Kamuka Pati

Award for Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching

Lecturer, Department of building technology, Unitec Institute of Technology

"Innovative and enquiring – Kamuka believes that the correct environment empowers learners". 

Kamuka is described as, “the new generation vocational teacher and emerging academic” driven by the question, “what can we do better?” 
 
His teaching is distinguished by a focus on trust and cooperation, “the interaction between learner and teacher and learner and learner”. His learners attest to “his no fluster and congenial attitude. Great tutor! Best ever.”
 
He is also highly innovative as exemplified by his creation of the ‘Smart Shed’ – a high tech classroom utilising a range of technology including smart phones and quick codes to make learning relevant for his learners. Kamuka’s contribution has extended beyond the classroom and into the Pacific where he taught Samoan locals to build their own houses after the 2009 tsunami. 
 
Despite his relatively short teaching career Kamuka’s colleagues say, “he has been excellent from day one.” He is mindful of the need to continually evolve as a teacher and retain an enthusiasm for what he does. “Just as important as learners staying engaged is that as teachers we also need to stay engaged...the mindset of continuously wanting to do better has kept me fresh.”