Today marks the institution’s first day as part of Te Pukenga, the national mega-polytechnic uniting 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics under one nationwide umbrella.
The long-anticipated merger has drawn backlash from staff due to the budget cuts it has brought, although former Otago Polytechnic chief executive Dr Megan Gibbons has emphasised the positives of the merger.
A $2.7 million cost cut was announced to staff at the institution earlier this month, a 3% cutback aimed at reducing Te Pukenga’s 2023 forecast deficit.
Tertiary Education Union (TEU) Otago-Southland organiser Daniel Benson-Guiu said the budget cuts were criticised by members at a stopwork meeting last week.
"[Members] don't yet see themselves in Te Pukenga and have not been able to create a relationship with the new institution that will become their employer," he said.
"There is concern that Te Pukenga is focusing on apprenticeships at the expense of the on-campus provision that Otago Polytechnic specialises in.
The TEU was collecting signatures for a national petition calling for stabilisation of Te Pukenga.
It also warned staff would not not be able to give their full focus to building a strong network while cuts to budgets and jobs loom, he said.
A function at the polytechnic yesterday marked its last day as a separate legal entity following its establishment in 1966.
Dr Gibbons, whose new title is now executive director, said she felt "excited" at the possibilities of what Te Pukenga could achieve.
The full transition would take about a year, and learner experience would not be changed as unified programmes were introduced.
Staff were appreciated and understood as they worked hard for a positive outcome, she said.
Te Pukenga council member Kathy Grant said staff would be "tinged with sadness" at the end of the polytechnic’s identity as a stand-alone entity, but it was time to embrace the opportunities it would have as part of Te Pukenga.
Staff had been sent letters offering them employment with Te Pukenga in the same capacity, location and terms and conditions as their current roles.
The Otago Polytechnic board also met for the final time yesterday.
Former chairman Adam La Hood said it was "a subdued, surreal feeling" to be handing over the keys to Te Pukenga after what was the shortest-ever board meeting.
He thanked Dr Gibbons, the executive leadership team and the board for their contributions in preparing the polytechnic for the transition.
