NorthTec’s Performance Is Consistent But Can Do Better

NorthTec’s Performance Is Consistent But Can Do Better, Says CE Binney

NorthTec has performed with consistency over the last 12 months but can do better, Chief Executive Paul Binney told stakeholders at its recent Annual Review Meeting (Thursday 25 July).

There was some good news in that NorthTec’s operating surplus of $1.29m had improved by $210,000 from the 2011 result and the Return on Revenue of 3.5% was also greater than in 2011.

“This is a pleasing result. Revenue was down 1% on budget due mainly to students preferring courses with lower or no fees,” Mr Binney said.

“Savings in costs of $593,000 have been achieved to record a surplus in excess of budget.”

Mr Binney said if NorthTec wanted to help Northland to do better then it had to better itself.

“Even if 2012 was a good year we have to get substantially better to enable us to be the change agent that our region needs,” he said.

“We have to do thing differently, this means we’ll be stretched, we’ll have to move away from set structures which will be uncomfortable but rewarding if we are to meet these high expectations.

“To do this we have to review what courses we are offering and decide what is relevant to the region’s needs, focus on our core business of teaching and learning, respond to the needs of Māori and look at ways of increasing our financial surplus.”

He said NorthTec’s commitment to a new campus on Queen Street in Auckland was a significant step towards contributing to increased future financial surpluses.

“We want to actively participate in the international student market as a means of increasing revenue which is in line with the government’s policy to double revenue through international education,” Mr Binney said.

NorthTec is primarily focusing on China, India and Indonesia for student recruitment and Mr Binney said Auckland provided an opportunity to become a strong education provider in that market.

Other strategic presentations were made by the Director for Trades and Commerce Dr. Mark Ewen; Phil Alexander-Crawford on the Māori Responsiveness Plan/Te Puna Mātauranga Review; and, Khalid Bakhshov, Director of Creative Industries and Humanities.

Dr. Ewen pointed out that in 2013 the number of Trades delivery sites had increased from 11 to 14; the number of learners had risen from 965 in 2012 to 1114 this year; and the number of course offerings had risen from 28 to 36. He said NorthTec’s key focus in that area was on Construction and Associated Trades; Engineering; Health and Safety; and Leadership.

Mr Alexander-Crawford stressed the need for greater connectivity with Māori (who make 50% of NorthTec’s student demographic) through better relationships with Iwi and Hapu.

“NorthTec’s focus is on developing Māori Trades; Māori Business; Māori Leadership; and Māori Research,” he said.

Mr Bakhshov said youth initiatives at NorthTec were based on creating pathways across partnerships with a Youth Guarantee Leadership Group and a Youth Initiative Group.

The ARM was attended by approximately 50 business and stakeholder representatives.

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.  NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

ENDS

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