Sir Wira to head tertiary education authority

Sir Wira Gardiner. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Sir Wira Gardiner is to head the $3 billion Tertiary Education Commission, an appointment the Government is expected to announce this week.

The Herald understands the Cabinet confirmed the appointment of Sir Wira, husband of National MP Hekia Parata, last week.

He would not comment yesterday. But he he has been called on as a fix-it man for both major parties in the past and his appointment could signal closer examination of the sector for cost savings and quality control.

A spokesman for Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said he would not comment until an announcement was made.

The TEC manages Government funding for institutions and provides policy advice and implementation across the sector. Sir Wira replaces acting chairwoman Kaye Turner, who has been on the board since 2003.

In August last year, the former Army lieutenant colonel, the founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, took an unsuccessful tilt at joining the National Party board.

After that, Prime Minister John Key indicated the party would be putting him to use elsewhere, and he has not been short of work, across a wide range of issues, since.

He is a successful businessman who loves chaos - which is why both Labour and National have used him as a troubleshooter to clean up Government agencies.

A military historian, the Te Papa board member has most recently been working with a Hamilton high school as its commissioner, is a Crown facilitator for Treaty issues and helped broker the $500 million Treelords deal.