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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

UCOL

A tertiary education provider located in Manawatū, Whanganui, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua. House Rules
We welcome discussions, questions, and commentary.

We offer programmes in Agriculture, Arts and Design, Hair and Beauty, Business and Tourism, Chef Training and Hospitality, Education, Foundation Skills, Health and Science, Information Technology, Language and Culture, Trades, U-Skills and STAR. However, we have to make sure Facebook's standard rules of use are followed. Terms of Service can be found at www.facebook.com/terms.php?ref=pf and Facebo

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04/06/2026

Meet Dr Richard Shepherd, our Whanganui Visual Art and Design lecturer, who brings a rich mix of academic insight and real-world experience to his role 🖼️👨‍🏫

After exploring several fields, Richard found his creative path through photography, sparking a deep interest in the conceptual and expressive power of the visual arts. He went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts and a PhD in Film Studies, during which he produced the first English-language study of the French theorist Nicole Brenez. Along the way, he gained teaching experience, tutoring in Victoria University’s Media Studies Department and lecturing part-time in Massey’s Photography Department.

Relocating to Whanganui in the early days of Covid-19, Richard completed his doctorate and graduated in 2023. He formed a strong connection to the region and chose to stay, taking up a permanent role at UCOL. He now teaches our Postgraduate Diploma of Design students, creating a creative, discussion-led learning environment that encourages critical thinking and risk-taking. His recent photographic exhibition at Edith Gallery has received strong praise, including from his own students 👏

Check out Richard’s mahi at https://bit.ly/4dD12Nj and read more about his journey here: https://bit.ly/4uXzeKp 💻

03/06/2026

Interested in studying something new, gaining a qualification, or changing careers? Applications for our mid-year intake are currently open 📚 Check out our programmes here 👉 https://bit.ly/4nF5q2Z

02/06/2026

Congratulations to Matua Mike Kawana, who has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.

This honour recognises Mike's nearly 25 years of service to the Wairarapa community, including his significant contribution to teaching te reo Māori and his dedication to supporting Māori and the wider community.

Since joining UCOL in 2018, Mike has enriched our Wairarapa campus and organisation through his leadership, knowledge, and passion for te reo Māori and te ao Māori. He has inspired countless ākonga and kaimahi, helping strengthen cultural understanding and connection across our communities.

This recognition reflects the lasting impact Mike has made in the Wairarapa and beyond.

We are incredibly proud to have Mike as part of the UCOL whānau and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.

Read more about Mike's award here
https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/kb2026-mnzm

Photo from left: Kaikookiri Te Mana Tauira (Wairarapa) Riki Anderson with Matua Mike Kawana, MNZM

01/06/2026

Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa (Happy Samoan Language Week) 🇼🇸🎉

31/05/2026

We love a full circle moment ✨
Congratulations to Tyla Kahukiwa-Larby (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa, Te Whakatōhea), a former Mātai–Holdsworth scholarship recipient and Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) graduate, who has secured a role as a trainee MRI Medical Imaging Technologist at Gisborne’s Mātai Medical Research Institute 👏
Read more: https://bit.ly/4tIi8zf

28/05/2026

Earlier this month, the Costume and Textile Association of New Zealand (CTANZ) Symposium was held at the Whanganui Regional Museum, bringing together artists, researchers, and practitioners from across Aotearoa 🧵🇳🇿

With the theme Haerenga (Journeys), inspired by the Whanganui awa, the three-day event explored movement, connection, identity, and place through textile and costume practices.
Amongst the event’s speakers was our very own Whanganui Arts and Design lecturer, Kate Sellar, who presented a video documenting aspects of her textile practice, contributing to the diverse programme of presentations 📹
The symposium also featured Welsh artist Haf Weighton, who presented work on Welsh border towns, exploring layered social and material histories through drawing and stitch. While in Whanganui, Haf also visited our diploma students, offering valuable insight into her contemporary arts practice.

📸 Image by Andrés Salinas

27/05/2026

Thinking about studying something new, changing careers, upskilling, or just keen to explore campus? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days and discover everything UCOL has to offer 🏫🎉 Register here: https://bit.ly/4nxWnRs

25/05/2026

Feeling the pressure lately? Take a moment to reset, recharge, and read through these tips and tricks to help you stress less — wherever you are 🔋📋🧘

Plus, if you’re on our Manawatū campus this Wednesday, come along to our Stressless Connect event from 12 - 1pm in the main atrium for free kai, hand massages, hair braiding, therapy dog cuddles, creative activities, and study support 🐶

24/05/2026

Recently, our Automotive Collision Repair ākonga visited Aotearoa’s renowned Southward Car Museum, where they enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the restoration workshops, led by Kaiwhakahaere (Manager) John Bellamore 🧑‍🔧🚘

The experience, along with getting up close to antique vehicles from around the world, further ignited their passion for angitu (success) in their studies. Students also gained valuable insight into how processes, materials, and technologies have evolved, as well as the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce in the automotive refinishing and collision repair industry. Read more 💻👉 https://bit.ly/4uK62Xs

22/05/2026

Last week, Māori Bachelor of Nursing ākonga from our Manawatū, Wairarapa, and Whanganui campuses travelled to Ōtautahi (Christchurch) to attend the annual Hui-ā-Tau mō Ngā Ākonga Neehi Māori (National Māori Student Nurses Hui) 🏞️

This Māori-led hui, celebrating its 40th anniversary, brought together Māori nursing students from across the motu to connect, share experiences, and strengthen their journey into the profession. Grounded in hauora and identity, the wānanga plays an important role in supporting the development of future Māori nursing leaders.

Our students worked hard fundraising to support the four-day wānanga and learning trip to the birthplace of Kawa Whakaruruhau (cultural safety in nursing education). This year’s theme, ‘Ka Rito te Tī – Sustaining care from within’, focused on nurturing wellbeing, supporting one another, strengthening identity, and building resilience as Māori in nursing.

Throughout the hui, ākonga engaged in workshops and learning sessions, heard from inspiring speakers, took part in student-led kōrero, and connected with influential Māori nurses, practitioners, and leaders. The experience offered both cultural grounding and practical guidance, reinforcing the importance of supporting one another on their nursing journey. Our Manawatū (Pikorua) and Wairarapa ākonga were even awarded a beautiful taonga, Ngā Manukura, for their joint presentation at the hui.

A massive shout-out to our Ākonga Neehi Māori who put in the hard mahi to attend this year’s hui, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported them along the way 🧑‍⚕️🤝

📹 Video by Tahu News

Address

King Street
Palmerston North
4410

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.ucol.ac.nz/

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