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TEC success stories from South Seas
Date: 21-May-08 |
 The story on the Tertiary Education Commission website
The school's Rongo programme is designed for young Maori with the potential to establish a career in the film and television industry. The programme incorporates learning in te reo and tikanga, and students can qualify for the National Certificate in Film and Television production.
Two former students of South Seas have shown what they can do when given the opportunity to engage in tertiary study.
Rangi Rangitukunoa had always shown an interest in the film and television industry and kapa haka/Maori performing arts.
While still at high school Rangi’s teacher encouraged him to participate in the Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) programme - a Ministry of Education funded programme to facilitate a smooth transition from school to further education or employment. Rangi’s experience of the STAR programme introduced him to the tertiary study options that were available.
Unfortunately tertiary study seemed out of reach due to the cost of studying, and Rangi was temporarily side-tracked from his dream of working in film and television.
But always with an eye on the industry, Rangi found out about the Skill Enhancement-funded Rongo Programme at The South Seas School of Film and Television.
“I really could not have done this course without the Skill Enhancement Programme. It has put my life on the track I want it to be on,” says Rangi.
Rangi completed his Diploma in Film and Television Studies in 2006, and quickly secured a job as a Production Coordinator for Television New Zealand (TVNZ), working on shows such as Mucking In.
Taroi Black, another South Seas graduate, also secured work in the film and television industry before his Diploma in Film and Television was even completed.
An Auckland-based production company, Buto Base, contacted South Seas’ Mahi a Rongo Leader Haare Williams to find the perfect candidate for the position of Production Assistant.
The role required a person able to translate Maori spoken words into English subtitles. Haare recommended Taroi because of his fluency in te reo and English, as well as the skills and commitment he had shown over the course of his studies.
Like Rangi, Taroi had felt his financial situation was a barrier to participating in tertiary study, and without Skill Enhancement would not have been able to complete his diploma.
“This job is a great responsibility. I’m there to take full advantage of the opportunity Skill Enhancement has given me, and not muck around,” says Taroi.
See the story in its original context on the TEC website.
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