Skegg's university payout $126,742

Former University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg was paid out more than $125,000 when he left the job last year, figures released by the State Services Commission have revealed.

The figure was included as part of the annual release of the pay packets of chief executives in the state and public service, which showed that the heads of tertiary institutions were among the top- earners.

The figures showed that when he left the position of vice-chancellor in August last year Sir David was paid entitlements of $126,742.

Otago University chancellor John Ward said the payment was made up of contractual entitlements and there was no "extra payment" on completion of his term.

"This was for accrued annual leave ... together with the at-risk portion of his remuneration," Mr Ward said.

The figures also showed that current vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne was paid between $410,000 and $419,999 from August 15 last year, when she took on the role, to June 30.

This equated to roughly $500,000 per annum, which confirmed the projected figure of between $490,000 and $500,000 provided to the Otago Daily Times under Official Information Act last year.

Aoraki Polytechnic chief executive Kay Nelson's remuneration band went from between $210,000 and $219,000 to between $220,000 and $229,999.

Tertiary Education Union (TEU) southern region organiser Kris Smith said she believed union members at Aoraki Polytechnic would be "very surprised" to see Ms Nelson had received a pay rise, given the institution had returned a deficit last year, with another deficit predicted this year.

Ms Nelson could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker's remuneration band went from between $290,000 and $299,999 to between $320,000 and $329,999.

Otago Polytechnic chairwoman Kathy Grant said the polytechnic council continued to be very impressed with Mr Ker's performance.

"The level of his remuneration reflects a number of factors, including the scale of the polytechnic's operations ... and the levels of educational achievement," she saidThe highest paid chief executive in the tertiary sector was University of Auckland vice-chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, on between $630,000 and $639,999.

- vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz