Whitireia music students and Tawaroa Kawana  from New Zealand’s Got Talent 2012, came together this week to practice and record, all in one day, a waiata written and produced by Tawaroa, for Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. 

The waiata, Arohatia tō reo, Love your Language, will be released on 1 July by the Māori Language Commission as part of the official launch of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week.  It will form part of a campaign aimed at celebrating te reo Māori.

Whitireia music students Tuhan Tauira on bass, Ben Casbolt on drums, Lee Pryor on keyboard and Eli Ropata on guitar along with Roimata Neilson, Chad Va, Ihaka Tukapua and Rose Hanify as back up vocals, completed the music arrangement.

This has been a great collaboration opportunity for Whitireia staff and students said Gloria Hildred, Head of Music at Whitireia.  “It has provided the students involved with an opportunity  to showcase their talents and for them to put into practice what they have been learning on their music programme.”   John O’Connor, a Whitireia music staff member and music student Jake Foster engineered the recording while Phil Hornblow, another Whitireia music staff member took care of the music arrangement.

Working with Whitireia on the recording of this waiata has been great said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Chief Executive, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.  “I am really impressed with the talent of the students and how well they have worked with Tawaroa and his waiata.  It’s all just come together, its been great and exciting to work together on this.”

The aim of the waiata is to reach a rangatahi – a youth audience, with the hope of inspiring them to learn the Māori language.  The waiata has been recorded entirely in te reo Māori.

This year marks the 38th anniversary of Māori Language Week which started in 1975.
 

A University of Canterbury (UC) PhD student has created an app for businesses seeking temporary employees.

Jess Templeton has produced phone app tempME, which increases flexibility and accessibility of recruiting temporary staff.

The app is for firms seeking professional temporary staff of all levels and disciplines within any sector.

TempME is a web-based application developed as part of the annual $75,000 Entre business competition.

Entre is a student-founded ideas competition that sees young hopefuls put their business ideas to the test with the help of mentors and business connections. Guest judges include Icebreaker innovator Brian Brackenridge.

Templeton, who is studying at UC, has just moved back to Christchurch after working with New Zealand's leading oil and gas company. She created the app with student Kieran Robinson. The app removes potential inefficiencies of the conventional temporary recruitment process and the ongoing need to employ a recruitment agency for acquiring temporary workers.

``The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says 9.4 percent of the New Zealand workforce are temporary staff. Sixty percent of those surveyed said they prefer temporary assignments as it provides various opportunities to up-skill quickly and reduces boredom.

``Our tempME app will serve as a live interface between employer and employee. The Christchurch rebuild has generated a number of temporary assignments for tradesmen and contractors. Our initial customers will be traffic management, carpentry and electrical based firms who are limited on labour.

``We will focus on a select few companies in the construction sector initially to establish a positive reputation and a working example of our product. Manufacturing and retail organisations are known to have seasonal or peak periods.

``Companies may also utilise this product for their pool of casual and fixed-term employees. There is potential to move into the unemployment market, where Work and Income beneficiaries could register their skills, qualifications and previous training on a database which would recommend registered tempME companies.

Templeton, who is researching enterprise architecture, sees her postgraduate study as the next step towards achieving her goal of becoming one of the most influential Maori leaders in her industry.

She aims to accelerate her professional development and provide effective leadership in the Maori community around future infrastructure systems.

Eighty young and hungry entrepreneurs, who may one day shape this country’s future economic landscape, are set to converge in Auckland next weekend to test their business acumen and take part in two international competitions; the New Zealand heat of the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) and the Global Enterprise Challenge.

The students, aged between 16-18 years, will take part in the Young Enterprise Trust’s ‘Enterprise in Action’ weekend, which will be formally opened by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce.  The stakes are high, as the students are vying to win one of six places on the New Zealand team to compete at the FedEx/JA ITC Asia Pacific Final in Hong Kong in August. 

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has sponsored the FedEx/JA ITC for the past five years in New Zealand.  Since 2007, the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge has benefitted more than 8,000 students in nine Asia Pacific countries, including more than 240 students from schools throughout New Zealand, with invaluable insight into global trade.

“New Zealand has produced many entrepreneurs who have created successful global brands, and the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge aims to support that tradition by providing a platform for our next generation to learn about international trade and prepare themselves to compete on a global level,” said Kim Garner, managing director, FedEx Australasia.

“FedEx believes it is paramount for companies, especially the local small and medium-sized companies, to be global in their outlook. As budding entrepreneurs, these students need to develop a global mind-set and understand the economic, social and cultural complexities of different countries to be successful on the global stage.”

In the FedEx/JA ITC challenge, students are placed in teams and tasked to develop a market entry strategy for a prototype product or service and present it a multi-media format—all within a few hours.  A judging panel comprising business leaders and past challenge winners will evaluate the projects and select the six winning students.

Before heading to Hong Kong, the six will participate in a two-day training workshop in early August at the FedEx facility in Auckland to prepare them for the Asia-Pacific regional final later that month.

To qualify to attend the weekend, all students must be taking part in The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme, which sees them create and run a new business for a year. More than 500 new businesses have been created this year through the programme.

Terry Shubkin, CEO of the Young Enterprise Trust, said, “Our Enterprise in Action weekend is an incredible opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to put the business skills they have been learning from the programme to the test in a real pressure cooker environment and take part in two very prestigious international challenges.  We’ve had tremendous support from the business community who see this weekend event as a way of nurturing the future business minds of tomorrow.”

Minister Joyce, who also holds the Science & Innovation and Tertiary Education, Skills & Employment portfolios, is the guest of honour at the Enterprise in Action weekend. 

ENDS
Key dates Enterprise in Action and FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge:
Stage 1, 15-17 June 80 NZ students compete in regional heat at Massey University Albany, Auckland
Stage 2, 3-4 August Team NZ attend a two-day workshop in Auckland to hone their skills for the FedEx ITC Asia Pacific Final
Stage 3, 19-21 August   Team of six represent NZ in Hong Kong at the FedEx Asia Pacific finals

About Young Enterprise Trust and Global Enterprise Challenge
Young Enterprise Trust has been working with schools throughout New Zealand for over 30 years. It has a range of enterprise education programmes and financial literacy resources available for students of all ages. The Trust is a registered charity and in 2012 connected with more than 50,000 students.

About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories.  FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee*.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $44 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  FedEx press releases are available on the internet at news.fedex.com
 

An interactive and informative education workshop has been announced as a key part of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) conference to be held in Queenstown on June 13 and 14 2013.

For the first time, part of the conference will be dedicated to education and training in an effort to increase the number of people looking to become Quantity Surveying professionals.

The free workshop will be held at Hilton Queenstown on June 14 June and is open to school age students considering a career in Quantity Surveying and those in the construction industry keen on a change of vocation or looking to up-skill.

The one and half hour seminar will include an introduction to quantity surveying, question and answer sessions with influential leaders in the industry and an informal element where attendees can spend one-on-one time with exhibitors and businesses.

Presentations by lecturers and students from Otago Polytechnic and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology will also outline education opportunities available.

Refreshments will be provided and attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing James Young at j.young@rawlinsons.co.nz or call 03 477 6369 before 10am Monday 10 June 2013.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, the keynote speaker at the main event, said Quantity Surveyors played an ‘increasingly important’ role in building and construction.

“The Canterbury rebuild is a massive undertaking, and large numbers of Quantity Surveyors will be needed to ensure the rebuild is cost effective and accurately accounted for,” Mr Williamson said.

NZIQS conference committee chair and Registered Quantity Surveyor Mick Moffatt said it was important “now more than ever” for the industry to come together and promote the profession as a career.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for students in Years 11-13 to ‘pick the brains’ of some of the industry’s best Quantity Surveying professionals and education providers,” said Mr Moffatt.

“There may also be carpenters and others working in construction who would like to find out more about re-training or who’d like to become formally qualified.

“A career in construction is an exciting opportunity and can lead to a successful lifelong occupation which may lead to travel and prospects.”

The national symposium at Hilton Queenstown will attract over 150 professionals working in all areas of the construction industry -- not just Quantity Surveying -- and Queenstown is hosting the event for the first time since 2003.

