The Otago Polytechnic is putting more than 30 programmes under review and dozens of staff are affected by the proposals, the Otago Daily Times understands.
Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga executive director Megan Pōtiki said as part of its annual programme of work, it was looking at how it was resourcing demand for learning in the community and managing staff workload, while remaining a financially sustainable organisation.
"As this is an active period of consultation, the privacy of our staff is essential as we work through the appropriate processes. Programme staff, academic leaders, people and culture and the Tertiary Education Union will all be involved in discussions.
Dr Pōtiki could not confirm how many staff were affected.
However, Tertiary Education Union assistant national secretary Daniel Benson-Guiu said there were "multiple" proposals and the union’s estimate was that at least 31 programmes were under review, and dozens of staff were affected.
"These cuts are about individual institutions within Te Pūkenga, an entity that still exists until the end of next year, scrambling to show ‘financial sustainability’ by cutting staff to avoid being dragooned into a ‘federation’ model."
"People will draw conclusions about what it says about the minister’s federation model that institutions are scrambling to avoid being part of it," he said.
The proposed restructure is occurring as Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds plans sweeping reforms for the polytechnic sector.
She is leading the break-up of mega-polytechnic Te Pūkenga and moving towards a model where the financially strongest polytechnics can eventually stand on their own and the rest become part of a federation model overseen by the Open Polytechnic.
Staffing reviews were also under way at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki and Waikato Institute of Technology.
"We are now seeing a number of Te Pūkenga divisions, including Otago, propose drastic changes to courses in light of the minister’s proposals.
"To be clear: the minister hasn’t decided anything yet.
Mr Benson-Guiu was also concerned Otago Polytechnic was planning asset sales by selling off its old campus and its student hostel.
"With no hostel, there will be fewer students coming to Central Otago to study some of the unique courses that are on offer.
"You cannot cut your way to sustainability."
Dr Pōtiki has previously confirmed closing and selling the "under-utilised" Town Campus and on-site accommodation was one of several options being discussed to improve the financial performance of the polytechnic.
Ms Simmonds has been approached for comment.
