He is Executive Chef at the exclusive ‘At.mosphere’ restaurant in Dubai, the highest restaurant in the world, 422 metres above the earth on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world.

Now preparing food for the rich and famous, including royalty, Dwayne started his career in a fish and chip shop in Waitarere Beach, south of Foxton. He was born in Upper Hutt and grew up on a farm in Dannevirke before moving to Waitarere Beach and attending Horowhenua College.He was trained at UCOL, graduating in 1998 with a Certificate in Catering. His advice to today’s UCOL students looking for stellar careers as chefs: “Believe in yourself and work harder than the guy or girl next to you. Don’t move around too quickly because real knowledge is gained through time and hard work.”

At At.mosphere, Dwayne’s responsibilities include creating menus and leading a team of 24 chefs. Menus change four times a year and are likely to include Wagyu beef, grain fed New Zealand beef, New Zealand lamb chops (cooked with Moroccan spices), foie gras and caviar, Maine lobster, New Zealand saffron, and hokey pokey ice cream. Dwayne specialises in modern eclectic cuisine with flavours of the Riviera.

At.mosphere covers an area of 1,030 square metres and offers two dining options; lounge and grill. It can host more than 210 guests and includes private dining rooms and display cooking stations.

Dwayne says running a restaurant at the top of the world’s highest building brings its challenges. “Logistics are tough and we need to be very organised. I avoid too many trips in the elevator, a 57-second ride up 442 metres. One day I came up five times after which you feel a bit dizzy. You only want to come up twice.”

Dwayne actively works to promote New Zealand food in Dubai. Last Sunday (29 January) he cooked a barbeque and talked about New Zealand products at a function to help raise the profile of the New Zealand Consulate in Dubai.

Following his own advice to students, Dwayne worked hard to achieve his current status as a chef in Dubai. After graduating from UCOL, he headed to Wellington, becoming Commis Chef at Kimble Bents restaurant, and Sous Chef at Brasserie Café Menton and then at Te Papa’s ICON restaurant, working with Adam Newell and Peter Thornley. Moving to Sydney in 2000, he spent two years at Mediterranean and Italian influenced Orso Bayside Restaurant.

Arriving in London in 2002, he was offered a position at 192 Restaurant in Notting Hill (British and French cuisine), cooking for the likes of U2’s Bono and The Spice Girls, before being invited to join Michelin starred The Greenhouse restaurant, awarded best British restaurant in 2004 by the Square Meal magazine. Dwayne worked at The Greenhouse for two years, becoming Executive Sous Chef in his first year. He also spent time in St Tropez as a private chef.

In 2006, he started a “whirlwind five years”, accepting a position in Dubai, at the five star One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel, as Chef de Cuisine. He then opened the Flagship Hotel of ‘The Address’ Hotels and Resorts, and became Executive Chef at the five star The Address Dubai Mall Hotel before tackling the new At.mosphere restaurant in 2011, and becoming its Executive Chef.

A kitset mini house will be amongst the activities on offer at Open Day which runs from 11 am to 1 pm on Wednesday 25 January. The materials for the five square metre house, donated to UCOL Wairarapa by timber company JNL, can be built and dismantled in less than a day and is used to teach Carpentry students.

Programme Leader Brett Tickner says anyone who wants to pick up a drill, a measuring tape or a hammer at the Open Day can lend a hand with the building.

Elsewhere on the UCOL campus, other, bigger construction projects are underway to provide new, improved facilities for students studying at the campus this year.

They include a brand new facility for UCOL Wairarapa’s carpentry and joinery programmes.  Students will be able to build houses in a purpose built area on the upper campus’ Chapel Street frontage, in real, on-the-job conditions.  The new construction building will have all the equipment needed for construction activities covered in UCOL’s Certificate in Carpentry, which offers students skills equivalent to those learned in the first year of a building apprenticeship. 

The National Certificate in Joinery offers foundation skills that prepare students for work within the industry.  There are some free fee places available for 16 and 17 year olds who want to leave school but also gain some qualifications, as part of the Youth Guarantee Scheme.   People interested in this, and other Youth Guarantee programmes such as automotive, hairdressing, cookery, early childhood education, health science or business administration and computing, should contact Brett Tickner at UCOL on 946 2300.   Programmes start in February.

