Patrick Lander

Recently-appointed head of EIT’s School for Health and Sport Science Dr Patrick Lander values exercise and education.

Patrick has worked his way through qualifications in leisure and tourism, applied sports science, exercise physiology and EIT’s Certificate in General Farm Skills.

His journey through academia started in the English East Midlands and the interest in a rural lifestyle stems from his family’s roots in Derbyshire. Along the way exercise has always been part of his life.

“I was diagnosed with asthma at an early age,” he says, “and my parents introduced me to swimming to help manage my symptoms.”

Patrick was a pool swimmer for many years, which helped maintain his health. Since moving to New Zealand, he has competed in open water races in the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series held at venues around the country.

Seconded to head EIT’s School for Health and Sport Science for 18 months from his position as senior lecturer in recreation and sport, Patrick takes over from Glen Harkness, who has been appointed academic integration

manager at EIT Tairäwhiti for the same period of time.

The school offers programmes in health and fitness, recreation and sport, beauty and body therapy, massage, hairdressing and community health on EIT’s Hawke’s Bay and Tairäwhiti campuses.

“Whilst in the role of Head of School, I am looking forward to learning more about pedicures, petrissage and perms.”

Patrick’s passion for education and exercise is shared by wife Renata Lander, an EIT lecturer working with the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Trades Academy and the recreation and sport team.

“We were attracted to EIT and Hawke’s Bay,” Patrick says, when asked what prompted the move to the region. “EIT is a growing institution and Hawke’s Bay seems a great place to continue a lifelong commitment to education and exercise.”