Our tutors are the heart of Toi Ohomai and whānaungatanga is part of everything we do here. As students of Toi Ohomai, you’ll feel a sense of family, of welcome.

Our friendly learning spaces and smaller class sizes will give you confidence as you gain new skills that will lead you into the future, and our tutors will be there for you every step of the way.

Your success is what we’re all about!

  • Andriy Kovalenko

    Andriy Kovalenko

    School of Te Kura Māori, Pathways, Business and IT


    Andriy joined Toi Ohomai as a business management lecturer in 2013. Since then, he has been teaching marketing and research related courses, supervising Master’s students and coordinating the Master of Management course. In addition to a PhD in Marketing Management from University of Otago, he has a MSc in Media Management from Syracuse… Read full profile

  • Dave Bishop

    Dave Bishop

    School of Design, Innovation and Service Industries

    Creative, Music and Performance

    Dave is a music tutor at Toi Ohomai. He's also a New Zealand singer-songwriter and music educator with a contemporary performance and recording history of over 30 years.  

    Dave is actively involved in the music industry and has contributed to ten commercial musical releases, both as a band member and a solo… Read full profile

  • Dave Guccione

    Dave Guccione

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies, Environmental Management

    Dave joined Toi Ohomai in 2007 and teaches papers on invertebrate biology, fisheries management, and statistics. 

    "I’m passionate about teaching and sharing my experiences and critical thinking skills with our amazing students," Dave says.

    He's always been passionate about outdoor pursuits and put some direction into those… Read full profile

  • Erin Kennedy

    Erin Kennedy

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies, Environmental Management

    Erin joined the Environmental teaching team at Toi Ohomai in 2017. She teaches across all three years of the diploma/degree course, mainly in the areas of geology, terrestrial ecology, waste management and the regulatory environment. 

    Prior to joining Toi Ohomai, she was teaching biology courses at the University of Auckland and… Read full profile

  • Kathryn Ross

    Kathryn Ross

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies, Environmental Management

    Kathryn joined Toi Ohomai in 2019 and teaches across all levels of the Environmental programmes.

    She completed a doctorate with a research focus on predictive modelling and management of intertidal habitats for shorebirds which helped to hone her skills and passion for wildlife monitoring and statistics.

    After a short stint… Read full profile

  • Paul Warren

    Paul Warren

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies

    Having completed his Diploma in Marine Studies at Toi Ohomai in 2004, Paul enjoyed it so much he didn't want to leave and joined the teaching crew the following year.

    He's held several roles both practical and academic, including dive training, scientific diving, and skippering boats. He also teaches … Read full profile

  • Caroline Schweder-Goad

    Caroline Schweder-Goad

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies

    Caroline teaches a range of subjects including marine mammals, aquaculture, marine tourism, fisheries management, marine reporting (projects) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

    After completing two bachelor’s degrees and a teaching diploma, she spent three years teaching science, biology and Spanish at a secondary school… Read full profile

  • Craig Morley

    Craig Morley

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Environmental Management

    Craig is an environmental scientist who blends academic expertise with innovation and conservation advocacy. 

    Craig leads initiatives at Toi Ohomai, where he designs and teaches advanced Master's programmes in applied science, addressing crucial areas such as ecology, conservation, and biodiversity.

    Craig is the visionary… Read full profile

  • Dan Sharp

    Daniel Sharp

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies

    Daniel has a strong interest in sustainable fisheries and teaches aquaculture and marine surveying papers within the marine studies diploma. He also coordinates the PADI Dive Instructors course in which he finds to be one of the most rewarding courses he's involved with at Toi Ohomai.

    He holds a Graduate Diploma… Read full profile

  • Dean Tully

    Dean Tully

    School of Health, Education and Environment

    Marine Studies, Environmental Management

    Dean joined Marine Studies in 1994. Although he spends more time on the paperwork side of things now, Dean looks forward to working in the field with students.  

    He teaches Marine Vertebrates (Level 5), Freshwater Ecology and Monitoring and Coral Reef Ecology and Monitoring (Level 6), as well as Marine Surveying.

    He holds a… Read full profile