Latest news with #OtagoPolytechnic
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Central Otago Young Viticulturist winner announced
Carrick vineyard manager Damon Lovell. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Every year I bring attention to both the Young Viticulturist and Young Winemaker competitions as these young men and women are the future of our wine industry; the skills they hone now will be influential in the wines they craft for us in the future. The Central Otago leg of the competition took place in early July at Otago Polytechnic's Central Campus in Bannockburn, contestants rotating around various challenges, including irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease, first aid, budgeting, machinery, pruning, wine tasting, and undertaking an interview. A large wine industry crowd gathered at lunchtime to cheer on the contestants during the BioStart Hortisports race before enjoying a Fruitfed Supplies barbecue. Later that evening contestants delivered their speeches at the awards dinner held at Carrick. Congratulations to Carrick vineyard manager Damon Lovell, who took out the title of 2025 Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year. Damon will now go on to represent Otago in the national finals at the end of August. Congratulations also go to Felix Jordan, of Gibbston Valley Winery, who was second, and Matt Hurnen, of Rippon Vineyard, who came third, both taking out some of the challenging sections through the course of the day. Kudos to all who took part. Vintage 2025 in Central Otago Every year Phil Handford, of Grasshopper Rock, and Misha Wilkinson, of Misha's Vineyard, send me vintage summaries which I find fascinating reading. This year, Phil has collated data across the past couple of decades to give context to the harvest. In 1991, the Central grape harvest was a mere 56 tonnes. In 2025, it was 8700 tonnes though that was well down from the recent peak of nearly 12,600 tonnes in 2022 due to the impact of frost in November last year. The land under vine has remained relatively static since 2012, though has undergone a small boost in the past couple of years rising to a figure of 2163ha. Pinot Noir remains the dominant grape, making up a little under 80% of the harvest on average, with Pinot Gris well back in second spot, Riesling the big loser. Pinot Noir yield per hectare is the lowest since 2010 (again that frost impact), but while volumes will be down, quality looks to be good. If you are keen to take a deep dive into the data, visit the blog page on the Grasshopper Rock website. International Pinot Noir Day All this talk of Central and Pinot Noir is timely as International Pinot Day is August 18. Crack open a bottle to celebrate and these three may add to the temptation! 2022 Te Kano Land Series Northburn Pinot Noir RRP $85 Price Rating Outstanding Gorgeous nose, hints of humus/funk, florality, schist, mixed berryfruits. Vibrant and fresh, fragrant herbs, spices, mineral, ripe fruit yet not dominating, all framed by great structure and crisp acidity. Superfluous hunting for individuals components as this simply works so well as a whole. Fresh, youthful, beguiling, you are left craving another glass. 2022 Nanny Goat Super Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $85 Price Rating Excellent to Outstanding Beautiful florality and perfume lead, smoke, charcuterie, all tied together by the fruit. In the mouth this shows its intent, the tannic backbone growing but not dominating, great depth of flavour but light on its feet. Flecks of dried strawberry on the close. Real elegance, refinement, marvellous length and a sense of quiet completeness to this. Super wine. 2021 Misha's Vineyard Verismo Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $85 Price Rating Outstanding Wonderfully perfumed nose, lifted and brightened by a wisp of balsamic, on a backdrop of red fruits and wild herb. Firmly structured in a good way, again flavour depth without ever seeming heavy, dry, graphite hints, wonderful length. Quite serious and would be a superb accompaniment to food. Great flow through the mouth, the flavours hanging on the close.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Treasury raised concerns about reform
The government's financial watchdog raised serious concerns about Penny Simmonds' reform of polytechnics, the Otago Daily Times can reveal. Papers released under the Official Information Act showed that in March, Treasury had many criticisms about the handling of the breakup of mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga. Among the risks were the potential financial and educational cost of the reforms, the lack of monetary support for the reconstituted polytechnics, the untested "federation model" and the lack of communication between Vocational Education Minister Simmonds and various stakeholders. In the break up of Te Pukenga last month, Otago Polytechnic was named as one of the 10 regional polytechs (ITPs) to be returned to regional control, but it will be part of a "federation model" alongside the Open Polytechnic and Universal College of Learning (Ucol). Treasury cast doubt over the model's financial stability. "Particularly given the narrow focus on ITP viability, we think [Ms Simmonds] could more clearly articulate the package of changes being made to support ITPs' financial viability, and their cumulative impacts. "This is because the proposed future state for ITPs appears to be similar, if not worse, than the situation faced by ITPs pre-Te Pūkenga." It described the federation model as "untested". The scale of changes, the short timelines for implementation and the complexity of changes "with limited implementation resource" all increased the risk for successfully completing the reform, Treasury said. Green MP Francisco Hernandez said the report reinforced what he had been saying about the whole process. "This is a risky reform which has been jeopardised by the minister's haphazard decision-making processes, short timeframes for implementation, and the lack of support for polytechs to undergo the transition. "It is damning that, despite such a difficult and disruptive transition, Treasury advises the future for polytechnics 'appears to be similar, if not worse' than what they were before Te Pūkenga." Otago Polytechnic executive director Dr Megan Potiki was unsurprised. "We note the concerns raised about the scale and short timelines for implementing the changes — establishing 10 ITPs on January 1, 2026 — and the complexity of the changes. "This underscores some of the reasons Otago Polytechnic has requested a meeting [with Ms Simmonds], to explain her recent decisions in more detail and to discuss how we might come to a constructive resolution for the benefit of the Otago community." Ms Simmonds said the government was taking a responsible approach to re-establishing regionally governed polytechnics. The federation model had been clearly communicated, she said. "The federation does not dilute academic achievement or autonomy — it preserves local governance while enabling collaboration, anchored by the Open Polytechnic, on shared services such as online learning resources and academic board.' She said a $157 million contingency was put in place in Budget 2024 to support the transition, if needed. "We expect to use some or all of the contingency, depending on the level of debt and transition costs involved in re-establishing the polytechnics."
