Kuku Wawatai has resigned as education and Maori development director at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

The Polytechnic says Kuku will leave behind a legacy of commitment and passion for education, specifically in improving Māori participation and success and engaging disconnected youth.

Kuku Wawatai has resigned as the education and Maori development director at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Polytechnic chief executive Dr Alan Hampton says Kuku had made a significant contribution to the Polytechnic's development and performance.

'Kuku has made the whole institution really think about how we fulfil our role as an education provider, understanding and responding to the learning styles of our students from a cultural and individual perspective.

'This has seen the institution make significant improvements in our success and completion rates across the whole institution.”

The institution's commitment to the principles of Te Waka Hourua, the twin hulled waka, exemplify the impact Kuku's initiatives in influencing how the Polytechnic goes about its business regardless of race or creed, says Alan.

Te Waka Hourua is a philosophy which encompasses taking all people on their learning journey together to the same place, providing the leadership, direction, resources, initiatives and passion to support all learners in their quest to reach their full potential.

Kuku steps down from his position after eight years with the Polytechnic and is looking forward to taking on fresh projects with Ngaiterangi in areas of health and wellbeing.