Fees-FREE online learning launched for Northlanders
NorthTec and TANZ eCampus are launching a fees-free online learning initiative, to help
Northlanders upskill or reskill if they have been impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic.
NorthTec and TANZ eCampus are already partners delivering fully online learning for students to study in their own home and at their own pace.
Unfortunately, unemployment is predicted to rise sharply as the country deals with the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic, with difficult times ahead for many people who might find themselves needing to upskill or learn new skills to support a move into different industries and jobs.
To support people and employers in our region, NorthTec is building further on the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) ‘Fees Free’ options, to ensure we can offer fees-free learning to all people in our region.
The initiative is aimed at helping people upskill or learn new skills in order to help the region’s economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Learners can also access Chromebook devices from NorthTec to help them study from home.
To benefit from the fees-free initiative, learners need to enrol by 18 May.
NorthTec Chief Executive, Wayne Jackson, said: “We recognise that this is a very difficult time for many people, and that there will be job losses across the region. While people are unable to work, and forced to stay home during the lockdown, this initiative will help them retrain through quality education with no fees attached.
“TANZ eCampus is a fully online platform and is staffed by trained and experienced tutors who support learners throughout their studies. It’s a great way to study if you are unable to leave home, and with no fees it will be a really productive way for people to use their time while the country is in this unprecedented situation.”
The NorthTec eCampus portfolio of programmes can be found at
www.northtec.ac.nz...... , along with details on how to enquire and apply.
In association with this initiative, NorthTec has also secured Chromebooks that can be used to support students who do not have a device to study from home. Learners who require a Chromebook will be given details when they enrol.
NorthTec can provide details of a range of data support schemes that are available to support learning if required; again, details can be provided to students at the point of enrolment.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
-
31.7% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
-
68.3% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Something we all seem to have forgotten
An Obituary to Common Sense printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons like:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge)
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death;
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights,
- I Want It Now,
- Someone Else Is To Blame,
- I'm A Victim,
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing…
This is a modified version of a text that is originally attributed to Lori Borgman. However, it is more true today than it was when first written. It is not the version I remember, but it still gets the point across. Enjoy and remember.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Loading…
