Massey University’s Post

A mentoring programme that connects Māori students with Māori mentors to provide tailored support for their academic journey has helped more Māori students to pass and complete their courses. Last year, the Ākonga Māori Success team started the Kaihāpai mentoring programme to help improve Māori student outcomes within the College of Health, Massey Business School, and the College of Humanities and Social Science. The programme is part of Pūrehuroatanga, a university-wide strategic initiative aimed at lifting student success and ensuring equity and parity for all students, with an added focus on ākonga Māori, Pacific learners, disabled and neuro-diverse students, digital innovation and student journey programmes. Pou Ākonga Professor Dame Farah Palmer says the Kaihāpai programme helps students in a variety of ways. “Mentors provide academic support by working with course coordinators to help identify topics that students struggle with. They can refer students to key services that are available to help them in their academic journey, and they maintain regular contact with students and provide them with a sense of belonging at Massey.” “The Kaihāpai programme has the ability to inspire Māori to do better. It provides mentors with an opportunity to share their experiences, knowledge and successes relating to their journey at Massey University and in tertiary study. The mentors have studied for a number of years or are ahead in their education, so they can effectively share their knowledge and help other students.” Read more here:

🍂 An autumn day on our Ōtehā Auckland campus 🍂 📸 Zoë Rylands

New research by Massey Business School’s Professor Jarrod Haar has revealed one in two workers are reporting severe burnout. The rate of burnout experienced in the New Zealand workforce has risen to a record high of 57%, surpassing levels seen at the height of the pandemic. With a doubling since December 2023, Professor Haar says the burnout risk across the general workforce is not only shocking, but also a critical and dangerous issue for individuals and employers. “Those in the burnout risk category are far more likely to experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as higher levels of insomnia. Employers should also be concerned, as burnt out workers are 16.5 times more likely to seriously consider quitting their job. They are also 28.5 times more likely to engage in poor work behaviours often, including slacking off and not trying. Both of these issues can translate into high costs for employers.” Read more:

60 years after finishing high school, Abraham Paul Tucker (Paul) rekindled his education journey by enrolling at Massey to study a Bachelor of Arts. Yesterday, he graduated with a double major in classics and history. He’ll be 84 this year. The passing of his wife in 2018 motivated him to enrol at Massey. Attending university was something he had always wanted to do. “When I left school I intended to go to university and be a school teacher, until my form master said I wouldn’t be any good, so I had to find a new life. I worked briefly as a banker and then went into building. I built houses and factories and employed about 25 guys at one stage.” When asked about some of the challenges he faced at university, he had just one answer. “Technology was a bastard, frankly. Give me a pen, paper and a book any day.” His advice to first year students is to make friends with the librarians, who he took flowers and baking to on occasion when they helped him out. “I don’t know that I had sufficiently high marks to offer advice… don’t offend the librarians, keep them on side.” Continuing on his educational journey, Paul is now studying a master's in history. “Study has kept me off the streets, I’m just a bit worried I might run out of time. “I think it’s been a pretty productive life, and the degree is just the bonus on top of that.” Congratulations Paul. We'll catch up with you at your next graduation.

This week, Leighton Price graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. “I’d always wanted to work with people and get into the education sector, so it was a fairly straightforward decision for me. “The location of Massey was pretty handy to where I’m from and I’d heard good things from people who’d been through the course.” Leighton would encourage anyone thinking about university study to go for it. “You’ve just got to dig into it. If you want to do it, you’ve got to fully commit to it. It’s worth it.”

Manawatū May Graduation 2024 🎉 More photos over on our Facebook page 👉 https://lnkd.in/g97juNiE

Philanthropist, veteran businessman and esteemed Massey alumnus Bryan Mogridge ONZM has been awarded the university’s highest accolade, the Massey Medal, at Manawatū graduation this week. The Massey Medal, which is reserved for exceptional recipients, has been awarded to Mr Mogridge in recognition of his ongoing commitment to Massey and his enduring impact in multiple leadership and governance roles across the business sector. In the citation presented at the ceremony by Ben Vanderkolk, who was a trustee of Massey University Foundation alongside Mr Mogridge as Chair, he commended his outstanding business acumen. “I enjoyed working with Bryan and found that around the table he is approachable, calm and reflective while determined and acutely focused on the interests of the Foundation – illustrious traits that have undoubtedly distinguished Bryan in corporate life and in charitable service. “We are celebrating not only his remarkable accomplishments but also his enduring commitment to excellence and service in New Zealand and beyond. Bryan’s legacy will inspire future generations of alumni to carry forward the values of Massey, encouraging them to strive for greatness in their own journeys and make meaningful contributions to the world.”

New mum, Brooke Bowes, graduated today with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology. She made the move from Raglan to Palmerston North, a place she had never even visited, to attend Massey. “I moved for uni, met my partner here, and now we have a baby. This is my home.” Brooke sat her final exams heavily pregnant which she says was challenging but her advice to anyone studying is to keep on keeping on. “It gets hard, it does. If you can push through you will get there in the end.” Today, Brooke crossed the stage proudly carrying four week old Nash. As for what’s next, Brooke is now on maternity leave but hasn’t ruled out further study. “After seeing the graduates today of higher up degrees it’s definitely something I can see myself doing. yes. I was very proud for them." Congratulations Brooke.

More than 900 students will walk across the stage at The Regent in Palmerston North this week to confer their degrees across six ceremonies. We’re about to start the celebrations at Whakapōtaetanga Māori, our Māori Graduation ceremony. To those graduating this week, a big congratulations to you! Tino pai tō mahi! We hope you have a fantastic day with your friends and whānau. Tag us in your graduation content @masseyuni or #masseyuni so we can share. We love to see it! If you’re unable to attend in person but still want to be part of the occasion, you can watch the ceremonies live on our video livestream: https://bit.ly/3UDWIoD

Mataaho Collective, made up of four alumni from our Māori Visual Arts Programme Toioho ki Āpiti, including Senior Lecturer Erena Arapere-Baker, has had their work Takapau displayed at the international contemporary art exhibition Venice Biennale. The impressive scale and intricacies of the textile installation have earned Mataaho one of the world's most prestigious art prizes — the Golden Lion. Associate Professor Kura Te Waru-Rewiri says the success of Mataaho is being celebrated throughout the programme. “Mataaho, a dedicated collective of wāhine artists, has globally gone from strength to strength since 2012, and it is with great pride that we Toioho ki Āpiti whānau at home congratulate and share a little of their success with the rest of the world once again. He toa takitini, he toa takimano.” Mataaho Collective’s installation Takapau is inspired by whariki takapau, finely woven mats that elevate and add mana to special events. Described as both immersive and jaw-dropping, it serves as the focal point upon entering the exhibition, guiding visitors through the rest of the show. Read more: