NorthTec
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NorthTec, formerly called Northland Polytechnic is a key tertiary education provider and one of a number of state sector organisations in New Zealand, based in Whangarei, Northland, with campuses in Kerikeri, Rawene, Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Dargaville (see Map). To enlarge the map or any other of the illustrations, click on the icon to the right of the caption.
All the campuses are within easy reach of Northland’s many scenic attractions, including spectacular seascapes, rugged and heavily wooded volcanic terrain, and some of the last wilderness areas left on the planet. Classes are small compared with some lecture groups in other tertiary institutions, ensuring personal attention. Added to this and the milder climate of Northland, NorthTec attracts students keen to avoid class sizes in the hundreds and the wetter and colder conditions further south, especially in Winter. For some, it also appeals as a rural setting, more conducive to study than the larger New Zealand cities. Additionally, all campuses are within easy reach of several beaches and the well-known Bay of Islands, a principal tourist attraction.
As a New Zealand Polytechnic, NorthTec offers a very wide range of learning from university-standard degrees to free community-based courses. It specialises in flexible learning strategies, so that a person can enter with few prior qualifications and provided they make sufficient effort, can obtain a widely recognised degree or diploma.
The degrees are accredited to allow access to postgraduate studies at most universities around the world. Additionally, this polytechnic offers courses contributing to degrees in other institutions such as Massey University with which it has a formal relationship. It also offers diplomas in technical education and skills-based certificates and occupational training. Tutors of diplomas are normally highly qualified and experienced in the fields in which they teach.
NorthTec offers a system of peer mentors to assist students on a one-to-one basis. These mentors are drawn where possible from amongst senior students of similar cultural backgrounds to the students.
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[edit] Composition of the student body
At present (2006), full-time and part-time students number approximately 23,000. As mentioned above, some of these are from further south in New Zealand. A significant number of Northland students start studying elsewhere but return to complete their degrees or diplomas at NorthTec in what they find a more suitable learning environment.
Some 50% of the student body is principally of European origin. Most of these students are from local communities in the North, while others come from elsewhere. A few students also come from Australia, islands in the Pacific, Europe, the USA, the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
About 40% of the student body claims indigenous Māori ancestry. Māori culture is thus an integral part of NorthTec’s activities. This is reflected in part by the presence of a Marae (Māori meeting house) complex on the Whangarei campus (see photograph).
The remaining 10% or so of the student body come from China, Japan, or elsewhere in East Asia. As most of these students do not have English as a first language and are not used to the local culture, NorthTec has an active International Department to assist. This offers tuition in English and peer mentors who either are familiar with the cultures of East Asia or, where possible, senior students of similar cultural backgrounds.
Some 40% of the student body attend classes at the main campus located in Whangarei, about 160 km north of Auckland. The remainder attend the regional campuses listed above. About 23% of the students are distance learners, meaning that they study by correspondence or by the use of modern, web-based technology.
[edit] History
NorthTec was originally founded as Northland Community College. This opened with its own campus in Raumanga Valley, Whangarei, on 1 April 1978. As such, its mission was largely to offer trade and community education. The first Chief Executive Officer was Noel Harrison.
The new college grew rapidly and became instrumental in supplying the New Zealand Oil Refining Company at nearby Marsden Point, with skilled workers. By 1981, it offered more than 50 skills-training courses. In 1983, the college commenced the phased take-over of nurse training from Northland Base Hospital.
In 1989, the Whangarei District Council set up the Northland University Foundation, with a view to founding a university in Northland. To date, this aspiration has been partially fulfilled. Five university-standard bachelor's degrees are offered. Additionally, many of the degree, diploma and certificate courses can count towards degrees at other institutions (see below).
By the mid 1980s, competing private bodies were offering trade and community courses in Northland. This was one factor which led the college to change its product offering to include higher and sometimes more academic tuition. As part of this process, it became a polytechnic in 1988 and took the name Northland Polytechnic for the next 17 years. Later in 1988, it was offering degrees and diplomas of a competitive standard.
In 1990, negotiations were concluded with the University of Waikato, which enabled courses taught at Northland Polytechnic, as it was then, to count towards degrees at the University. By 2006, similar arrangements had been concluded with other universities, most notably, Massey University and Auckland University of Technology.
To support the enhanced level of learning, the organisation went on a world-wide campaign of staff recruiting. It now (2006) has staff with high academic qualifications, including several with masters’ and doctors’ degrees. Quite a number of these come from overseas.
[edit] NorthTec today
Today NorthTec is governed by a Council, which supports the present (2006) Chief Executive, Terry Barnett. The current Council Chair is Jules Flight. By 2006 NorthTec was offering its own Bachelors’ Degrees in the following areas:
- Business Management and Tourism;
- Applied Information Systems (computing);
- Nursing;
- Applied Social Services; and
- Applied Arts.
Subject to demand, it also offers Certificates and one-year and two year Diplomas. A full list of these can be viewed on the KiwiQuals web site by following the link, and entering Northland Polytechnic in the Organisation name field. The general subject areas are as follows:
- Beauty therapy (hair, make-up, nails)
- Boat-building (supports regional boating industry)
- Business and Business Management (commercial and industrial input is encouraged)
- Computing and Administration (supports current administrative practices and procedures)
- Construction (supports the housing boom in Northland)
- Digital Media (provide students with hands on experience in the creation of multi media)
- Engineering (includes automotive, electrical and engineering industry training)
- English Language (intended to assist international students and migrants with English as a second language)
- Environmental Sciences (minimising the adverse effects humans have on the environment and conservation issues)
- Fashion (widely recognised; tuition at the down-town Whangarei Campus)
- Forestry (includes forest harvesting and silviculture)
- Foundation Education (supports students seeking entry to tertiary education without the necessary prior qualifications)
- Hairdressing (widely recognised; tuition at the down-town Whangarei Campus)
- Horticulture (includes land development and use)
- Hospitality and Catering (use of a fully-equipped and functional student restaurant)
- Information Systems and Computing (includes access to well-equipped and maintained computer laboratories; input from commerce and industry are encouraged)
- Māori Studies (embraces both Māori culture and language)
- Massage (trains massage therapists)
- Nursing (Graduates are recognised internationally)
- Performing Arts (introduction to acting techniques and a foundation for further study)
- Science (for lab technicians or field workers)
- Social Work (focus is on putting human science theory into practice in real-life working situations)
- Sport and Recreation (run in partnership with Sport Northland, who provide specialist lecturers)
- Tertiary Education (adult learning and tertiary teaching, including practical skills)
- Tourism and Travel (trains students to take advantage of New Zealand’s growing tourism trade)
- Visual Arts (Computer Graphics, Clay/Glass, Printmaking, Photography and Māori design, Painting and Design)
- Writing (for a living or as a hobby)
[edit] References
- Dougherty, I., 1999, Bricklayers and mortarboards. A history of new Zealand polytechnics and institutes of technology, Dunmore Press, Palmerston North, New Zealand, ISBN 0-86469-346-X.
- Goulter, J., 2004, Whangarei, capital of Northland, Advance Whangarei Limited.
- Northland Polytechnic, 2005, A guide to campuses, courses and programmes, Northland Polytechnic Publication.
- Northland Polytechnic, 2005, Annual report.
- NorthTec, 2006, NorthTec Profile, NorthTec Publication.
