Adrienne Dempsey

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

Allan came to TPP in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer. He was Acting CEO from late 2011 until his appointment as CEO in mid 2012.

After beginning his career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he moved to the tertiary world and the University of Otago Clinical School in Wellington in 1978 before going to CIT as Registrar and later Head of the School of Management and Computing. Some eight years was spent as Registrar (COO) at Lincoln University. He then set up and developed the Tertiary Advisory Monitoring Group in the Ministry of Education, working extensively with polytechnics before going into private practice as an advisor on tertiary management and planning.

Allan’s interests are family, gardening and camping in addition to basking in the approval of the family’s two dogs!

Alyson Bone

Aly is responsible for the Finance and HR functions at TPP and is a member of the TPP Management Team. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Aly joined TPP in July 2009 after emigrating from the UK where she worked in the Nuclear Industry managing centralised financial services for a group of companies. While working in the UK she gained extensive experience implementing and managing financial software solutions. Born in Whitehaven, a town on the West Coast of the UK's Lake District she finds New Zealand's West Coast both familiar and different (warmer and with more sunshine!).

Annabel Schuler

Overall responsibility for:
Student support
Maori development
Academic Service and Library teams.
"Happy to help at any time!"

Ashlee Levien

Ashlee has a National Certificate in Business and Administration and is currently studying towards a Certificate in Marketing and a New Zealand Diploma in Business.

She has worked at TPP since 2009 and has thoroughly enjoyed her time here. Ashlee worked in Accounts for the past 2 ½ years as an Accounts Clerk before moving over to the EMSAR team where she is now working as their Department Administrator. Ashlee is enjoying the challenge of supporting a brand new EMSAR team and helping them to establish systems and processes.

Blair Keily

Blair first joined TPP as a student in 2000 studying on the Certificate in Business Computing programme. This study was the first step to graduating with a National Diploma in Business Computing (Level 7) in 2003. Blair then joined the team in the Business Computing department teaching on the Certificate and Adult & Community Education programmes in addition to providing technical support to users as part of TPP’s IT department. Following this experience within the IT department Blair was appointed to the role of Academic Registrar in 2003.

As TPP grew there was a need for a Database Administrator in the IT team to support the growing number of systems and users, Blair was appointed to this role in 2005. As a member of the IT team Blair gained experience in all aspects of TPP’s IT functions, including the development of TPP’s student management system and implementation of new a new FMIS. Following an institutional restructure in 2008 Blair moved to the role of Systems Analyst in the Operations division.

In 2011 Blair was appointed to the role of Chief Information Officer including oversight of TPP’s IT and Registry functions and in 2012 was appointed to the Artena Society Board of Directors.

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 & joiner by trade, Colin has vast experience in the industry. He sent the first 12 years of his trade working for a number of construction firms on the West Coast followed by 16 years with NZ Railways as a carpenter in the signals branch.After leaving NZR, Colin started and managed his own business for five years before joining TPP.

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. Colin also holds a Building Practitioner's Licence in Carpentry and Site 1.

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

Colleen Monachan

Colleen leads the Student Support Services team at Tai Poutini and is responsible for coordinating student assistance across TPP programmes running throughout the country. Based on the Greymouth campus she is the first point of contact for students studying programmes there, providing pastoral care and arranging internal and external help as required.

Management of the Student Support network on the West Coast, and at MAINZ in Auckland and Christchurch is part of her role; as well as working with tutors and programme leaders in outlying locations to overcome any barriers their students face.

Daphne Smithers

Daphne worked seven years at the Greymouth Public Library when she first left school, and worked at various sales and admin positions since then. For over 10 years she owned and operated a successful cake decorating business, and still does a few cakes as an aside. Returning to library work at TPP late in 2003, Daphne has completed the Level 6 Diploma in Information and Library Studies, and is well on the way to achieving a BAppSc with a Library and Information major. She loves her work in the library helping students and watching progress throughout the year – graduations are a favourite! Favourite question: "How can I make a difference?"

Darcy Liddell

Originally from the US, Darcy has lived in different parts of New Zealand since 2004 when she arrived after a year-long OE. She fell in love with the country and a Kiwi who is now her husband. She's only been on the West Coast five minutes but claims honorary coaster status due to the fact her husband, Drew, was born here in Greymouth. Professionally, her background is in organizational development and business process improvement and she has worked in various government organizations throughout New Zealand. In her free time, Darcy enjoys many outdoor activities such as nature walks, kayaking, cycling and feels most at peace on the beach.

Dave Ritchie

Dave Ritchie 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

Dean Hetherington

Dean Hetherington started playing guitar at aged ten and hasn’t ever stopped.

He joined well-known blues band The Coal Rangers in 1995. The band has released three albums with ‘Coast to Coast’ winning a Tui award in 1997 for best country album. The Coal Rangers produced and featured on the soundtrack for critically acclaimed movie Magik and Rose.

Dean is an experienced session musician, has toured all over the world and produced albums for artists like The Coal Rangers and Katie Thompson. He is also an accomplished jade carver and it is fair to say art and music is his life.

As tutor for the Foundation Music programme based in Greymouth, Dean aims to inspire local musicians to a career in the music industry.

Dean Arthur

Dean is EMSAR’s go-to technical rescue guy. He has worked within the outdoor education and safety management, rope rigging and search and rescue training world for over 20 years. Dean has worked for a variety of agencies including DOC’s MT Cook SAR team, Abseil Access Ltd., SARINZ and Full On Ltd. The work has taken him around the world including regular employment as a deep field guide in Antarctica and rope rigging for adventure races in Borneo and China. At home Dean was a founding member of the Tasman White Water Response Team and donates his time training the local volunteer SAR group. Dean sees his new role in the EMSAR team as one of streamlining more crossover and consistency between the many technical rescue agencies, practitioners and rescue trainers in New Zealand. “There has been a lot of amazing work done to bring Technical Rescue Training in New Zealand to where it is. I want to acknowledge this and be part of moving it forward”.

As long as there is a rope or a paddle not far away Dean is happy and is very passionate about seeing others grow their skills and experience.

Derek Chirnside

Derek is based in an office quite close to the Red Zone in Christchurch. His main role is helping staff develop resources to use in their class whether this be weekend workshops, face to face or online. This usually is based around workbooks, but can also be help with resources for blended delivery courses (ie where there is a mix of face to face and online interaction). This can include help with video clip production, online quizzes with Moodle and anything to do with course design. This can be tied in to help with classroom teaching strategies to save time and improve learning outcomes.

Don Stewart

Don Stewart started scaffolding in 1995, worked for RJB Scaffolding in Scotland for 12 years. Worked his way up to the position of Chargehand Scaffolder responsible for various private and public sector jobs. In May 2007 he left the UK and arrived in Auckland. Worked for Acrow LTD in the position of Leading Hand Scaffolder on sites, such as Mount Eden Prison and the refurbishment of Auckland Art Gallery. He joined the Scaffolding Department TPP Auckland in April 2011.
He holds the National Certificate Advanced Scaffolding from TPP.

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!"

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.

Geoff Deacon

Geoff loves skiing.

He was a student on the first ski patrol course in 1995. He then got a job through the work placement I did at Treble Cone Ski Area. He patrolled full time for 9 seasons, then went part time and taught on short avalanche courses for the Mountain Safety Council and Otago Polytech. He has worked in Canada and USA.

He owned and operated a guided kayaking company in Wanaka for 8 years, so patrolling in winter and kayaking in summer fitted really well together.

Geoff has spent the last 22 years working and playing in the outdoors.

He is married and has 2 kids.

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.

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 in top NZ recording studios 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 records and performs with Hello Sailor who were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame in 2011. He is the Artist Representative on the PPNZ board, a Stage Challenge board member and trustee, and is busy with voice-over work.

Hine McLetchie

Ian Hooker

Ian has held senior management and academic roles in three New Zealand Polytechnics. He has also held Director and management positions in several New Zealand commercial organisations.

