Our Tutors

Leah Friis teaches the New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s Rotorua campus. She joined the institute in 2020 and has more than two decades of experience working across both boutique and high-volume salons in New Zealand and abroad, as a senior stylist, supervisor and mentor.

Leah… Read full profile

David Tiumalu teaches the New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering (Level 4) at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s Tauranga Campus. Throughout his career, he has supported more than 500 ākonga (learners) into careers in the barbering industry.

David joined Toi Ohomai in early 2026 after more than a decade teaching at a private… Read full profile

Anne teaches in the Master of Management programme, specialising in Research Methods, Change Management and the supervision of master’s theses. Her teaching focuses on building students’ capability in leading organisational change, research design, critical thinking, and ethical scholarly practice. 

She works closely with learners,… Read full profile

Peter is a Principal Academic Staff Member teaching and supervising across the Master of Management and MAPS programmes. 

He is based in Melbourne, where he and his wife relocated following her appointment to a senior local government leadership role in Victoria, and he continues to work closely with learners across Aotearoa New… Read full profile

Rani teaches in the Master of Applied Professional Studies programme on the Mentoring and Leadership Strand which includes specialist subject areas around reflective practice, communication, and leadership practices.

She supports students to develop critical thinking/writing, and research skills, while working towards improving their own… Read full profile

When he’s not teaching the next generation of automotive technicians and mechanics at the Toi Ohomai Taupō campus, Academic Staff Member – Automotive Apprenticeships, Steve Comber, can be found on the sidelines at racetracks around the world.

Steve contracts part-time to Prime Speed Sport, a Kiwi company based out of Hampton Downs and… Read full profile

Ruth is a Senior Academic Staff Member in the Master of Applied Professional Studies (MAPS) team, teaching in the Adult Teaching and Mentoring and Leadership strands. 

She has a background in secondary school English teaching, EdTech, information literacy, embedding literacy into programme teaching, and in supporting learners with… Read full profile

Matt teaches Research Protocols and leads the dissertation programme within the Master of Applied Professional Studies. His work focuses on supporting postgraduate students to conduct rigorous research and develop the skills needed to contribute meaningful knowledge in their fields.

Matt holds a PhD in Sport Science from Massey… Read full profile

Paddy has been part of the Environmental Management teaching team since 2002 and teaches the Biological Surveying courses, and also advises students on their research projects. 

Paddy has many years experience carrying out various ecological and field surveys in New Zealand, including for the Department of Conservation, Regional… Read full profile

Elena joined Toi Ohomai in 2021 and teaches across a range of subjects, including freshwater ecology, waste management, terrestrial invertebrates, and research design and methodology. She enjoys helping students connect theory with real-world practice, particularly during field-based learning and student research projects.

Elena holds a… Read full profile