New science and clinical laboratories will also be ready this year for students in programmes such as nursing, health science, sports, and beauty.  Campus Manager Angela Hewitt said these laboratories will be used often, as part of the students’ learning experience: they replace existing facilities that do not meet UCOL’s earthquake safety requirements.

Students will also enjoy a re-vamped, centralized place on campus for all student services.  The café, learning support, disability support, health nurse and student association will all be together under one roof in a centre on the upper campus.  The area will also be home to the library service, which includes computers for study purposes, wireless access for laptops and programme relevant online and textbook resources.

Work on the new facilities continued over the Christmas break, and will be ready in mid February 2012, before most students arrive for the start of the study year.  Campus Manager Angela Hewitt says there will be minimal disruption for students who start in January, and temporary library facilities will be available.

Angela adds that the new facilities will give students an even greater opportunity to succeed in their studies. “We’re already proud of our success rates at UCOL Wairarapa. We know that’s mostly about excellent teaching. But it’s also about having accessible and up-to-date facilities and providing a campus culture that supports our students and encourages them to do their best.

“Come along to Open Day and hear all about it!” she says.

For more information please contact:

Angela Hewitt, Campus Manager, Ph. 946 2300.

He will compete in the senior men’s Gi under 110kg open class at the championships, to be held at the end of this month.

Vaughan lectures in the certificate of Exercise and Sport Performance at UCOL and has 10 students in the Martial Arts Club who help keep him fit.  “Always training and being a coach as well, I’ve got guys I’m training that are always pushing me to beat me,” he told the Manawatu Standard.Antonio won four gold medals at a grappling tournament in Palmerston North in November but says he still has to be on his toes at training with his students. “They’re always trying to make it to the next level as well,” he said. “When it comes to when we’re sparring on the mat, they’re always trying to get the coach.”

Before he heads to Sydney, he said he had a lot of work to do training on the mat. “I’ll step up, definitely have to step it up.”

Antonio, a former Freyberg senior rugby player, is the only Manawatu representative in the team. The rest are from clubs in Wellington, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, Napier and Hamilton.

Even though he’s only 37, he is a relative newcomer to the sport, only starting four years ago after a friend introduced him to it for rugby training. He will end up facing much more experienced fighters while he is there.

The Oceania tournament doubles as a qualification for the world championships in Russia. Vaughan said it would be a dream to get that far, but is focusing on the Sydney tournament first.

Taken at the Gisborne Judo Club Competition July 2011

UCOL is heading one of the Government’s new trade’s academies – called U-Skills Central School Academy. In partnerships with local schools, places are available to Whanganui students in years 12-13 who are studying for NCEA level 2 and also want to gain a tertiary pre trade qualification.

Applications for study in 2012 are open now.

Trades academies allow students to be enrolled at both their secondary school and a tertiary training provider.  As an academy Hub school, Wanganui City College is hosting two U-Skills programmes, Engineering and Joinery, both open to students from across the region.  U-Skills are also offering programmes at the UCOL campus in Palmerston North, Fashion and Beauty, Electrotechnology( Electrical and Electronics) and Joinery.

The programmes are open to all students at any school in the region.

 U-Skills training will be provided one day a week at UCOL or in blocks across the week at the Hub school, Wanganui City College, with the other days spent at students’ usual schools studying towards NCEA. The study is free and transport within Whanganui and to UCOL in Palmerston North is also free.

The Manager of U-Skills Jacqui Phillips says it’s a brilliant new initiative that brings gains for the Whanganui region. “It’s an opportunity for young people to get tertiary level training to start them on their chosen career path.  U-Skills students will also have contact with local employers, alongside careers and personal development support.

“It’s a great way to encourage young people into trades where there are skill shortages in many areas – with more shortages predicted in the future.

Jacqui says studying under U-Skills offers the best of both worlds to students taking part. “They can continue to enjoy the support of their school environment and keep their friends, cultural and sporting activities, while experiencing study at a tertiary level and starting to build a career. They can look forward to excellent, sustainable pay rates in trades areas.”

Jacqui says students have great options at the end of their U-Skills study year:  we will assist students to plan their future pathways going forward. This may be staying at school, going onto further tertiary study, moving into employment or an apprenticeship. These are excellent ways forward for young people and also bring gains for employers and the local economy.”

