Aoraki extends review consultation period

Aoraki Polytechnic has extended a consultation period with students and staff as part of considerations about whether to slash its course programmes and potentially cut up to 20 jobs.

Aoraki launched a review of its education priorities a month ago, a move which proposes to cut 15 qualifications from its course programme, affecting the jobs of about 20 staff at campuses in Timaru, Oamaru, Ashburton, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Tertiary Education Union southern region organiser Kris Smith said the proposal had prompted a vote of no-confidence from members in the leadership capabilities of Aoraki chief executive Kay Nelson.

Ms Nelson declined to comment on the vote when contacted yesterday.

She said the polytechnic had extended its initial four-week consultation period to six weeks in response to a request from the TEU.

"We agreed to that immediately when they asked ... we were told it was too short a timeframe for feedback," she said.

The consultation period was now timed to finish at the end of the month, she said.

"The entire senior management team will consider the feedback. We are still endeavouring to have a final decision go out by November 11."

Aoraki Polytechnic council chairman Kevin Cosgrove said "everything was in hand" regarding considerations of the TEU's vote of no confidence.

He was unable to discuss the matter when contacted yesterday, because he was involved with a business conference.

Ms Smith said union members were concerned about how the polytechnic council had responded to their vote of no confidence.

"We've been told there is an internal process to follow and that the council retains full confidence in the chief executive," she said.

She declined to specify whether TEU members wanted Ms Nelson to step down.

"What we want is a more consultative, collaborative, and inclusive environment, which recognises the full and valuable contribution of [polytechnic] staff," Ms Smith said.