Adrienne Dempsey

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?"

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

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.

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.

Susan Ramsay