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Simmonds ignored advice in Otago Polytech decision
Penny Simmonds went against early advice by allowing Southern Institute of Technology to stand alone and grouping Otago Polytechnic with a pair of North Island-based institutions, it can be revealed. Advice to the vocational education minister released under the Official Information Act showed the decision to not allow Otago Polytechnic to stand alone was made despite it being assessed as "financially viable" along with six other institutions. The advisers from a special vocational education working group gave Ms Simmonds the option of all seven viable institutions - including SIT and Otago Polytechnic standing alone - but recommended the pair be linked together as part of three regional groupings. Otago Polytechnic and SIT should also be grouped with the Open Polytechnic. Ms Simmonds went on to ignore that advice and linked Otago Polytechnic with Palmerston North-based Universal College of Learning (UCOL) and Lower Hutt-based Open Polytechnic; and approved SIT, which she was formerly the chief executive of for 20 years, standing alone. Green MP Francisco Hernandez said the situation was a mess that benefited no-one in vocational education. "Advice shows that Otago Polytech was considered 'viable', even prior to the extensive and disruptive cuts that Otago was forced to undertake thanks to the lack of support." Mr Hernandez said Ms Simmonds must release the advice proactively "so we can examine the basis for the decision making". Otago Polytechnic executive director Dr Megan Pōtiki saw the advisory group's recommendations this week. "This only adds to our confusion about the decision announced last Monday. "In none of the four options shortlisted by the advisory group was Otago Polytechnic listed as a 'non-viable' entity. "We are deeply concerned that Otago Polytechnic has been unfairly singled out, in a decision which appears to have favoured some organisations for reasons other than financial viability." Dr Pōtiki said she was pleased the option of merging Otago Polytechnic and SIT was not adopted. "Both organisations have long and proud histories of providing quality tertiary education in our respective regions, but we have clear differences in our programme strengths and styles of operations. "However, we are still looking forward to a close and collaborative relationship with our closest neighbour going forward." Dr Pōtiki said Otago Polytechnic should be in surplus by the end of the year. "We are again asking the minister to release the criteria she used for making these decisions, and to clearly communicate why Otago Polytechnic was singled out to be moved out of the 'viable' category and included as part of a federation." Ms Simmonds said the debt and cash reserves of both SIT and Otago Polytechnic when they went into Te Pūkenga contributed to the decision. Otago Polytechnic had $16.1 million debt and $1.3 million in cash reserves, SIT had no debt and $40.1 million in cash reserves, of which $15.6 million were ring-fenced. "The paper you are referring to is an early piece of advice and there were several updates made. Otago Polytechnic is one of the 10 institutions being re-established and will stand alone within the new federation of polytechnics. "It was not grouped with SIT or the Open Polytechnic in a combined entity because the final decision adopted the proposed federation model rather than other options proposed during consultation."