For an enrolment pack or more information phone 0800 46 8265.

UCOL is heading one of the Government’s new trade’s academies – called U-Skills Central School Academy. In partnerships with local schools, places are available to Wairarapa students in years 12-13 who are studying for NCEA level 2 and also want to gain a tertiary pre trade qualification.

Applications for study in 2012 are open now.

Trades academies allow students to be enrolled at both their secondary school and a tertiary training provider. As an academy Hub school, Makoura College in Masterton is hosting the U-Skills Small Motors programme which is open to students from across the region. U-Skills is also offering a Fashion and Beauty programme at the Wairarapa UCOL campus.

The programmes are open to all students at any school in the region.

U-Skills training will be provided one day a week at the Hub school or the UCOL campus with the other days spent at the students’ usual school studying towards NCEA. The study is free and transport to and from Makoura College or UCOL is also funded.

The Manager of U-Skills Jacqui Phillips says it’s a brilliant new initiative that brings gains for the Wairarapa region. “It’s an opportunity for young people to get tertiary level training that will start them on their chosen career path.  U-Skills students will also have contact with local employers, alongside careers and personal development support.

“It’s a great way to encourage young people into trades where there are skill shortages in many areas – with more shortages predicted in the future.

Jacqui says studying under U-Skills offers the best of both worlds to students taking part. “They can continue to enjoy the support of their school environment and keep their friends, cultural and sporting activities, while experiencing study at a tertiary level and starting to build a career. They can look forward to excellent, sustainable pay rates in trades areas.”

Jacqui says students have great options at the end of their U-Skills study year:  we will assist students to plan their future pathways. This may be staying at school, going onto further tertiary study, moving into employment or an apprenticeship. These are excellent ways forward for young people and also bring gains for employers and the local economy.”

For an enrolment pack or more information phone 0800 46 8265.

Secondary students now have a great opportunity to earn a trades or technology qualification while they are still at school – at no cost.

UCOL is heading one of the Government’s new trade’s academies – called U-Skills Central School Academy. In a partnership with Awatapu College, places are available to Manawatu students in years 12-13 who are studying for NCEA level 2 and also want to gain a tertiary pre trade qualification.

Trades academies allow students to be enrolled at both their secondary school and a tertiary training provider. As an academy Hub school, Awatapu College in Palmerston North is hosting the U-Skills Small Motors programme. U-Skills are also offering a Fashion and Beauty programme, Electrotechnology (Electrical and Electronics) and Joinery at the Palmerston North UCOL campus. These programmes are available to students from any school in the region. U-Skills training will be provided one day a week at UCOL or in blocks across the week at the Hub school. The other days are spent at school studying towards NCEA. The study is free and transport is funded.

Awatapu has already filled its quota of U-Skills students but there are still vacancies for students who want to study at the UCOL campus.

The Manager of U-Skills Jacqui Phillips says it’s a brilliant new initiative that brings gains for the Manawatu region. “It’s an opportunity for young people to get tertiary level training that will start them on their chosen career path. U-Skills students will also have contact with local employers, as well as careers and personal development support.

“It’s a great way to encourage young people into trades where there are skill shortages in many areas – with more shortages predicted in the future.”

Jacqui says studying under U-Skills offers the best of both worlds to students taking part. “They can continue to enjoy the support of their school environment and keep their friends, cultural and sporting activities, while experiencing study at a tertiary level and starting to build a career. They can look forward to excellent, sustainable pay rates in trades’ areas.”

Jacqui says students have great options at the end of their U-Skills study year: “We will assist students to plan their future pathways. This may include staying at school, going onto further tertiary study, moving into employment or an apprenticeship. These are excellent ways forward for young people and also bring gains for employers and the local economy.”

For an enrolment pack or more information phone 0800 46 8265.

Construction programmes such as carpentry and joinery will have a brand new facility to work from. Students will be able to build houses in a purpose built area on the upper campus’ Chapel Street frontage, in real, on-the-job conditions. A big new construction building will have all the equipment needed for construction activities covered in UCOL’s National Certificate in Carpentry, which offers students skills equivalent to those learned in the first year of a building apprenticeship.

