Polytechnic mourns the loss of stand-out student

Tai Poutini Polytechnic staff and students were deeply saddened to learn of the death of student Ari Kingan on Mt Aspiring on Sunday, says Tai Poutini Polytechnic Chief Executive, Allan Sargison.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ari’s family and friends during this difficult time. His loss will be strongly felt at the polytechnic, where Ari has been a stand-out student of our Outdoor Education programme,” Mr Sargison says.

“Ari was a popular student who was totally committed to his training. He was the 2013 recipient of the Cave Creek Student Excellence Award, presented annually to the top outdoor education student based on academic performance. Ari’s tutors have described him as ‘the complete package’,

excelling across all aspects of the programme and working well with fellow students and staff.

“Ari had recently been selected to be part of the New Zealand Alpine Team and was involved in the successful summit of Denali Mt McKinley in Alaska in May this year.

“He took his training seriously and was an experienced mountaineer. Staff and students at TPP were shocked to learn of his death on Mt Aspiring on Sunday and he will be greatly missed here on campus and in the field.”

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