Otago Daily Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Polytech boss launches withering attack on government
Otago Polytechnic's boss fears being "dragged down to the lowest common denominator" by the Open Polytechnic, as she stakes her institution's claim for independence. In an interview with the Otago Daily Times , the polytechnic's executive director, Megan Potiki, was withering in her criticism of the government. Topics she covered included Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds' failure to respond requests for meetings and her belief Otago Polytechnic had been singled out for the worst treatment of any institution in the government's shake-up of the sector. Her interview comes as the polytechnic undergoes two separate but simultaneous restructures — one affecting management; the other general staff — and grapples with the fact it has been placed into a federation with the Open Polytechnic and Universal College of Learning rather than being independent. "It feels like we have had completely different treatment to everyone else, it's been utterly unfair. "What was [Ms Simmonds'] understanding to get to this point where she decided that others were going to stand up that were clearly similar to us or worse, in some cases? "We have had no conversation with her about us going into a federation, it was a complete surprise." Dr Potiki likened the situation to "building a ship while we're actually sailing" because the minister had not met her to explain how the federation model would actually work. Otago Polytechnic had one of the highest degree completion rates in the country, and placing it in a federation with Open Polytechnic could drag down its reputation, she said. "Not to be disrespectful to the Open Polytech, but they've got very low completion of degrees. "There's a risk of being dragged down to the lowest common denominator. If our stake in the ground is that we have exceptional learning and great learning outcomes for our akonga and our community, why would we want to put that at risk?" Dr Potiki said Otago Polytechnic's management and staff "bled blue and gold" — and she had been impressed by the community response to its troubles. "We've re-engaged stakeholders and we had a really successful stakeholder meeting the other night with about nearly 80 people and we've got community people who have reached out who care and we're wanting to engage them as well." Dr Potiki said among the institutions to have received better treatment was Invercargill-based Southern Institute of Technology, which was allowed to stand alone. "SIT leadership reached out because, actually, I have a really good relationship with them through Te Pūkenga ... so those are relationships I don't want to burn. "We want to have continued strong relationships in the South Island with all polytechnics. But the minister has muddied the waters." Dr Potiki acknowledged staff would be getting mixed messages in recent times about their future. "We're receiving mixed messages from government. "We just want more clarity and a path for us. "What we're asking staff to consider now is, unfortunately, they've been through this before, and nothing happens quickly." The nature of the funding model of polytechnics meant "reviews" of staff could happen annually. "It's good practice. I think that's part of something that staff need to understand. "But actually, we want to look at our vision, our values, our future and get to that point. We haven't had the chance to really do that. So there's a lot of good work to come." Ms Simmonds said supporting Otago Polytechnic to achieve a surplus was critical. "With the support of a soon to be appointed Establishment Advisory Group (EAG), I am sure Otago Polytechnic will continue to progress along their financial viability pathway. At that stage, they would not require the support of the Federation if they did not wish to use it." She had met Dr Potiki on several occasions and "was committed to continuing open and constructive engagement". "The federation approach avoids the drawbacks of the centralised, one-size-fits-all model of Te Pūkenga and instead supports regional polytechnics to thrive, while offering the option to access system-wide efficiencies through the Federation."
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Polytech head fears reputation at risk
Otago Polytechnic's boss fears being "dragged down to the lowest common denominator" by the Open Polytechnic, as she stakes her institution's claim for independence. In an interview with the Otago Daily Times , the polytechnic's executive director, Megan Potiki, was withering in her criticism of the government. Topics she covered included Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds' failure to respond requests for meetings and her belief Otago Polytechnic had been singled out for the worst treatment of any institution in the government's shake-up of the sector. Her interview comes as the polytechnic undergoes two separate but simultaneous restructures — one affecting management; the other general staff — and grapples with the fact it has been placed into a federation with the Open Polytechnic and Universal College of Learning rather than being independent. "It feels like we have had completely different treatment to everyone else, it's been utterly unfair. "What was [Ms Simmonds'] understanding to get to this point where she decided that others were going to stand up that were clearly similar to us or worse, in some cases? "We have had no conversation with her about us going into a federation, it was a complete surprise." Dr Potiki likened the situation to "building a ship while we're actually sailing" because the minister had not met her to explain how the federation model would actually work. Otago Polytechnic had one of the highest degree completion rates in the country, and placing it in a federation with Open Polytechnic could drag down its reputation, she said. "Not to be disrespectful to the Open Polytech, but they've got very low completion of degrees. "There's a risk of being dragged down to the lowest common denominator. If our stake in the ground is that we have exceptional learning and great learning outcomes for our akonga and our community, why would we want to put that at risk?" Dr Potiki said Otago Polytechnic's management and staff "bled blue and gold" — and she had been impressed by the community response to its troubles. "We've re-engaged stakeholders and we had a really successful stakeholder meeting the other night with about nearly 80 people and we've got community people who have reached out who care and we're wanting to engage them as well." Dr Potiki said among the institutions to have received better treatment was Invercargill-based Southern Institute of Technology, which was allowed to stand alone. "SIT leadership reached out because, actually, I have a really good relationship with them through Te Pūkenga ... so those are relationships I don't want to burn. "We want to have continued strong relationships in the South Island with all polytechnics. But the minister has muddied the waters." Dr Potiki acknowledged staff would be getting mixed messages in recent times about their future. "We're receiving mixed messages from government. "We just want more clarity and a path for us. "What we're asking staff to consider now is, unfortunately, they've been through this before, and nothing happens quickly." The nature of the funding model of polytechnics meant "reviews" of staff could happen annually. "It's good practice. I think that's part of something that staff need to understand. "But actually, we want to look at our vision, our values, our future and get to that point. We haven't had the chance to really do that. So there's a lot of good work to come." Ms Simmonds said supporting Otago Polytechnic to achieve a surplus was critical. "With the support of a soon to be appointed Establishment Advisory Group (EAG), I am sure Otago Polytechnic will continue to progress along their financial viability pathway. At that stage, they would not require the support of the Federation if they did not wish to use it." She had met Dr Potiki on several occasions and "was committed to continuing open and constructive engagement". "The federation approach avoids the drawbacks of the centralised, one-size-fits-all model of Te Pūkenga and instead supports regional polytechnics to thrive, while offering the option to access system-wide efficiencies through the Federation."
