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ABOUT WHITECLIFFE

Whitecliffe has continued to develop and extend the reach into Higher Education and has continued to invest in understanding industry gaps and demands, responding to these through innovative and student-centric programmes to continue to meet education needs in New Zealand, aligned with the sectors we serve and to ensure Whitecliffe graduates are highly employable and recognised for their work readiness.

Whitecliffe College is New Zealand’s highest-ranked and awarded institution in the private education sector and is a long-standing Category One Private Training Establishment, established in 1984.

Whitecliffe strives to actively collaborate and connect with aligned industry to ensure work-integrated learning, excellent academic programmes and actively preparing our graduates for the professions they pursue.​

Our graduates are trailblazers, they are confident in their skills and leaders of the future!



Our vision

Our Vision is to be globally recognised as a centre of education excellence, and New Zealand’s leading private tertiary higher education provider in key sectors of technology, education, creativity, innovation, and research.​

We are committed to empowering trailblazers, nurturing leaders, and fostering creative thinkers who confidently make a positive impact in the world. We are the first choice.​ Our approach reflects our belief that creativity has the power to transform how people see and experience the world.



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Our Offering

Whitecliffe stands as a cornerstone in New Zealand's private education landscape, boasting a storied combined legacy of over one hundred and thirty years dedicated to exemplary teaching and educational excellence across the departments of fine arts, design, fashion design, IT and creative art therapies.

The consolidation of three of the oldest PTEs in New Zealand has positioned Whitecliffe as a key player in the tertiary education sector. Offering a spectrum of programmes from certificates, degrees and up to the master's level (levels 4 - 9), Whitecliffe is synonymous with academic distinction, and is committed to shaping students into global citizens in society and leaders within their respective professional fields..​

The combined education legacy is comprised of:

  • Whitecliffe College of Art and Design (est. 1984)
  • NZ Fashion Tech (est. 1974)
  • Computer Power Plus (est. 1968)

In an era defined by rapid technological progress, AI and dynamic change, the demand for creative minds adept at adaptation, problem-solving, and innovation is incessantly burgeoning. Whitecliffe bridges this skills gap through a higher education ethos that places great importance on creativity, critical thinking and agility.


Our industry-ready graduates can apply their skills and have had excellent exposure to work-based learning and application. Our graduates stand out and lead through their connection to industry and creative thinking prowess. Accolades adorn Whitecliffe’s journey, celebrating its faculty, students, and alumni. Noteworthy recognition from industry advisory boards and regulatory bodies such as NZQA, underscored by a string of positive reviews and monitoring appraisals, underscore Whitecliffe’s commitment to academic excellence.

Whitecliffe has continued to expand reach and is actively spearheading international expansion initiatives across Europe, Canada, Australia, China, and the UAE. With a globalimpact and connection, future graduates stand to benefit from these connections to world-class education and qualifications at the leading edge, whilst passionately linked to roots in New Zealand. Whitecliffe remains steadfastly committed to fostering strategic partnerships with industry through long-established advisory boards and connections linked to each faculty, guiding education development and enhancements. With an unwavering focus on delivering top-tier education that equips students for success in an ever-evolving world, Whitecliffe epitomizes excellence in education, creativity, and innovation.

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Our Socials

Got a question about our socials? Reach out to Elisa Ramirez at socialmedia@whitecliffe.ac.nz - she’ll be happy to help!

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Board of Governors

At Whitecliffe, our Board of Governors plays a vital role in shaping the direction of our institution. With diverse expertise across education, business, and the creative industries, they provide strategic leadership to help us grow and thrive. Their vision ensures we stay true to our values while embracing new opportunities for our students and community.

Feroz Ali Owner Whitecliffe

Feroz Ali

Executive Chairman

Feroz is a dynamic entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in New Zealand and most recently ...

Derek McCormack, Board member, Board of governors, Whitecliffe, team, member

Derek McCormack

Board member

Derek McCormack was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of AUT in 2004, a role which he only recentl ...

Dr Caroline Seelig Whitecliffe Board Member

Dr Caroline Seelig

Board member

Dr Caroline Seelig has 30 years of experience as a senior manager in the New Zealand tertiary edu ...

Daniel Nakhle, Director, Board of Governors, Whitecliffe, team, member

Daniel Nakhle

Director

Daniel has directorships and interests in a wide range of industries and businesses. These encomp ...

Anita Killeen Board Member Whitecliffe

Anita Killeen

Board member

Anita offers a combination of hands-on practical commercial, legal and governance skills to clien ...

Tim Jennison, Board member, Board of Governors, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Tim Jennison

Board member

Tim was the Chief Financial Officer of a diversified education group for ten years, which followe ...

Leadership team

At Whitecliffe, our Senior Leadership Team is at the heart of everything we do. They bring together strategy, management, and innovation expertise to guide us towards a bright and inspiring future. Their leadership helps shape the student experience, foster creative excellence, and ensure Whitecliffe continues to thrive in a dynamic world.

