Kaelieb Hare
Kaelieb Hare (Tūhourangi, Ngāi Tūhoe), a hospitality management student at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, has secured a role at Te Puia - Rotorua’s premier Māori cultural centre - before even completing his qualification.
Kaelieb is studying towards a Diploma in Hospitality Management (Level 5) and is set to graduate in March. He’s already gaining hands-on experience across both the café and restaurant at Te Puia, where he works part-time while balancing his studies.
“I work in food and beverage service,” says Kaelieb. “In Pātaka Kai (the restaurant), it’s more service-focussed with waiting tables. In Hiakai (the café), I’m behind the counter and get to build rapport with manuhiri (customers).”
“Te Puia is an awesome place to work! The team knows I study and they’re really supportive. They help me fit my shifts around my classes. During term time, I work a double shift on Saturdays, as well as Friday and Sunday afternoons. On term break, they roster me on extra shifts as I have no classes,” he says.
Kaelieb learnt about the range of hospitality programmes available at Toi Ohomai when he took part in the institute’s Secondary Tertiary Partnerships (STP) programme, which connects Year 11 – 13 students with industry-aligned training options during their final years of high school.
“I went to Rotorua Lakes High School and I completed STP on campus at Toi Ohomai in Rotorua in 2023 and 2024… but I knew hospitality and tourism was where I wanted to go,” Kaelieb says.
Kaelieb sought support from the Toi Ohomai Careers and Employability team, who helped him with his scholarship applications and résumé. The Engagement Facilitators also assisted him in navigating StudyLink to receive a student allowance, and he credits his Nan for encouraging him to apply for grants from Paehinahina and Whangamoa Trusts through Deloitte, which he successfully received.
“I’m really grateful for the support I’ve had. I’ve worked throughout my studies to help keep my course fees down too. I gained three years’ experience working at McDonalds, then connected with people at Te Puia who helped me get my foot in the door,” Kaelieb says.
Time management has played a big part in Kaelieb’s success. He says he keeps a running list of tasks and tackles the easiest ones first to build momentum.
“I always have my assignments in the back of my mind. Once I tick something off, it motivates me to keep going.”
Reflecting on his time at Toi Ohomai, Kaelieb says the environment has helped him stay motivated.
“It’s been really good. I find it easy to make friends and the tutors are really supportive. They genuinely want you to do well.”
Chanel Coromandel, a Careers and Employability Facilitator at Toi Ohomai, says Kaelieb is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through a proactive mindset and hard work.
“Kaelieb had a clear vision for his tertiary journey. He made use of the support available, and wasn’t afraid to ask for help. He has a bright future ahead of him, and with his can-do attitude we know he’ll go from strength to strength in hospitality and tourism,” Chanel says.
Looking ahead, Kaelieb’s long-term goal is to open his own coffee shop. But for now, he’s happily focused on growing his hospitality skills and looking for opportunities to network and connect with new people along the way.