Charlie Saumalu: Overcoming challenges to pursue his dreams

Charlie Saumalu's journey to receiving the NZCBIA Excellence Scholarship has been marked by determination and resilience. Hailing from American Samoa, Charlie came to New Zealand on the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) Apprenticeship Programme, which enabled him to pursue his studies in New Zealand. He was initially rejected for the programme but didn't give up. He reapplied and, to his delight, was accepted.

Te Whatu Kairangi – Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Awards 2023 have announced Craig as the winner of the category focused on advancing approaches and outcomes of work-based learning.

Selection Panel Chair, Derek McCormack says, “It was a difficult task due to the quality of the portfolios overall. It is very exciting to hear about the impact that all the nominees are having on learners across the sector.” 

Heart, humor and humility are terms often associated with Craig who joined the whānau at Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka as a plumbing lecturer in 2018.

An internship programme championed by the School of Business has provided an opportunity for Bachelor of Business Students, Rudee Kotcho and Leila Waru (Te Rarawa) to co-lead a unique engagement campaign alongside the Marketing and Events team.

Unitec|Te Pūkenga automotive graduate Jae Kim has been awarded the bronze medal in the Hyundai National Technician Competition 2023, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this week.

Jae was one of only six Hyundai technicians from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand to qualify to compete in the national final, with successful qualification an achievement in itself.