Editorial: Merger of techs strange decision

Dr Johan Morreau

Today we revealed the almost $8.3 million budget to possibly merge the Bay of Plenty's two polytechs. A rather large sum of money for the two already economically viable institutions I would say.

Some of the money would have to be borrowed as well, putting the new organisation into the red from day one.

Officials have said those costs could go up or down depending on the final shape of the combined organisation, which in my view seems to be a fait accompli.

However, the submission period ends on Tuesday next week, so there is still time for people to have their say.

Whether those submissions are acted on is another kettle of fish.

I've had plenty of experience covering proposals such as this in my time attending council meetings and they do not often get changed.

A minor tweak here and there, but that's about it.

But, I'm prepared to stand corrected.

Also revealed is the confirmation there will be some redundancies.

Obviously there will be one chief executive, which makes sense, but how many staff will want to take on new jobs, or even move to a new location, to continue their careers?

We've heard all about the economic impacts, but what about the students?

We are being told the whole thing is being done to bring in more international and domestic students and that's great.

I just hope it is not to the detriment to the quality of education already being taught.

Better men than me, such as former Rotorua mayor Grahame Hall and Dr Johan Morreau, have expressed their concerns about the merger, and like them I think it's strange to try and fix something that's not actually broken.