Samuel Mikaere, left, and Warwick Pitts sign the partnership document.
Wintec and Te Nehenehenui have put pen to a partnership to the benefit of Maniapoto students.
Wintec and Te Nehenehenui representatives following the signing of the relationship commitment at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae, Wintec City Campus.
Representatives from Te Nehenehenui and Wintec came together to sign the relationship commitment, Te Whakapiringa Pono o Maniapoto me Te Kuratini o Waikato, at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae on Wintec’s campus last month.
The “success and wellbeing of Maniapoto ākonga (students) and their whānau, hapū, and iwi” is the foundation of the partnership.
Te Nehenehenui is the post-settlement governance entity for Maniapoto.
King Country News 18 December 2025
Its group chair Peter Douglas spoke recently at a sod turing ceremony marking the start of a housing project the size and speed of which had not been seen in the area before according to Waitomo mayor John Robertson.
Te Nehenehenui Group chief executive Samuel Mikaere said the Wintec partnership reflects the aspirations of Te Kawau Rukuroa to create enduring opportunities that strengthen Maniapoto identity, wellbeing, and prosperity.
“By supporting our ākonga (students) 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”.
Warwick Pitts, Wintec Operations Lead and newly appointed chief executive, who attended the signing said Wintec was committed to working alongside mana whenua to support the educational aspirations of Maniapoto and local ākonga and their whānau.
“Education plays an important role in supporting thriving communities and our partnership with Maniapoto reflects our shared goal of supporting our ākonga to succeed,” he said.
The Maniapoto and Wintec partnership has already shown value with the launch earlier this year of Te Huinga o Te Tangata, a mana whenua pilot health pathways programme.
Co-designed and delivered alongside Te Nehenehenui, the Wintec bridging programme supported 15 aspiring Maniapoto Māori health professionals to enter tertiary education.
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.”
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.
It will be continued in 2026 and applications are open for semester one.
Samuel Mikaere, left, and Warwick Pitts sign the partnership document.
