Outgoing Polytech Council reflects on achievements

Outgoing Polytech Council reflects on its achievements

29 April 2010

On Tuesday night the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Council met for the last time before the newly appointed council comes into office. Under new Government regulations, all Polytechnic Councils are now made up of eight members; four appointed by the Ministry of Education and the other four coming from community representatives. The four government appointed councillors are Ian Turner (Chair), Dr. Neil Barns (Deputy Chair), Paul Bowker and Rahera Ohia.

The four community representatives were confirmed at Tuesday night’s council meeting by outgoing chairperson Andrea Marsh. These are Aroha Luttenberger, Fleur Sweeney (a present councillor), Paula Thompson and Paul Logan. Andrea said that Council was delighted to make these appointments, confident of each person’s passion for tertiary education and that they will reflect Council’s commitment to the vision and strategic goals of the institution, of ‘Success through Learning’ and be effective members of the governance body of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Aroha and Fleur are long serving current Council members who have contributed effectively in aiding the institution to get to where it is today. Council is also confident that Paula and Paul will make a valuable contribution, with both showing a real appreciation and understanding of the value to our community and region of a flourishing tertiary education opportunity for all who wish to participate. Council is very pleased that a current member of the Polytechnic Council, Paul Bowker, has been appointed as a Ministerial member of the new Council, and congratulates him.

Both Chairperson Andrea Marsh and Chief Executive Dr. Alan Hampton chose not to accept a Community Appointment to Council.

At the council meeting Andrea Marsh reflected on her 17 years as chairperson. “When I unexpectedly became Chair of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in 1993, I remember thinking, ‘this could change my life’ and what a prophetic thought that was.”

She went on to congratulate the efforts of fellow council members: “I believe that this Council has been outstanding in the unified way we have worked together, sharing the vision of being New Zealand’s leading regional tertiary institution. We have succeeded in creating beneficial partnerships with industry, community and other tertiary institutions, with the commitment of always making management and governance decisions based on what is best for our students and our community. What is of concern is that regional polytechnics such as ours are in danger of losing our community ownership and direction, with both Chair and Deputy being appointed by the Minister. What is also of concern is that the four Community Appointments to Council are for just a period of one year, to be reconsidered at that time by the remaining Ministerial members of Council.”

In answer to a question on the radical changes to the governance of the institution, Andrea said “I do regret that that the challenge of ensuring some of the community, including business leaders and politicians, gaining a complete understanding and real appreciation of the achievements of this wonderful institution, have not been fully realised. This includes the opportunities, the strategic partnerships and pathways available, and the contribution the institution makes to the social, cultural and economic fabric of our region, and it would be very pleasing for the institution to receive that recognition ‘at home’ in the future. Perhaps we have been too modest!”

“What is certain is that Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will continue to develop as a leading regional tertiary institution because we have people with hearts and minds attuned to delivering what is best for our students, first, last and always; and an outstanding Chief Executive, in Dr. Hampton.”

“It has been a real and enduring privilege to be part of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic for a significant period of time, an experience which has taught me so much, and one which has greatly enriched my life. Aroha nui.”

ENDS