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At Ara Institute of Canterbury, senior automotive tutor Richard Hope has received a national award for teaching excellence, recognised for his creative and inclusive approach supporting Māori, Pacific, neurodiverse, and disabled learners.

Hope adapts hands-on workshops for students with mobility challenges, provides online resources for D/deaf learners, and offers one-on-one guidance for those who find conventional assessments difficult. He also translates key materials into te reo Māori and allows tasks to be completed in multiple formats, helping all students participate fully.

Hope’s work demonstrates how flexible teaching can make vocational education engaging, accessible, and relevant to students with diverse needs.

Read more about Richard on the Ako Aotearoa website.