Fay Amaral, Chief Executive Officer, Leadership, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member, CEO

Dr Fay Amaral

Chief Executive Officer New Zealand + Australia

Fay Amaral is a seasoned executive leader with over 20 years of executive leadership experience a ...

Dr Raymond Young, Chief Academic Officer, Leadership, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Raymond Young

Chief Academic Officer

Prior to joining Whitecliffe in 2018, Raymond held a range of teaching, faculty management, and s ...

Juanita Prinsloo, Director of Marketing and Communications, Leadership, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Juanita Prinsloo

Director of Marketing and Communications

Juanita has 15 years of experience in marketing, branding, communications, and sales across vario ...

Fahim Hussain, Director of Business Services, Leadership, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member, Finance

Fahim Hussain

Director of Business Services

Fahim has over 10 years’ experience in senior audit and finance leadership roles across a wide ...

Rosie Boxall, Director of Sales and Stakeholder Engagement, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe member, Leadership, Director, sales

Rosie Boxall

Director of Sales and Stakeholder Engagement

Rosie was previously Head of Strategic Partnerships at Universities UK International, which repre ...

Mark Chelton Director of People and Culture Whitecliffe

Mark Chelton

Director of People and Culture

Mark has a broad international HR background with over 10 years’ experience in Senior Peopl ...

Faculty members

At Whitecliffe, our faculty is more than a team of educators - they’re mentors, innovators, and industry leaders passionate about shaping the future of creative arts, design, fashion, and technology.
With a commitment to excellence in teaching and research, our faculty empowers students to push boundaries, challenge ideas, and turn their creative vision into reality. They bring real-world experience, fresh thinking, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today’s creative landscape.

At Whitecliffe, you'll learn from the best - people who believe in your potential and are here to help you thrive!

Deborah Green, Head of School, Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Deborah Green

Head of School

Creative Art Therapies

She began her career of interwoven arts, education and health in South Africa. Within the South A ...

Amelia Yiakmis, Lecturer, Creative Arts Therapy, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Amelia-Jayne Yiakmis

Lecturer

Creative Art Therapies

Amelia-Jayne Yiakmis MACAT (Clinical) (Hons), GradDip Exp Therapies, B Comm, is a coordinator and ...

Kathrin Marks, Lecturer, Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Kathrin Marks

Lecturer

Creative Art Therapies

Kathrin has been part of the Whitecliffe whānau as a part-time lecturer since January 2018, even ...

Rob Mills, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rob Mills

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Rob Mills is a design thinker, educator, and creative freelancer with a Master’s degree in Digi ...

Rebecca Steedman, Programme Leader, Design Innovation, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rebecca Steedman

Programme Leader

Design Innovation

Rebecca Steedman is a design educator, designer, and artist with over 12 years of educational exp ...

Rebecca Stokes, Becky, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Becky Stokes

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Becky’s experience ranges in the fields of digital media, marketing, and videography. She holds ...

Chris Chong, Lecturer (Contractor), Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Chris Chong

Lecturer (Contractor)

Design Innovation

Chris has over 36 years of commercial experience in the creative industry. Including 30 years as ...

Mark Bradford, Senior Lecturer, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Dr Mark Bradford

Senior Lecturer

Design Innovation

Dr. Mark Bradford has a PhD (Business, Massey University), MFA (Intermedia, RMIT University) and ...

Roman Mitch, Lecturer, Leading Researcher, Design Innovation, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, membermember

Dr Roman Mitch

Lecturer / Leading Researcher

Design Innovation

Roman is an artist and full-stack developer with a long-standing involvement in the arts and cult ...

Uelese Vavae, Lecturer, Design Innovation, Design, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Uelese Vavae

Lecturer

Design Innovation

Uelese is a graduate of the Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts and is teaching the Certificate of Di ...

Veronica Frankovich, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Veronica Frankovich

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Veronica’s extensive fashion background spans from traditional fashion methodology to graphic a ...

Angela Newson, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability,Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Angela Newson

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Angela holds a Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology from Massey University, where she receive ...

Denise Callan, Lecturer, Fashion + Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Denise Callan

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Denise Callan graduated from Whitecliffe College with a Bachelor in Jewellery Design and Technolo ...

Doula Matheos, Programme Leader, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Doula Matheos

Programme Leader

Fashion + Sustainability

Doula has a rich background in fashion design, having graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Fashi ...

Giles Peterson, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Giles Peterson

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Giles Peterson is a distinguished educator and independent curator at Whitecliffe College of Arts ...

Harita Kapur, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Harita Kapur

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Harita Kapur is an academic and design professional with over 30 years of experience in integrati ...

Heather Hohenberger, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Heather Hohenberger

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Working with such a diverse range of people brings Heather immense satisfaction. She truly believ ...

Lisa Holst, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Lisa Holst

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

As a graduate of the Wellington Polytechnic School of Fashion, Lisa discovered her passion for fa ...

Michelle Wetherell, Whitecliffe Head of School, Whitecliffe Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Michelle Wetherell

Head of School - Fashion + Sustainability

Fashion + Sustainability

Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Fashion from Central Saint Martins, a Postgraduate Certific ...

