NorthTec cuts: Union questions future as polytechnic lead eyes sustainable future

NorthTec will stand on its own once more from the begining of next year, signalling a new future for the region's polytechnic. Photo / Brodie Stone

A NorthTec leader says the polytechnic is moving onto a stronger footing – but union representatives warn ongoing proposed cuts raise doubts.

NorthTec operations lead Derek Slatter said fewer than 10 roles may be affected and were linked to a small number of programmes with consistently low enrolments or that needed to better match demand.

The proposal comes amid NorthTec’s plans to become a standalone institution from the start of next year – a move Slatter described as a strong vote of confidence – and after $34.7 million in funding was announced for NorthTec to move into the planned education hub (KEA) in the Whangārei CBD within the next few years, pending a business case.

Tertiary Education Union organiser Jill Jones has questioned whether NorthTec has a viable long-term future after major cuts during the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.

About 58 fulltime equivalent roles were disestablished last year in student support, administration and other areas, while 31 new jobs were created.

Jones said programmes with low enrolment should be maintained in the hope things would improve.

“If you lose staff, they’re gone forever.”

Concerns about NorthTec‘s future came to a head in 2024, when a Cabinet paper signalled the polytechnic’s options were either sale, merger or closure.

Slatter said the current proposal aimed to strengthen, not weaken, NorthTec’s role in the region.

He said sustaining programmes with low enrolments over long periods didn’t safeguard the institution’s future or serve staff, students and the community.

Decision-making under Te Pūkenga made it harder to respond to local needs, Slatter said.

Jones believed NorthTec had the opportunity to properly consult with the community but had not done so well.

Slatter said decisions were based on sustained regional relationships and a strong understanding of community and workforce needs.

“We’re not blind to the fact that the only way we moved from one world to the other was via a lot of sacrifices as well from a lot of people who’d worked here for a long time and aren’t here anymore.”

Green party MP Hūhana Lyndon acted as MC for a meet the candidates hui in Raumanga last year, where the future of NorthTec was a key subject matter. Photo / Brodie Stone

Slatter said enrolments currently sat at 1185 equivalent full-time students, which could be roughly doubled, considering many students were part-time.

Although there was still work to do, he said, such as sorting NorthTec’s property footprint.

He was firm about NorthTec maintaining accessible study options in the Mid North and Far North.

Slatter said NorthTec’s advantage wasn’t in online learning as that could be done by anyone, anywhere.

“Our competitive advantage is in having specialised equipment, specialised premises, classrooms, people who know what they’re doing and can teach.”

Jones said there was a “real fear” in the community that access to tertiary education would be reduced for students in smaller centres.

“If you’re stuck up at Kaitāia, what difference does it make to you if there’s a hub in Whangārei?”

Slatter said changes to delivery models were intended to improve sustainability and responsiveness, not reduce access.

“At the same time, NorthTec is focused on ensuring it can sustainably deliver education, support its people, and grow provision over time.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.