The joinery programme offers foundation skills that prepare students for work within the industry. There are some free fee places available for 16 and 17 year olds who want to leave school but also gain some qualifications, as part of the Youth Guarantee Scheme.  People interested in this, and other Youth Guarantee programmes such as automotive, hairdressing, cookery, early childhood education, health science or business administration and computing, should contact Sharon Jolliffe at UCOL on 946 2300 up until 21 December and then from 9 January 2012. Programmes start in February 2012. New science and clinical laboratories will also be ready next year for students in programmes such as nursing, health science, sports, and beauty. Campus Manager Angela Hewitt said these laboratories will be used often as part of the students’ learning experience and they replace existing facilities that do not meet UCOL’s earthquake safety requirements.

Students will also enjoy a re-vamped, centralized place on campus for all student services. Located on the upper campus, the café, learning support, disability support, health nurse and students association will all be together under one roof.  The area will also be home to the library service, which includes computers for study purposes, wireless access for laptops and relevant online and textbook resources.

All work starts over the Christmas break, and will be ready in mid February 2012, in advance of most students’ arrival for the start of the study year. There will be minimal disruption for students who start in January, and temporary library facilities will be available.

For more information please contact:

Angela Hewitt, Campus Manager, Ph. 946 2300.

For four days every week, Marvin hitch hiked from his home in Dannevirke to UCOL’s Palmerston North campus, to study for his Certificate in Electrical and Related Trades.

The 43 year old’s dedication to his studies gained recognition from the Tararua REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) organisation which awarded him an Outstanding Learners Award during Adult Learners Week/He Tangata Mātauranga in November.

Photo: Left to right – Marvin at the Adult Learners Award ceremony with Claudia Nicholson from Te Wananga O Tamaki Nui A Rua and Ian Rowe from AKO Aotearoa.

The week is an occasion for raising the profile of adult learning in New Zealand and to celebrate the wide range of learning opportunities available, and the impact that adult learning has on people’s lives.

Marvin (Ngati Kahunungu Rangitane) says it was very gratifying to be nominated for the award.

In her supporting statement for Marvin’s nomination, UCOL Community Liaison officer Kay Coley says, “Marvin has no mode of transport other than relying on the good will of others as he steps out daily in all kinds of weather to hitch hike every day to his course to Palmerston North. That is 110 kms each day. In the winter months, and also with the Gorge closure, that is no mean feat.”

Adult & Community Education Coordinator for Tararua REAP Marianne Gemmell, says Marvin ticked all the boxes for the awards criteria. “The Adult Learners Awards recognise our local community learners, who had taken themselves out of their comfort zones to attend adult training, upskill, further their education and become role models to their children, grandchildren, family/whanau and peers.”

Marvin studied towards a National Certificate in Automotive Engineering last year but lacked the determination to complete to Level 3.

“I got into a bad habit of saying I was dumb, but with the encouragement of the UCOL lecturers I have learnt that I’m not,” says Marvin. “Now I get annoyed when people say they are dumb. They are
not, they are just lazy.”

“This year I was committed to get to classes and finish what I started,” he says.  That meant putting out his thumb for a ride across the Tararua Ranges.

“I really enjoyed hitch hiking and I met some really interesting people,” he says. “I treated the experience as taonga (treasure).”

The nine Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance students spent four mornings at Fernridge Primary School, supervising sports activities for 50 energetic school pupils.

UCOL Sports and Exercise lecturer Jon Bailey says the activity is a valuable part of the Certificate’s Sport Coaching module. “The students get a real life impression of the planning, preparation and patience involved in coordinating sports activities for youngsters.”

For two hours each morning, the UCOL students organised basketball, football and rugby games among the throng of enthusiastic pupils. “It was a brief respite for the busy teachers and the children loved getting out of the classroom and being active,” says Jon.

“The Sports Certificate students go out to a different school each year,” says Jon. “We’d like to extend it in the future and offer our expertise to different age groups.”

Campus Manager Angela Hewitt says the school sports initiative is valuable for both UCOL students and the participating schools.

“Our students get to share their knowledge and abilities, and gain real life work experience at the same time,” she says. “It is just one of many exciting teaching innovations across all UCOL Wairarapa programmes, where the students take their skills out into the community.”