Wintec joins forces with Maniapoto to support learners
The success and wellbeing of Maniapoto ākonga (students) and their whānau, hapū, and iwi is the foundation of a newly formalised partnership between Wintec and Te Nehenehenui, the post-settlement governance entity for Maniapoto.
Wintec and Te Nehenehenui representatives at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae, Wintec City Campus, following the signing of the relationship commitment
Leadership representatives from Te Nehenehenui and Wintec came together to jointly sign a relationship commitment, Te Whakapiringa Pono o Maniapoto me Te Kuratini o Waikato (Wintec), at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae at Wintec’s City Campus last month.
The relationship reinforces the shared value both organisations place on working together to support Maniapoto ākonga.
Samuel Mikaere (left), Te Nehenehenui Group Chief Executive, and Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead, sign the relationship commitment inside wharenui at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae, Wintec City Campus
Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead, attended the signing, putting pen to paper on behalf of Wintec.
“Wintec is humbled that Te Nehenehenui sees value in partnering with us. We are committed to working alongside mana whenua to support the educational aspirations of Maniapoto and local ākonga and their whānau,” said Warwick.
“Education plays an important role in supporting thriving communities, and our partnership with Maniapoto reflects our shared goal of supporting our ākonga to succeed.”
Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead
Samuel Mikaere, Te Nehenehenui Group Chief Executive, shared his thoughts on how the partnership aligns with Maniapoto's long-term vision.
“Our partnership with Wintec reflects the aspirations of Te Kawau Rukuroa [Te Nehenehenui 2050 Strategy] to create enduring opportunities that strengthen Maniapoto identity, wellbeing, and prosperity. By supporting our ākonga into education pathways, we are investing in the future of our people and ensuring that Maniapoto values and mātauranga remain at the heart of their success”.
Samuel Mikaere, Te Nehenehenui Group Chief Executive
The Maniapoto and Wintec partnership has already shown value with the successful launch of Te Huinga o Te Tangata, a mana whenua pilot health pathways programme, earlier this year.
Co-designed and delivered alongside Te Nehenehenui, the Wintec bridging programme supported 15 aspiring Maniapoto Māori health professionals to enter tertiary education, guiding them closer to careers in New Zealand’s health sector workforce.
Te Wai Collins, Pouārahi Māori, Wintec Executive Director Tiriti Partnerships and Māori Success, believes strong and meaningful partnerships with iwi, hapū, industry, and community is vital to providing positive learning and career outcomes for learners.
“Working together with Te Nehenehenui, we’re committed to creating learning environments that incorporate and respect Maniapoto values, mātauranga, and tikanga, enhancing learning outcomes for Maniapoto ākonga,” said Te Wai.
“Te Huinga o Te Tangata is an opportunity to collaborate with mana whenua, and address workforce demand by supporting ākonga from the region to progress into health degree programmes.”
Te Wai Collins, Pouārahi Māori, Wintec Executive Director Tiriti Partnerships and Māori Success
Built on Wintec’s existing foundation pathway programme, the course combined content guided by Tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and local mana whenua narratives, and mixed on-campus, online, and marae-based learning for a rounded and inclusive experience.
The programme will be continued in 2026, with applications currently open for semester one. To register for one of the programme's information sessions, click here.
