Tai Poutini Polytechnic is set to consult staff on potential changes to the organisational structure of the deeply troubled Greymouth polytechnic.
"No decisions will be made until all staff feedback is received and considered, so it would not be appropriate at this time to discuss the detail of the proposal," communications and marketing manager Mequa Hourston said yesterday.
"For the past 18 months we've been working hard to ensure the future of tertiary education on the West Coast, meeting the needs of our students, local employers and the regional economy," Ms Hourston said.
"It's no secret we're facing financial and strategic challenges, and that change is needed to ensure a better future.
"The Government has demonstrated confidence that (Tai Poutini Polytechnic) can become a more sustainable, effective and efficient institute by providing significant funding support for the coming year. With this funding comes the requirement that we make the changes necessary to ensure the institute is ready to face the future."
Earlier this year the Government announced it would pump in an extra $8.5 million to keep the polytechnic alive for another year.
An external evaluation review at the end of last year resulted in the New Zealand Qualifications Authority grading the polytechnic with the lowest rating ever for an institution of technology or polytechnic in the country.
In April last year the government provided a funding bailout of $3.6m to keep the doors open.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic had also been unable to pay a $24.878m debt (GST included) it owed the Crown for under-delivery between 2010 and 2016. That debt was written off by the Tertiary Education Commission.
- Chris Tobin
