Nationally recognised ceramicists tutored studio classes at regional centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Otaki, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch, contracted and paid-for by the Otago Polytechnic.

Drawing, Art History and Theory and Glaze Technology were delivered by part-time campus staff on-line from 2003.

This initiative had been developed by Neil Grant, who retired as Head of Ceramics in 2003,  but continued as a part-time lecturer on a permanent basis as the Distance Learning Programme Coordinator.

He is well known for his distinctive reworking of traditional Shino-Japanese pottery into a fusion of Anglo-Oriental[6] forms but recreating them in new and exciting ways.

At the Auckland Secondary Teachers’ College Grant was introduced to the practice of pottery by Peter Smith, Principal Lecturer in the Visual Arts Department.

He attended pottery throwing demonstrations at Auckland University Extension classes run by Barry Brickell.

A major influence was the work and practice of Len Castle and the Auckland Studio Potters Group established in 1961.

In 1979 Grant travelled to the USA on a QEII Study Award to visit ceramic departments at American tertiary institutions, meeting notable potters including Richard Shaw, John Mason, Peter Voulkos, Wayne Higby and William Daley.