Nicole van Vuuren, Whitecliffe Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Fashion, Sustainability, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Nicole van Vuuren

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Nicole integrates innovative design methodologies with a commitment to sustainability and critica ...

Susan Barter, Lecturer, Fashion + Sustainability, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Susan Barter

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Born in Yorkshire during a time when crafting and repurposing were everyday practices, Susan Bart ...

Tannaz Barkhordari, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Fashion, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Tannaz Barkhordari

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Tannaz Barkhordari is a fashion designer and educator, specialising in sustainable fashion practi ...

Pip Stevenson

Pip Stevenson

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Pip has been involved in the fashion industry since completing her Bachelor of Design (Fashion) a ...

Christina Doherty, Lecturer, School of Fashion and Sustainability, Fashion, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Christina Doherty

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

Christina has enjoyed a wonderfully diverse career. This has encompassed the design of lingerie, ...

SuJin Lim, Lecturer, Fashion and Sustainability, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

SuJin Lim

Lecturer

Fashion + Sustainability

SuJin is an experienced jewellery CAD designer who has been serving the New Zealand industry sinc ...

David Cowlard, Senior Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

David Cowlard

Senior Lecturer

Fine Arts

David Cowlard is a senior lecturer with specialist teaching experience in lens-based practices, d ...

Anton Maurer, Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Anton Maurer

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Anton Maurer is an artist and educator, with a practice grounded in lens-based media.

...
Caryline Boreham, Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, Employee, staff, Whitecliffe, Team, Member

Caryline Boreham

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Caryline Boreham is an artist and educator whose recent work blends a photography practice with a ...

Christina Read, Senior Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Christina Read

Senior Lecturer

Fine Arts

Christina Read’s artwork is bright, playful, and vulnerable. The UK-born Tāmaki-based artist ...

Glen Snow, Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Glen Snow

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Glen Snow gained his Masters at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland (UOA) in 2012. H ...

Lynnemaree Patterson, Programme Leader, Certificate in Arts + Design, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Lynnemaree Patterson

Programme Leader - Certificate in Arts + Design

Fine Arts

Lynnemaree is a senior lecturer in Fine Arts. She gained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (2006) and a M ...

Matt Dowman, Lecturer, Fine Arts, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Matt Dowman

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Matt Dowman received his BFA from Whitecliffe in 2002, and a MFA with honours from Auckland Unive ...

Matt Ellwood, Head of School Fine Arts, Fine Arts, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Matt Ellwood

Head of School Fine Atrs

Fine Arts

Matt is an artist and educator with 30 years of experience in the arts sector.

He is Head ...

Noel Ivanoff, Whitecliffe lecturer. Fine Arts, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Noel Ivanoff

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Noel completed his undergraduate studies at the School of Art, Otago Polytechnic before completin ...

Sonya Lacey, Programme Leader, Fine Arts, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Sonya Lacey

Programme Leader

Fine Arts

Sonya Lacey completed an MFA through Auckland University’s Elam School of Fine Arts and is the ...

Richard Maloy, Programme Leader, Fine Arts, BFA, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Richard Maloy

Programme Leader

Fine Arts

Richard Maloy completed his MFA from the University of Auckland in 2001. He employs a multi-disci ...

Rose Meyer, Lecturer, School of Fine Arts, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Rose Meyer

Lecturer

Fine Arts

Rose Meyer gained a Master of Fine Art with First Class Honours in 2015 and a Post Graduate Diplo ...

Amal Das, Lecturer, Information Technology, Whitecliffe

Amal Das

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Amal is a Microsoft as well as Cisco Certified Trainer with wide experience in all aspects of the ...

Elaine Xu, Lecturer, Information Technology, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Elaine Xu

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Elaine joined the School of Information Technology at Whitecliffe in May 2024, where she teaches ...

Pinal Shah

Pinal Shah

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Pinal Shah is a seasoned educator, researcher, author, and creative professional with over 15 yea ...

Dr Muhammad Azam, Head of School, Applied Information Technology, IT, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Dr Muhammad Azam

Head of School

Applied Information Technology

Muhammad is an experienced computer engineer with a demonstrated history of successfully completi ...

Dr Shahbaz Pervez Chattha, Programme Leader, IT, Applied Information Technology, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Dr Shahbaz Pervez Chattha

Programme Leader

Applied Information Technology

Shahbaz Chattha is an expert Computer Engineer with a demonstrated history of successfully comple ...

John Williams, Lab Assistant, Applied Information Technology, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

John Williams

Lab Assistant

Applied Information Technology

John has been an IT Trainer for over 30 years. John joined Whitecliffe as a Lab Assistant in 2023 ...

Dr Simon Yusuf Enoch, Lecturer, Applied Information Technology, IT, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member, Wellington Campus

Dr Simon Yusuf Enoch

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Simon holds a PhD in Computer Science (specializing in Cybersecurity) from the University of Cant ...

Jun Han, Lecturer, Information Technology, Certificate in IT Essentials, Manukau campus, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member, teacher

Jun Han

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Jun Han teaches our Certificate in IT Essentials on our Manukau campus. She joined Whitecliffe la ...