57 new delegates trained so far in 2024.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union’s rollout of delegate training courses across the motu has continued in 2024. In 2023, seven level one courses were run, with a total of 64 participants. So far in 2024 we are on track to double our numbers with 57 new delegates already trained and more courses planned for later in the year.

Subjects covered in level one training include workplace mapping, TEU structures, the role of the delegate, knowing your collective, and getting started in your workplace.

Unitec’s Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao, a participant in Tāmaki Makaurau last week, says she “really felt the whanaungatanga. It was wonderful to spend time with others who understand, care, and share.”

“The things I found most useful were the networking, sharing with others who are established in the union, and getting a sense of what happens in other workplaces. It was also great to gain an understanding of how the structure of the union reflects the workplace.”

“It’s important for new delegates to understand you are not alone. The union organiser is your first port of call, so you don’t have to know everything. Everyone comes with their own skills and knowledge but when you attend delegate training and talk to other people you find out there are things you don’t know. More people should come.”

Keep an eye out for more delegate training in your rohe later in the year. With negotiations for pay and conditions happening in all universities and Te Pūkenga this year, we need members to pick up delegate work and stand strong together.