As a ‘nod’ to the Christchurch earthquakes and the subsequent changing nature of construction in New Zealand, the theme of the conference is ‘Shaken Not Stirred – A Solid Foundation for the Future’.

Other prominent keynote speakers include former head of the Serious Fraud Office and current Queenstown Lakes District Council CEO Adam Feeley, Peter Degerholm, an expert in the Construction Contracts Act, Bruce Collins QC, and Paula Hugens, managing director of sustainable and passive house design company Green Being.

Former New Zealand Olympic Chef de Mission Dave Currie will also be a major drawcard at the event.
Ex-New Zealand cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee, regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders in cricketing history, will attend the James Bond-themed Gala Dinner on the final night and regale guests with anecdotes from his extensive international career spanning four decades.

About the NZIQS

The New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors, based in Wellington, is run by a national committee of elected Quantity Surveyors who provide support to its members, and promote the highest ethical and educational standards for the profession of quantity surveying. The organisation also acts as an advocate for all quantity surveyors on construction industry and quantity surveying education issues nationwide.

The Council of Educational Facilities Planners International (CEFPI) held its annual Australasian conference in New Zealand for the first time last week, attracting delegates from around the globe. Built around the theme of ‘Disruption’, the conference focused on innovation in response to change, with the Christchurch earthquakes as a major catalyst for rethinking how learning space design can support student learning.

Conference Chair, and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Academic Director, Dr Helen Anderson said the conference brought together 365 people dedicated to student learning who were practicing the business of developing educational facilities that best support pedagogies of the future.

“The conference offered keynote speakers of international repute, site visits to a wide range of innovative facilities as well as up close engagement with educators, researchers and designers,” said Dr Anderson. “All keynotes were asked to host workshops and round table discussions to foster debate; this was a highlight for many.”

The traditional classroom is rapidly losing its relevance in 21st Century learning. Designing learning spaces that support and foster the expected learning outcomes defined in current and future curricula is a new and challenging approach.

The Christchurch earthquake has provided an unexpected opportunity for educators in that region to rethink the impact of learning spaces before rebuilding begins.

“The appalling human cost of disaster events must give rise to new, better ways of learning,” said Dr Anderson. “When facilities have to be refurbished or replaced, everyone involved has an obligation to ensure that the new spaces are better and not a clone of the past.

“To teach our students to be self-directed and global we need a different kind of space. Locally, Papamoa College has an interesting space that transcends traditional learning. Otumoetai College are about to undergo an extensive refurbishment which provides an exciting opportunity for them to support learning intentions and outcomes with matching learning spaces.

“Here at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic we are engaged in leading edge activity through design. Our Student Learning Commons promotes an experience that best prepares students for their future. We’re also in the process of building a Campus Development Plan which provides another opportunity for us to engage in creating learning spaces for the future.

“If we resist change or fossilise past practices we don’t do the best for our students. Education is fundamentally about change and educators have a responsibility to ensure our students have the best possible education for their futures.”

The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has been working together with the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to bring its leadership and management courses to the Queenstown campus at Remarkables Park and will next week (June 4 and 5) hold information sessions for local businesses and individuals.

AUT currently offers two courses in Auckland, the Innovative Leaders and Authentic Leadership programmes, which are three-month ‘while you work’ modular courses open to any individual.

The Innovative Leaders course covers topics such as strategy (including strategic thinking), change, finance, operations, marketing, people, and governance.

The Authentic Leadership programme includes understanding the difference between leadership and management, structuring a personal development plan, learning about personality differences and how to build and maintain an efficient team.

AUT Executive Education Manager Russell Harray will present the courses to interested local businesses.

“Not only are these sessions an opportunity for businesses and leaders to find out about the courses, but perhaps more importantly to discuss and contribute to course content,” said Mr Harray.

“That way we’ll ensure the Queenstown versions of the courses will be unique to local businesses, and tailored and adapted to fit their needs.

“We want to hear from local businesses, leaders and middle to senior management on what their learning requirements are, so we can adapt and match the courses to these needs.”

