Journalism and Mass Communications

Kristy Martin says she took a chance, signed up and never looked back.

In 2009 she enrolled in the Diploma in Bicultural Journalism Level 5 at Waiariki.

After leaving school at 16 years of age, Kristy started on a career in hospitality. She found a job at the Novotel Lakeside Hotel in Rotorua where she worked her way through various areas such as housekeeping, food and beverage, reception and reservations....then realised it wasn’t quite what she wanted to do with her life.

She left school at 16 so did not meet the criteria to enrol at university but she did not let that stop her. Kristy grabbed a Waiariki prospectus, and the Diploma in Bicultural Journalism caught her eye.

“I learnt a lot during my time at Waiariki. I gained a lot of knowledge from the course and met some really cool people who I still keep in touch with. The experience I have gained has pushed me out of my comfort zone, and encouraged me to pursue my goals with confidence.”

“We had a tight-knit class, so everyday was a laugh. My most memorable moment though would have to have been graduation, I never would have thought I would be doing that. It was awesome!”

Kristy says her first goal after graduating was to find a job with a newspaper. She has just started fulltime employment with the Rotorua Daily Post, which Kristy says is “extremely gratifying.”

“I would like to continue to upskill and become as qualified as possible so I am also undertaking the Diploma in Creative Writing this year at Waiariki, which is delivered online so I am able to study in my spare time.”

“My next goal is to become involved with politics and public relations work, so I will be working on that too shortly!”

Dionne Bidois used to throw timber around for a living, but an accident caused her to re-evaluate her life.

In 2009, she decided to enrol in the Diploma in Bicultural Journalism Level 5 at Waiariki.

“Dreams always wait until you pluck up the courage to pursue them. I think Oprah calls it an ‘Ah hah moment!’, where the realisation of what you could be walks up and gives you a kiss (or a kick depending on how stubborn you are) and you decide to give life a real shot.”

“My personal ‘Ah hah’ came in the form of an accident which provided three months to reflect and change my life’s direction. So I switched my full time employment status as a labourer to part time and followed my dream to become a journalist.”

Dionne says it was the best decision she has ever made. The convenience of studying at Waiariki and still being close to home, family and work; and the benefits of gaining bi-cultural knowledge unique to the institution, providing future advantages when working in a multi cultural society.

“The duration of the course is 18 months and it has been the most frustrating, rewarding and life changing time of my educational career. Sure, there were certainly times when I thought I might have bitten of more than I could chew, but with the support of family, tutors and friends made on the course, it has been a fantastic experience.”

“This course changes lives. At a professional level I have increased my knowledge of computers, writing skills and comprehension of both the English and Maori language. Personally, I have enhanced my verbal and non-verbal communication skills which are essential to becoming a good journalist.”

Throughout the course, Dionne has been offered opportunities such as undertaking an internship at a new rock orientated radio station 88.1 Kiss FM in Tauranga, where she has further developed her skills in broadcasting. She has also worked with production teams for two national television shows that were filmed locally.
“My personal goals to become a journalist have been accomplished and I am now focusing on achieving new ambitions for my future with my family. This includes the desire to develop my own business within the media so I plan to finish my academic study with a couple of business papers.”