Unitec mulls Government compo suit

Unitec has yet to decide whether it will pursue a multimillion-dollar damages claim against the Government after winning a High Court case over a battle for university status.

The West Auckland institution claims Government breaches have cost it at least $3.5 million.

"We did not want to sue the Government, and only did so as a last resort," said Unitec chief executive Dr John Webster.

"However, we certainly have a right to be properly and fairly assessed for university status and, for us, that is the key issue."

Last week, Justice Forrest Miller at the High Court in Wellington ruled the Government acted unlawfully in its handling of Unitec's 1999 university application.

A separate hearing will consider damages, but it is an unusual situation with a public institution seeking payment from the Government.

Dr Webster said a decision on whether to pursue the money will be made at a council meeting in August.

"The legislative changes made in 2003 to block our application are not relevant, as the court has ruled we should have been assessed five years ago," Dr Webster said.

The last institution assessed was Auckland Institute of Technology in 1998.