Toi Ohomai facilitator Wiremu Te Kanawa briefs students arriving for their first week. Photo/supplied
Toi Ohomai facilitator Wiremu Te Kanawa briefs students arriving for their first week. Photo/supplied
Nervous and excited students have officially been welcomed on to Bay of Plenty's newest tertiary education provider.
Several powhiri were held at the Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in Tauranga at its Windermere Campus.
Pōwhiri is a formal welcome ceremony, inviting new students onto the campus and to become partof the Toi Ohomai family. More than 6000 students are already enrolled into semester one.
Director education and Māori development Kieran Hewitson said there was a large student turn out.
"Our pōwhiri are a great way for the staff at Toi Ohomai, along with local kaumatua, to welcome our new students into the whanau," said Ms Hewitson.
"It is always a little daunting for our new students on the first day so the pōhiri is a chance for them to feel welcomed and see some familiar faces or meet new people."
The beginning of the year also signifies the start of a new direction for many students in a range of study areas, including animal care, creative industries, business and engineering.
The bulk of the student body at the Windermere Campus start this week, while the Business School at the CBD-based Bongard Centre start on February 27, in line with the university tertiary year to enable smoother pathway transitions.
