Lecturer honoured for helping others

Otago Polytechnic lecturer Jade Morgan has earned a highly commended citation at the Arts Access Corrections Maui Tikitiki a Taranga Awards 2018.

Jade received the honour from Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis at Parliament Buildings last week.

He was recognised for his use of martial arts and tikanga at Otago Corrections Facility to inspire positive change, and for offering education opportunities to released prisoners at Otago Polytechnic, where he works as a lecturer in the College of Community Development and Personal Wellbeing.

“The award shows me that the work I do is both highly valued and appreciated by both the participants in my course and the management of the prison.

“We have a saying, Ēhara te kūmara e kōrero ana ki tōna reka … a, waiho mā te takata hei kōrero mana — the kūmara does not boast of its own sweetness but instead the community extolls the virtues of the kumara,” Jade says.

Otago Polytechnic CEO Phil Ker says: “Jade is a great example of how you can significantly change your life and add value to your community.

“Education gives people a second chance. It gave Jade that opportunity and he is now giving it back to others.” 

Read more about Jade