Project: Creative industries student explores newfound passion through work placements.

Heneriata Te Whata talks about her journey:

“I moved to Palmerston North to study Veterinary Science. The longer I studied it, the more I realised I was less of a lecture hall person and more of a get-up-and-do-it person. I decided to give the Bachelor Creative Media at UCOL a shot and I don’t regret it at all.”

With the addition of the Workhub to UCOL, creative students can engage directly with clients in a way they couldn’t before. Internships and apprenticeships can accommodate this type of interaction with other programmes; however, as most local arts-based businesses are sole traders or freelancers, this wasn’t a viable option for these companies. Since this initiative started, students like Heneriata have thrived with the experience the Bachelor of Creative Media offers.

Heneriata has also been paving the way for Māori artists after taking up a project with Manawatū Māori Rugby that saw her designing their new jersey with a deep understanding of Manwataū history lovingly crafted on its threads. 

“It’s so exciting to think the team will be wearing my design and that I have created a piece of history that will be passed on from team to team.”

Usually, when a person picks up a spray can and paints on a wall , it’s known as graffiti, but at UCOL, students learn the skill set of mural creation this way. When the lecturers suggested wall murals, taking something small to big with a spray can, Henna loved the opportunity and just went for it. Heneriata fully embraced this skill set, leading to a huge mural on Te Manawa’s wall. This was part of the ‘Papaioea Street Arts Festival’, where international, national and local artists were asked to create large wall murals in the city centre.