Interested businesses and leaders are invited to attend one of two sessions being held at the Remarkables Park campus at 4pm on June 4 and 10am on June 5 and should contact Pam Hulls on 0800 40 FEES for details or email pam.hulls@sit.ac.nz

Radio Training School graduates have won again at this year’s New Zealand Radio Awards. 

Gary Pointon has picked up the Best New Broadcaster – Promotions award while Laugharne Kemp has picked up the Best New Broadcaster – Creative + Technical award.

Both of these students studied at the Whitireia Media Training Centre in Wellington over the last two years and have worked extremely hard at their craft.  “We’re over the moon for them said Jono Manks, Programme Coordinator, New Zealand Radio Training School at Whitireia. “Being recognised at these industry awards will set them up well for their careers in radio”.

The annual Radio Awards acknowledge on air-personalities, programming, news and sports reporting, promotions, creativity and production, sales and community involvement. A special recognition award along with awards for services and contributions to radio were included this year also.  Over 60 radio broadcasting personalities received awards.

This is the second year running that our graduates have dominated the Best New Broadcaster category at the Radio Awards said Manks.  “Last year saw Libby Greatbatch winning the Creative +Technical category as well as the overall prize.”

Another graduate of the Radio Training School was recognised recently at the 2013 New Zealand International comedy Festival Awards.  Tim Batt picked up awards for Creative Marketing of a show and Best Newcomer (Auckland).  Along with his stand-up comedy show Unified Theory, Tim still puts his radio skills to good use, producing the Radio Hauraki Drive Show.

The New Zealand Radio Training School is owned by Whitireia New Zealand Limited. It offers a six month, full-time programme in Commercial Broadcasting from its Media Training Centre in Wellington City and from its campus in Auckland. Starting in July is the new Diploma in Radio Journalism, a one year full-time programme offered from the Media Training Centre in Wellington City only. 

The Radio Training School keeps pace with industry.  It turns out graduates in tune with what the radio industry wants.  These recent awards are a testament to this.

Only two Christchurch students, both from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, were amongst the 45 Premier Award and Top Subject Scholarship recipients, awarded at Government House on Wednesday.

Philippa Trevella received one of the coveted Premier Awards with Outstanding scholarships in Biology, Chemistry, Statistics and Modelling, and Scholarships in Art History and English, and Rebecca Hawkes received the Top Subject Scholarship in Visual Arts (Painting).

Pip is the only Cantabrian and indeed the only female to receive a Premier Award for her performance in last year's New Zealand Scholarship exams. She is now at Auckland University studying for a Bachelor of Science degree and is continuing to achieve success as a nationally recognised middle-distance runner.

Rebecca, who was a boarder at Rangi Ruru, excelled not only in Visual Arts but is an outstanding writer. She is now at Victoria University, studying for degrees in Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies, English Literature and Film) and Bachelor of Laws.

Rangi Ruru Principal Julie Moor says supporting students to achieve the best they can in whatever they choose to do is the key at Rangi, and with these girls, as it is with many others, it was their academic goals.

“We are extremely proud of Pip and Rebecca,” she says. “Pip, additionally, as an athlete, managed to balance her academic achievements with representing New Zealand at the world schools cross-country championships in Malta, where she came ninth. It’s just wonderful that they have the world as their oyster.”
NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Richard Thornton said the students impressive results reflect the hard work they have undertaken during the school year, particularly in the lead-up to examinations.
“It is a pleasure to congratulate all the 2012 New Zealand Scholarship Award winners. These students have performed exceptionally well and achieved impressive results. We wish them the very best for the future”.

The number of houses sold by auction in Christchurch has almost doubled since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, University of Canterbury (UC) research has found.

A new study by visiting Erskine Professor Michael LaCour-Little has been studying the changing Christchurch housing market. The Erskine fellowship programme was established in 1963 following a generous bequest by former distinguished UC student John Erskine.

Professor LaCour-Little, who is from the faculty at California State University-Fullerton, conducted the analysis using data on real estate transactions occurring between 2010 and 2012.

