Enrolling now for 2022 Stay close go far

Tui Riesterer - Nursing

“Making the decision to study Nursing as a mature student is a hard call that can have serious ramifications – and very satisfying rewards. It requires preparedness. Prepare to be challenged in your workload, your relationships and your life. Prepare to be inspired - by the tutors, the students and the patients. And, prepare to be successful and rise to the responsibilities that come with that.”

“I had worked in the public service for 10 years before deciding I was ready for a career rather than a job, and to get myself up to speed for studying I began with the Foundation course. Now that I’ve nearly completed my nursing degree, I realise how special the journey has been.”

“One of the stand-outs is the way the course is structured. Each bracket has an over-arching theme so the papers come together really well. Within that structure, the tutors hold us close at the beginning while we find our feet, then they gradually loosen their grip and walk beside us until we’re ready to walk on ahead without them. It’s quite beautiful.”

“The workload is quite intense at times so balancing life and study can be a challenge, and another challenge for me has been myself. I’ve often been in my own way by either over-thinking or under-thinking things but the tutors and the work itself helped me get things back into perspective.”

“The holistic nature of nursing is embedded in the curriculum and it was a surprise to learn social work and personal skills to put in our kete of taonga. We now get to bring - and be - those things in both our work and our families. I loved too that our course includes students from different cultures and we all bring different dishes to feast from at the same table. We lean on each other and to push each other. Sometimes we were in step and sometimes we were off beat, but somehow we all managed to come together in the end.”

“When I graduate, I’m interested in doing further training so I can work in oncology, but in the meantime I’ll continue with my local community work. This gives me creative ideas about how I can best help and maybe I’ll blaze a new trail with these nursing skills. I’m learning that life is about being the best version of you.”

Jody Kelly - Civil Engineering

“I was working in a managerial position with Fulton Hogan and applied for and got a study scholarship. I was going to study business management but my employer suggested the more technical path of Civil Engineering would open more doors.”

“I worked full-time throughout my studies, and I have young daughter, so studying one day a week at NorthTec over four years meant I didn’t have to change my life. I just graduated in March 2019 and couldn’t be happier. I’m glad I stuck it out!”

“Civil Engineering is way more interesting than I imagined and I loved learning new content. Because I was already working in this environment, it all came together for me.”

“I was away from study for 25 years and I was envious of the young ones on that count, but we helped each other and the tutors offered their time generously - even out of class.” 

“Finding the time to study drove me insane sometimes because I didn’t want to compromise time with my daughter, so I had to be strict with my own routine.”

“This study has enabled me to be more authoritative and to make more changes in the workplace. I am now tutoring two of the Civil Engineering papers at NorthTec. I provide live projects for students to report on, and learn all project management principles required when delivering contracts. It’s so nice to give back. I want to encourage others to do this programme of study - and to not let age or gender stand in their way.”