health field. She began her career as a primary school teacher, then spent ten years with Plunket as a Nurse and a Clinical Leader on the West Coast before moving into the role of Child Protection Co-ordinator for the West Coast District Health Board.

“The growth and confidence I see in my students, plus the satisfaction of seeing graduates pursuing their career goals is extremely rewarding,” she says.

Shar is a board member of family social support organisation Focus Trust.

Sharron Wright

Shelley Evans

Stephen Gillespie

Stephen is a tutor at Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s digger school in Greymouth.

He has vast experience as an operator of machinery, including diggers, trucks and loaders. Stephen has also worked as a meatworker, and a cattle herder at the meat works.

He holds a National Certificate in Civil Plant Operations and a National Certificate in Adult Education and Learning.

He loves teaching at the polytechnic. “It’s one of those jobs that you know you’ve got right when you see the students are smiling and happy.”

In his spare time Stephen restores old cars, and works on the landscaping of his property.

Tom Daly

Tom is the lead tutor of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s Greymouth-based Civil Quarrying and Mining programme.

Tom spent three years as an underground miner at Solid Energy’s Spring Creek mine, near Greymouth. He worked for four years as a truck driver around the West Coast driving a range of vehicles, including six-wheeler and eight-wheeler trucks, bulldozers, and excavators.

“I love teaching and passing on knowledge to people, and seeing them succeed. My motto: If you want to listen and learn, I’ve got the time and patience,” says Tom.

He is the Fire Chief of Greymouth’s Fire Brigade.

Tracey Hampton

Tracey is Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s business and computing programme leader. She manages training in Health and Safety, First Line Management, Adult Education and Business.

Tracey has had a rich and varied career. She owned and managed a craft and giftware store in Reefton for four years, and was the assistant manager of a busy visitor’s centre.

She holds national certificates in Tourism, Employment Skills, Extractive Industries, Adult Education and Business Administration. She is currently working towards a New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6).

Tracey has been employed at Tai Poutini Polytechnic since 2004 in various roles including as a receptionist and a tutor on the Business Administration and Computing programmes. She loves helping students achieve their goals.

A Reefton resident for most of her life, Tracey enjoys gardening, quilting, knitting and photography.

Vadim Spice

Vadim is the Head of Department of Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s (TPP) national scaffolding programme, and manager of the Auckland campus. Vadim oversees the polytechnic’s scaffolding courses in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Tauranga and regionally.

Vadim was born into the world of scaffolding and is one of seven brothers, most of whom work in the trade industry. He worked for the family business for a number of years in the commercial and residential sector, working his way up from laborer to advanced scaffolder.

Vadim has worked tirelessly to develop TPP’s training programmes here and in the Middle East, where he helped establish a campus in Doha.

An advanced scaffolder, Vadim also has good knowledge of construction, height safety and crane skills and holds a National Certificate in Adult Education and Learning.

He is passionate about maintaining the high standards of TPP’s scaffolding programme, including keeping in touch with the industry and key stakeholders.

When not at work, Vadim enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Warren Smith

Warren started at TPP in 1998 as Automotive Tutor and Programme Coordinator while also becoming the First Aid tutor. He has now moved on to the position of Head of Department of Automotive Engineering, helping to look after the Automotive, Tyres, First Aid, and Driver Education programmes. He still sees himself as a motor mechanic at heart, working on projects at home.

Warrick Price

Warrick previously worked for a private education provider, Trade and Commerce in Levin as the programme manager for Course Xtreme, a youth course that offers the students employment skills and NCEA level 1&2. He has been running this course in Levin for the last 6 years and managed a small campus with 5 staff.
Warrick has qualifications in: Diploma in Adult Education-Level 6, Certificate 4098 Assessing in the work place, Diploma in Outdoor Leadership, Certificate in Search and Rescue, Current MSC Outdoor First Aid Certificate.
He is a volunteer with Horowhenua Search and Rescue Group and has been in this group for 20 + years. Currently he is the Vice President Adviser to the police and Group representative to the National organisation, has recently been selected for the National SAR group and also works very closely with the Mountain Safety Council helping to run courses introducing beginners to the bush in a safe and supported environment. He is a qualified Bush 1&2 Instructor and helps run a variety of courses for the public.