``The use of auctions to sell properties has increased during this period. During the first quarter of 2010, just 11.1 percent of houses were sold by auction while by the fourth quarter of 2012, 20.7 percent were sold by auction. During the quarter immediately following the February 2011 earthquake, an even greater percentage (22.7 percent) were sold by auction.

``Housing prices have been increasing rapidly in Christchurch. During the six quarters after February 2011, prices increased by two percent, four percent, five percent, seven percent, nine percent and again by nine percent respectively.

``Prices were relatively stable prior to that time. A reduction in the supply of available for-sale housing provided the classic recipe for an increase in prices. The cost of rental housing undoubtedly increased also; however, the study did not look at the rental segment of the market.

``In general, auctions tend to produce higher prices compared to other sales methods. The study shows that properties sold by auction sell for about 15 percent more than other sales methods, after accounting for the size, condition, and age of the property, as well as when it was sold.  

This pattern does not apply, however, to mortgagee auctions, where properties sell for 21 percent less than similar properties sold using other means.  There were only a small number of such sales during the time period studied, however,’’ Professor LaCour-Little says.

The premium associated with properties sold by auction may be related to their location and or condition, as well. It may be the case, for example, that only the very best properties in premium neighbourhoods are offered for sale by auction.

There is some evidence that larger properties and properties with more valuable land are more likely to be sold by auction than other methods.  Accounting for the location of the property, as well as its size, condition and age reduces the estimate of the auction premium to 8.2 percent.

``The method used to develop the estimates reported is a statistical procedure somewhat different than that used by others who report trends in house prices.

``Hence, the figures reported are not directly comparable to others’ estimates. My research analysis relied upon data obtained from PropertyIQ, a Wellington-based company that combines public record information with data from realtor listings.

``The study used data on approximately 18,000 single family residential sales occurring during 2010, 2011 and 2012 to reach its conclusions,’’ Professor LaCour-Little says.

Massey's agriculture programme is 21st in the world in Quacquarelli Symonds' (QS) world university subject rankings made public yesterday.

It is the third-highest ranked agriculture programme in the southern hemisphere, with only the University of Queensland and Brazil's Universidade Estadual de Campinas ranked higher. No other New Zealand university's agriculture programme ranks in the top 200.

Subject rankings are based on a university's reputation among academics and employers. Overall rankings and broad subject area rankings, which are released in September each year, are based on reputation plus additional criteria – the percentage of international staff and students a university has, its ratio of academics to students and the frequency that papers by its academics are cited in other academics' papers.

Of the 20,000 universities worldwide, QS says it considers just 700 for its rankings. Massey had an overall ranking of 308 last year (compared to 329 in 2011) and in eight broad subject areas it ranks in the top 200.

QS publishes narrow subject area rankings each May. Last year, when the narrow subject areas included education for the first time, it became Massey's top ranked subject at 50th in the world. This year agriculture is separately ranked for the first time.

The other narrow subject areas in which Massey is ranked highly are accounting and finance (top 100), biology (top 200), communication and media studies (top 150), economics and econometrics (top 150), education (top 100), psychology (top 150), sociology (top 200).

Massey Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the ranking in agriculture confirms that Massey's teaching and research is world-class. "This is a remarkable outcome and it validates our commitment to promoting the highest standards of research and scholarship and leading the world in areas of specialisation," Mr Maharey says.

"It is also a testament to the performance and dedication of talented staff and the efforts Massey has always made to connect with the farming and food production sector to produce graduates and the research that keeps New Zealand at the forefront."

For more details: http://www.topuniversities.com

The University of Canterbury (UC) has jumped more than 30 places to be ranked 21st in the world in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering in the latest QS world university rankings by subject.

Last year UC was ranked in the 51st to 100th group of universities in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering. The latest rating by the independent London-based university ranking company puts UC well within the top one per cent of universities in the world in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering.

No other university in New Zealand is within the top 40 in this subject area.

UC Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engineering) Professor Jan Evans-Freeman says the 21st ranking in the world is the highest ranking UC has ever reached, putting it ahead of institutions such as Stanford University, Oxford University, Cornell University and University College of London.

``This is a huge boost for us and will really help us attract more students next year. Our Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department has a long tradition of research into innovative solutions for many hazards facing society today, driven in part by the particular needs of living in New Zealand. The Department is especially well regarded internationally for its research into seismic engineering.