Married to Karin who has varied teaching experience in primary, secondary and university roles, they have two children, Kirsti, married, living in London, who is a teacher and John, married, living in New Zealand, a senior ski patrol leader and OPC instructor.

Previously, Ian lived in China for five years, working as an Associate Professor International Business and Economics at Nanchang University.

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.

Jacqueline Carlyle-Velkov

Jacque is a Southern Girl from Dunedin where she lived for 26 years before moving to Australia for 5 years where she lived above a café in Carlton, the “Little Italy” of Melbourne. In her former life she worked as a Medical Secretary/PA and Office Manager, beginning with work at the University of Otago and then working for Area Health Boards and Public Hospitals along the way. She has also worked in residential care of IH adults, the elderly and people living with HIV/Aids. She moved back to NZ spending two years in Chch before the Coast called with a lifestyle change. Sick of sick people she made the move to Education and started working for TPP in 2003 as Office Manager. In 2004 she changed roles to PA to the Director (N&I). Jacque enjoys the variety of work and great group of people she works with. Favourite sayings: “How’s the Serenity” and “Why would you live anywhere else?”

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.

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

John Quigley

Originally with the Bongos and Big Sideways, John won the New Zealand Music Award for best song and new group in 1987. These days John continues his passion for performing and writing original acoustic music and songs with his group the Nairobi Trio of which he is a founding member.

John’s qualifications include an MBA and several years teaching experience, and as guitar player and manager for the well known Nairobi Trio, he has the practical experience that MAINZ likes to bring to all its programmes.

Karen Boserio

Boz is Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s ski patrol programme leader in Wanaka.

She has vast amount of experience on the mountain having spent 18 ski seasons ski patrolling around New Zealand, America and Canada. Of those seasons, 10 have involved supervising the local Ski Patrol at Coronet Peak.

As a former manager of the NZ Avalanche Training Program, teacher, workplace assessor and ski instructor, Boz is passionate about the mountains. “At TPP I really love introducing students to the world of Ski Patrolling and interacting with my collegues to ensure the programme keeps delivering on industry best practice.”

Over the past 20 years Boz has enjoyed ski touring in New Zealand, Canada and India as well as working in the outdoor, tourism and snowsport industries. Boz has also worked closely with an associated industry training organisation and has taught first aid courses for St John.

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.

Keith Morfett

Keith was born in England but has called Hokitika home for over twenty years. He has a PhD. in the trace metal chemistry of natural waters, a BSc in Oceanography and Chemistry and a Dip Teach. from Christchurch College of Education. His operational emergency management experience is primarily through a voluntary involvement with Search and Rescue. Keith has been a member of the Tasman Search and Rescue Incident Management Team for over a decade. Tasman was one of the first police districts to adopt CIMS, and Keith has filled the role of Planning and Intelligence Manager during many multi agency and multi period operations. Prior to taking a full time role with Tai Poutini Keith worked as an independent trainer, developer, consultant within the SAR sector. Outside of work Keith is a keen tramper, traveler and fly fisher.

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.

Kim Thomas

Kim has a BSc in Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Geology. She is passionate about search and rescue having first joined a search team as a 19 year old over 25 years ago.

Kim has worked in a number of technical fields including two stints working as a science technician in the Antarctic.

Currently based in Westport she is involved both in Cave SAR and LandSAR as a technical rope team leader and search manager. Her experience in SAR includes time in LandSAR field teams, Alpine Cliff Rescue team, Cave and Vertical Rescue team and search management in both Land and Cave SAR. Kim is a member of LandSAR’s national Search Management Support Group.

Lisa Mellish

Lisa’s background includes training with the NZ Army, team leader NZ Red Cross West Coast Response team, ambulance officer with St John, communications officer Civil Defence West Coast and 8 years experience as an adult education training tutor. Lisa holds certificates and diploma’s in: emergency management, emergency services, welfare, civil defence, information communication technology and adult education and training. When she’s not teaching or volunteering her time to the community, Lisa enjoys running, tramping, and more importantly spending quality time with her whanau.

