Ara celebrates the people behind learner success

One year after regaining its independence, Ara Institute of Canterbury has celebrated the academic expertise, innovation and dedication that underpin vocational learner success in Canterbury.

At the 2026 Celebration of Our People Awards, kaimahi and teams were recognised for excellence in teaching, research, learner support and leadership.

Chief Executive Darren Mitchell said the awards celebrated Ara kaimahi and the connections they build with learners.

“Every year I see the conviction behind your work, the real connections you build with our learners and the fresh ideas you bring. This year has asked a lot of all of us, and through it all, our people have kept our learners at the heart of what we do,” Mitchell said.

Excellence in action

Eleven teaching excellence awards and two research excellence awards were presented, alongside five Recognition Awards and eight student-led awards.

A common thread among the teaching and research recipients was a commitment to turning expertise into learner success.

Learner-Centred Practice award recipients Mary Kensington, Becky Brough, Julia Grant and the SIT Transition Team represented faculties across Ara, reflecting the breadth of approaches to responsive, practical and accessible learning.

Emerging teaching talent was celebrated too, with New to Teaching awards recognising Susanna Collins for engaging anatomy and practical-skills learning, and Makayla Fonoti-Leiataua for creating an inclusive, industry-connected Beauty Therapy learning environment for secondary school ākonga.

Partnerships that connect learners with industry and community also featured strongly.

Tyson Huia was recognised for building relationships with iwi, community organisations and industry that create authentic, culturally grounded learning experiences, while Anna Scott was honoured for strengthening social work placement opportunities during a challenging period for the sector.

Future-focused approaches were recognised too. Rory Collins was celebrated for developing innovative digital learning opportunities, including a new Digital Skills for Study and Work course and online learning initiatives designed to improve access and flexibility for learners.

The awards also highlighted inclusion and belonging. Bernard Otinpong and Dipendra Ghimire were recognised for developing the Ngā Taonga Māori o Ara App and Ara Art Tour App, creating new ways for learners and the wider community to engage with mātauranga Māori, cultural narratives and Ara’s art collection.

Research excellence recipients Rea Daellenbach and David Weir were recognised not only for their own scholarship, but for building research capability and creating stronger connections between research, teaching and industry.

Summing up the Teaching and Research Excellence Awards, MC Deb Young Ara Director of Ako Excellence said hearing the recipients’ stories made her proud of Ara’s academic community.

“We often talk about excellence in teaching and research, but these awards show us what excellence actually looks like. It’s in the relationships you build, the way you respond to individual learners, the barriers you remove, the opportunities you create and your willingness to keep learning and improving.

“The impact of your work reaches well beyond the classroom, programme or research project. It shapes the confidence and futures of our ākonga, strengthens the practice of our colleagues and makes Ara a better place to work.”

Recognition met with cheers and applause

The five Recognition Awards provided some of the evening’s most warmly received moments, with cheers and applause greeting recipients recognised for the difference they make to colleagues, learners and the wider Ara community.

The Faculty of Applied Technology Technician Team received the Hono | Connect Award for collaboration across disciplines and campuses that enriches learning experiences, while Te Tira ki Tua | The Māori Success Team received the Hihiri | Inspire Award for its leadership in advancing Māori success across Ara.

Kevin Brennan, Manager Learning and Disability Services, received the Aroha | Respect Award for fostering respect, compassion and belonging and advocating for priority learners.

Tina Verschoor, Subject Librarian, Academic Services, received the Equity and Inclusion Award for work supporting accessibility, culturally responsive practice and learner success.

The Safety and Wellbeing Award went to Early Learning Centre Health and Safety Representative Georgina Hale, recognised for her calm leadership and preparation during an emergency evacuation involving tamariki, kaimahi and whānau.

Perhaps the clearest measure of the impact Ara kaimahi have on their learners came from the student-led awards.

More than 480 nominations were received from ākonga wanting to recognise the people who’d made a difference to their Ara experience, with seven awards presented across Ara’s campuses and communities.

The nominations captured everything from extraordinary teaching ideas to the everyday acts of encouragement and care that can transform a learner’s experience.

One recipient had crocheted an intestine to help bring anatomy learning to life. Others were recognised in the words of their learners for being “truly always there” and for “creating a space that feels safe to be myself and ask as many questions as I need.”

The seven awards included Tony Orange with The Vibe; Cienda McNamara with The Lifesaver; Kate Gallie with The Biggest Cheerleader; and Louise Sheppard with The Lightbulb Moment.

Campus-based Most Valuable Player awards went to Scott Koia at Madras, Jackie Barrett at Timaru and Julia Koppens at Manawa.

Together, the awards reflected not only the expertise within Ara, but the relationships, practical support and personal commitment that help learners succeed.

Full list: 2026 Celebration of Our People awards

Teaching Excellence and Research Excellence Awards

Learner-Centred Practice

• Mary Kensington (Health, Science and Sustainability)
• Becky Brough (Culture and Services)
• Julia Grant (Applied Technology)
• SIT Transition Team: Nicholas Hanrahan, Tony Godfrey, Ray Jenkins, Godsave Mafoche, Dustin Kemp, James Richardson, Jay Butler and Russell Brown (Applied Technology)

Partnerships / Industry Connection

• Tyson Huia (Health, Science and Sustainability)
• Anna Scott (Health, Science and Sustainability)

Inclusive Learning Environments

• Khrissy Paynter (Culture and Services)
• Bernard Otinpong and Dipendra Ghimire (Applied Technology)

Future-Focused Teaching and Learning

• Rory Collins (Culture and Services/Ako Excellence)

New to Teaching

• Susanna Collins (Health, Science and Sustainability)
• Makayla Fonoti-Leiataua (Culture and Services)

Excellence in Research

• Rea Daellenbach (Health, Science and Sustainability)
• David Weir (Applied Technology)

Recognition Awards

Hono | Connect Award: Faculty of Applied Technology Technician Team
Doug Oliver, Evan Puentener, Grant Hillyer, Hayley Walla, Jay Butler, Lise Preisler, Matteo Sgaggero, Ngarita Newburn, Peter Harrison, Peter Kiernan, Rick Nyeste, Russell Brown, Jonathon Strang, Samuel Bates, Simon Robinson, Paul Falconer, Zoe Lovell-Smith, James Woodhams, Lynn Torgerson and Caillyn Benbow.

Hihiri | Inspire Award: Te Tira ki Tua | The Māori Success Team
Tate Tiatia, Mariechen Ngarotata, Louise Courtney, Te Ao Marama Apiata, Jasmine Keating and Tara-Lee Taukiri.

Aroha | Respect Award: Kevin Brennan, Manager Learning and Disability Services.

Equity and Inclusion Award: Tina Verschoor, Subject Librarian, Academic Services.

Safety and Wellbeing Award: Georgina Hale, Early Learning Centre Health and Safety Representative.

Student-Led Awards

The Vibe: Tony Orange, Automotive, Engineering & Plumbing Trades, Timaru.
The Lifesaver: Cienda McNamara, Creative & Media, Madras.
The Biggest Cheerleader: Kate Gallie, Foundations & Pathways, Madras.
The Lightbulb Moment: Louise Sheppard, Health & Community, Madras.
Most Valuable Player – Madras: Scott Koia, Hospitality & Services
Most Valuable Player – Timaru: Jackie Barrett, Student Support
Most Valuable Player – Manawa: Julia Koppens, Health & Community