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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- 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
23-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Legal action against polytech over job cuts on cards
Two leaked letters show the Tertiary Education Union is gearing up for legal action against Otago Polytechnic over accusations it bungled the slashing of jobs from a groundbreaking department. It comes after the polytechnic confirmed this month it was slashing staff its Capable New Zealand multi-disciplinary programme from 30 fulltime equivalents to nine fulltime equivalents and one managerial position. Capable New Zealand was once the polytechnic's biggest school with over 500 students, but had since dwindled in recent years to about 270 students presently enrolled. The Otago Daily Times has obtained two letters from the union addressed to Otago Polytechnic executive director Dr Megan Pōtiki. The first letter called for a pause of the restructuring process. ''The premise of the consultation — the regional viability report and the student numbers — require further scrutiny. ''It appears that the basis for which a surplus staff has been determined is unreliable, consequently the number of surplus staff in the decision document are also unreliable. ''The decision cannot proceed on this basis. As such, we request a pause on the current process as a matter of good faith.'' While requesting a pause, the first letter also said the union ''reserve our legal rights, should Te Pukenga Otago Division continue on its current course''. ''We would also expect that the workloads for staff who would remain once a determination is made are equitable, reasonable and safe as per the collective agreement.'' The second letter, sent last week, argued Otago Polytechnic had breached good faith in the process by failing to honour the pause, while the staff ratio rationale they used for the restructure was ''unsatisfactory''. ''They appear flawed, the ratios have been changing, and the proposed staffing numbers may not be consistent with workload policies and procedures for staff at Capable NZ. ''The employer needs to establish that there is a requirement yet, following consultation Otago cannot establish a requirement to reduce staff, or if so by how many. Proceeding on this basis is a breach of the collective agreement.'' The second letter said before proceeding any further, Otago Polytechnic ''must provide correct information, give staff the opportunity to comment on it, and establish what requirement to reduce staff may exist''. Dr Pōtiki said yesterday Otago Polytechnic had not received notification of any legal action. ''We are continuing to work with the relevant union [TEU] regarding the next steps of implementation of the outcomes advised. ''The feedback received through the consultation period was carefully considered by the review team, and resulted in several changes being made to the final outcome to reflect staff concerns about the future structure of Capable NZ. ''Otago Polytechnic is continuing to work with staff and students to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to studies.''
