Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
1 hour ago
Dr Andrew Garrett is the new Head of EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science.
A former Commonwealth Games triathlete, who has been appointed the Head of EIT’s School of Health and Sport Science, is keen to use his new role to promote health, sport and exercise,
Dr Andrew Garrett represented the Isle of Man in the triathlon at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and said that he knew then that he wanted to return to live in New Zealand.
“It was the first time I came to New Zealand. After competing and obviously enjoying the Commonwealth Games itself, I told myself that I would come back here at some point. And in 1996, I came back to a teaching post at Wintec in Hamilton.”
Currently living in Christchurch since December when he moved back here with his New Zealand raised wife Karen, Andrew had been Sport, Health and Exercise Science Programme Director and Graduate Research Director at the University of Hull..
Sport has played a big role in Andrew’s life being a former international triathlete. He is a keen veteran athlete having recently completed a 100-mile cycling sportive and several half Iron triathlons. He plans to take part in the Taupo half Ironman next March. His applied sport science work on preparing athletes for the Marathon des Sables has received television media attention in the UK from BBC Look North News and BBC Radio Humberside.
He says that he is looking forward to his new role. Initially he will be working remotely from Christchurch until his wife finishes her job there, but he will be commuting up to Napier regularly.
While he was drawn to the lifestyle offered by Hawke’s Bay, it was having a leadership role that attracted him. He is also keen to get to know the staff and EIT’s systems.
“After a period of uncertainty, there’s also an opportunity to provide some stability for the school at the institution.”
Andrew says the School of Health and Sport Science also has a role to play in bringing exercise into people’s lives to enhance the quality of life.
“I think that exercise can be paramount in balancing the mental health side of things. Our programmes show that there are now more opportunities available work-wise than perhaps weren’t available five or ten years ago. Exercise specialists are becoming more accessible to most people these days and at all stages of life.”
Andrew’s main area of research expertise are the markers of fatigue in temperature regulation during exercise in the time of climate change and he was an Associate Member of the Hull York Medical School (HYMS). His PhD work was funded by the Australian Military based at the University of Otago in New Zealand (Induction and decay of heat acclimation) and in collaboration with the Otago Medical School. He received an MSc in Sport Science from Loughborough University and his undergraduate degree is from the University of Wales in Cardiff.
Helen Ryan-Stewart, EIT’s Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, said: “Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, and we are confident that he will make a significant contribution to the success of the School of Health and Sport Science.”
“Whilst Andrew is currently working remotely, we are excited to welcome him to Hawke’s Bay soon so that he can immerse himself in our community to achieve the best outcomes for our ākonga.”