She is a people person and enjoys helping others achieve their goals, no matter how large or small. Coming from a volunteer Emergency Management background and having the opportunity to work in this field is a dream come true. Her motto is to enjoy life, be true to yourself and treat people how you wish to be treated.

Lisa Crestani

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.

Margaret Bradley

Marg administers the Trades Programmes of Tyres, Carpentry, Automotive, Drilling, Steam School, Trades Academy and does the finances. She also helps with Road Safety which includes Fatigue Stops and other activities.

Maria Martin-Smith

Maria has worked in a variety of different libraries spanning more than 20 years. In 2007, she decided to take a break and went off to art school, obtaining a BFA at the Quay School of Arts in Wanganui. She also won the pattillo scholarship and attained top student, both in her final year. Maria started at TPP in 2010, and works part time at the Greymouth campus, between 3 and 4 days each week. In her spare time, she runs her printmaking studio Black Nugget Press, and enjoys keeping a vegetable garden. Her other main interest is Ballroom dancing, which she says keeps the fitness and mental agility levels humming!

Marja Kneepkens

Marja Kneepkens is Programme Leader for the Westport Campus, and West Coast Co-ordinator with responsibility for developing the Buller Strategy. She is also currently part of the FOG team managing West Coast operations. She has worked in adult education and training on and off for over 20 years and says she her motivation comes from breaking down barriers to tertiary learning and creating accessible pathways for all people, no matter what their goals or learning background.

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 Teaching and Business, and says one of her most interesting roles was 18 months spent developing and implementing a Careers Education programme for secondary schools in the Cook Islands.

When she is not working she is a driver and personal assistant to her children, and loves fishing, whitebaiting, growing herbs, 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 (Level 5) and the Level 3 National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care as part of the Trades Academy at Tai Poutini Polytechnic. She also delivers STAR babysitting course to secondary schools throughout the West Coast.


She has a wide experience in the provision of early childhood education having spent 15 years as an advisor to parents and staff in early childhood centres and playgroups. She brings a global perspective to the role after visiting centres in China, Mexico and Australia, as well as throughout New Zealand.

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

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

Mequa Hourston

Mequa is responsible for the enquiries, sales,marketing and liaison functions at TPP and is a member of the TPP Management Team.

Mequa joined TPP in 2005 after completing her OE.

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 Todd

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 Harris

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 Sargison

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.

Philippa Freeman

Philippa is the Lead Tutor for Business Administration and Computing.

Philippa joined TPP in November 2011. She has worked in various administration roles as well as some technical IT roles, working her way up into an IT management position in Christchurch. She moved to the West Coast for a change of lifestyle and enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with the students here.

Philippa has a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemistry from the University of Canterbury.

When not at TPP, Philippa can sometime be found down at the local working men’s club teaching boxing skills. She enjoys the outdoors, biking and skiing and spending time with her pet pig Arthur.

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.

Ruth Pettengell

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.

Serena Bayler

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

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.

Sue Allard

Sue has always worked in the education sector, as a teacher for a number of years and then in senior management roles in a variety of different institutions - like community colleges, secondary schools, private tertiary colleges and the polytechnic sector. She has also worked in a number of different countries.

Her currentrole at TPP is varied and includes getting the TPP International Strategy up and running.

Susan Ramsay

Tanya Winn

Tanya has been in the emergency management environment for 30 years and brings to the programme a diverse and eclectic blend of experience in all areas of the emergency management framework. This includes emergency planning for local government through to health, a range of front line operational response experience including floods, earthquakes, pandemic, major fires, severe weather and hazardous materials, recovery events including those related to the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria. She has also completed post graduate in Community Development (Emergency Management). Tanya is passionate about delivering high quality industry driven programs that equip, inform and entertain students.

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 Chief of Ngahere Fire Brigade, a volunteer brigade located 20 minutes north of Greymouth on SH7 in the Grey Valley.

Tracey Russell

Tracey is the Programme Leader for Business as part of the Business Development Unit. 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 also holds a National Diploma in Business Administration Level 5 and a National Diploma in Business Level 5 working towards 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.