Minister hears Dunedin leaders' concerns about polytech plan

Dunedin leaders have voiced concerns the community, as well as Otago Polytechnic, may suffer if a Government proposal to centralise New Zealand polytechnics goes ahead.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Tertiary Education Commission head Tim Fowler spoke at a public meeting on the proposed reforms, attended by about 400 people in the Otago Polytechnic Hub yesterday, including council members and MPs.

About 300 polytechnic staff attended an earlier meeting.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull spoke about the failure of centralisation in the past and the importance of Otago Polytechnic's community involvement, as well as the polytechnic's links to China, which benefited the wider community.

The Government proposal has led to concerns the Otago Polytechnic and the Southern Institute of Technology, top performers in the field, will lose their autonomy and ability to innovate.

The importance of preserving Otago's reputation for excellence - which led it to be awarded the Baldrige-affiliated Performance Excellence Study Award last year - was mentioned by members of the audience.

Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming raised the Dunedin Hospital rebuild, which may include a collaborative learning facility with the health board, Otago Polytechnic and the university.

The DHB needed to ''maintain a robust pipeline'' for its future workforce.

Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker has written an alternative plan, which the polytechnic has dubbed ''Refine the Reform''. It would allow institutions to largely retain control over their own budgets.

Mr Hipkins told the crowd seeking feedback was ''a genuine consultation exercise'' and what would become national and what would remain local needed to be decided.

The Government's proposal involves the establishment of a New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, with one governing council, which would manage all 16 institutes' capital and operational budgets, staffing, and computer systems for managing their courses.

Consultation is open until March 27.

Mr Ker said he was pleased with the support for the polytechnic from the audience.

Mr Ker did not present his plan to the meeting, but people were given the opportunity to read key aspects and make their own suggestions.

• The plan can be read on the Otago Polytechnic website.