Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created a continual fluctuation in day-to-day operations. In August 2021 Aotearoa went into a chapter in its pandemic history comprised of a series of lengthy lockdowns, vaccination campaigns, spread of COVID-19 in the community, and a move from the “Four-level” lockdown system to a “Traffic-light” system. It was also the longest period of continuous online classes for a number of institutions traditionally oriented to face-to-face delivery, including the Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus (OPAIC). In April 2022, however, students and staff returned back to the offices and classes. This period was associated with a number of anxieties, hopes, expectations and worries, and it is important to understand some of the biggest challenges for both staff and students to prepare transition plans for any potential future lockdowns or shifts between online and offline classes. The article presents data collected through a series of surveys and focus groups on campus at OPAIC exploring the biggest challenges and perceived risks identified by the learners. The data was collected during the beginning of face-to-face classes after a long period of online sessions as well as a few weeks into a new study block with mostly face-to-face contact. The analysis discusses existing and potential approaches to managing the challenges. The purpose of the project is to capture and explore this unique transition in the history of the campus to better inform future approaches to delivery models and pastoral care.

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