``Professor Andy Buchanan, Associate Professor Stefano Pampanin and Dr Alessandro Palermo have developed a completely new system of earthquake-resistant buildings using post-tensioned structural timber.

``Their work has resulted in a step-change in the use of timber as a structural material, allowing direct competition with concrete and steel for many multi-storey buildings. New buildings of up to 10 storeys are being built in Europe, North America and Australia, with proposals for a 30 storey timber building on the drawing board in Canada,’’ Professor Evans-Freeman says.

In its report, QS says UC enjoys an international reputation as a university that has a distinguished heritage, embraces and extols traditional values of academic excellence and takes singular pride in its strong research culture.

``The University has an impressive profile in research, learning and advanced scholarship as is evidenced by its strong performance in recent performance-based research fund exercises. This fuels the University's resolve to continue with strong contributions to fundamental and applied research, with well-regarded postgraduate and research programmes and with strong research and collaborative links with other leading tertiary institutions and research organisations, nationally and internationally.

``The University of Canterbury's overarching goal is to be among the top two universities in New Zealand over the long-term, reach standards equivalent to comparable Australian universities in research, teaching and learning and secure and maintain a ranking in the top 150 universities worldwide.’’

UC features in the world's elite (Top 200) universities in 19 subjects in this year's QS world university rankings by subject.

Out of 2858 universities, UC is rated in the top 100 in English Language and Literature, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, Psychology, Geography, Accounting and Finance, Education and Law.

UC is rated in the top 150 universities in Modern Languages, Computer Science and Information Systems, Earth and Marine Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Economics, Sociology, and Statistics and Operational Research.

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Mathematics are rated within the top 200.

UC is currently ranked among the top three percent of universities in the world and is the only New Zealand university with a five star QS rating.

Whitireia floristry tutor Megan Parker won silver for her exhibition in the Floral Art Individual category at the recent Ellerslie International Flower Show in Christchurch.  Up against 13 competitors in her category, Megan took away the highest award.

Whatever the weather, the theme given to the Floral Art Individual category, formed the basis of Megan’s exhibit.  She drew her inspiration from My Fair Lady, beautiful hats, tight bodices, full sumptuous skirts and the parasol.  She titled her work Whatever the weather, flowers inspire and always shine and started planning it in November last year and by January this year was pulling it altogether.

Not only was Megan inspired by her My Fair Lady vision, she wanted to include a cultural feel.  I have worked at Whitireia for ten years now and it was important that a bit of what Whitireia is about was evident it my exhibit said Megan.  “It is a multi-cultural institution and I wanted this to be part of it too.”  A range of materials including: feathers, paua shells, grasses, tillandsia, phalaenopsis orchids, callas, hydrangeas, lupin seed pods, decorative wires, wire hearts, fairy lights, jewels, ribbon and skeleton leaves were used to pull her vision together. 

Megan took seven hours to create her master piece.  I have not worked so hard in seven hours for a very long time said Megan.  “Despite the pressure, I loved being part of this event and showcasing my floristry talents.  I have always wanted to enter this show - it’s the most prestigious flower show in New Zealand, it is marked under the same criteria as the Chelsea Flower Show in London.”   Megan was also part of the demonstration team at the flower show where she showcased her floristry talents.

Having worked with flowers since she was 14, Megan derives her creative flare from the most amazing flower books.  They are expensive but well worth it said Parker.  “New Zealand is so limited in terms of talent to learn from, if international designers come here I always jump at the chance to attend demonstrations and workshops.”  Colour and texture are the two elements that grab her attention. 

Having worked in a retail florist and after owing her own business, Megan is now passing on her creative floristry talents to the students at Whitireia.

The Whitireia floristry programme is run from the most divine place in Porirua according to Megan.  “We have a private secluded area on top of a hill over- looking the Porirua harbour, surrounded by the beautiful sounds of native birds and a garden full of wonderful flora and fauna.”

Megan has just completed a two year tenure as President of the New Zealand Professional Florists Inc and is currently a National Assessor for them.