Waiariki BOP Polytechnic interim chief executive Dr Neil Barns says the new council is now setting out its strategic focus for the merged institution, which would be on partnerships, regional needs, innovation and sustainability.
"The immediate focus for 2016 going into 2017 is about completing the process of making these two organisations into one," said Dr Barns, who spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times about his briefing on the merger's progress at this week's Tauranga Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting.
"It is about capturing the power of both. At the moment they operate like two organisations, which are held together by the fact they've been merged with a single council and CEO. But next year what we will see quite early is the bringing together of all the systems. It won't be until that happens you will really see the benefits begin to flow from this big organisation."
The polytech last week announced that Dr Leon de Wet Fourie - currently deputy chief executive at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland - had been appointed as the new chief executive. Dr Barns said that Dr de Wet Fourie would be starting on December 12, and that he would serve until then and would also have an opportunity to ensure a smooth handover.
Dr Barns noted the importance of having a strong council for the merged organisation. Members included chairwoman Catherine Cooney, former chief executive of Lakes District Health Board, deputy chairman Tauranga-based HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman, Page Macrae's Ian Macrae, and AgResearch chief executive Tom Richardson, as well as other experienced Maori, community and business representatives. "It's a very grounded, strong board for an organisation like this," he said.