northland chamber

Wow have you seen what’s happening at NorthTec…

I was privileged to attend the opening of the New North Tec Interactive Lecture Theatre and teaching Complex last Friday. This state of the Art complex provides Northtecs teaching staff and students a state of the art facility which is world class when comparing to regions of similar size.

We were given a demonstration of some of the technology available to North Tec such as Electronic White Boards, Video Conferencing and tools that enable tutors to teach a lecture theatre of people without actually being physically present. Also on display was the new interactive audience survey system which collated audience opinion in a split second through the use of a ‘remote control’ type tool connected to the electronic whiteboard. A bit like you see on ‘who wants to be a millionaire’

North Tec and the Northland training Alliance are also breaking new ground in the opening of a new Health and Safety Training Centre in a few weeks time. This facility will be key in providing ‘standardized, consistent and quality’ health and safety in employment for staff across manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industry sectors.

North Tec also surprised us last year with the announcement of being selected as one of Microsoft’s few international sites as Software testers for the 2007 Office system. This was an excellent accolade and confirmed Northtecs growing reputation in technology application. The other news from last year was the Campus in Raumanga becoming a full wireless zone.

In his opening address last Friday Mark Farnsworth from the Northland Regional Council alluded to Education as being a main infrastructure component of a region alongside those other infrastructure issues such as Transport, Port Development, Rail link, Broadband and Waste Water etc.

Northlands future depends on achieving long-term, sustainable economic growth, creating quality jobs, and positioning the region to compete in a global economy. North Tec has made many contributions to the region, partnering and participating in regional economic development efforts.

These efforts are assisting Northland to diversify from a primary based economy to a ‘knowledge’economy reliant on human resources in numerous industries such as Engineering, Tourism, healthcare, and extending into the primary industries.

We see North Tec as being a crucial component of the Education infrastructure in Northland. Whether it is establishing Centres of excellence such as the Health and Safety Training centre in conjunction with Industry or the quick response to ensure that Training and education in Northland is relevant to today’s economy.


The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 21,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz

You can have a say on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com