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Moana Heremaia

Bachelor of Applied Management graduate

Moana Heremaia

Moana (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) had plenty of experience working as a Production Planner, Production Manager and Supply Chain Manager, but felt she needed to further her education to advance her career.

“I think I needed that academic foundation in order to get into a good position in a company where I could make a difference,” says Moana.

Moana initially enrolled in UCOL’s one-year Graduate Diploma in Production and Operations Management. However part way through the year, Moana’s Programme Leader suggested that she continue her studies within the Bachelor of Applied Management and she transferred into the degree programme.

Through UCOL’s Assessment of Prior Learning initiative, Moana was able to have her extensive work history recognised and credited towards the degree. This meant Moana could complete the Bachelor of Applied Management (double-majoring in Operations and Production Management, and Project Management) within a two year period..

Moana says she enjoyed the relaxed learning environment, and received great support from UCOL staff.

“The help and support they gave me to map out my academic pathway to ensure I would succeed was second to none.”

“The tutorials the Lecturers ran were invaluable. They helped embed our learnings and gave me additional support when I needed that bit extra.”

Moana found that resources like Moodle and the library helped her keep on top of her studies.

“The UCOL library was my go-to quiet space where I could research and complete my work.  The staff were of immense assistance during my report-writing, and when journals were not available through the databases, I could easily request them.”

As part of her degree, Moana completed an internship with support services provider MASH Trust. Moana’s internship focused on change management, as she investigated the climate and culture of the organisation before it introduced a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. Moana looked at how such a change impacts employees, and made recommendations to help with the transition.

Moana says the internship experience showed her the importance of understanding the relationship dynamics in a workplace, and reinforced the kind manager she wants to be.  

“I want to be a manager who trusts and empowers her team to do their jobs, and makes them feel part of the decision making.”

In late 2019 Moana was hired as the Shift Manager for RJ’s Licorice.

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