Mayor weighs in on merger

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick,middle, has previously submitted a view to the Waiariki and BoPP proposal and spoken to representatives of Waiariki. Photo / File

Ensuring students can access tertiary education in their home towns should be the major focus when considering the possible merger of tertiary institutes, says Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick.

"Many of our children have had to leave the region for their education, while some just can't afford that path. Would it not be better to offer those pathways through collaborative partnerships locally," she said.

Her comments follow the recent announcement that the councils of Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (BoPP) are recommending a merger.

Mrs Chadwick has previously submitted a view to the Waiariki and BoPP proposal and spoken to representatives of Waiariki to understand how the proposal might benefit the region's communities, particularly Rotorua.

She said she understood there was no desire to strengthen either the Tauranga or Rotorua campus over the other but that scenario still remained a concern for many in Rotorua.

"It's a real concern that there could be a reduction in levels of staff employed in Rotorua, and even more concerning, a shift in emphasis away from the needs of this district in favour of Tauranga."

Waiariki Council chairman Graeme Nahkies said he wanted to "set the record straight" about the proposed merger.

"This proposed new institution would build on the best of what Waiariki and BoPP currently offer to deliver what neither institution can do alone.

"Together both boards have sought out and listened to many opinions in recent months, as we considered the options for working in closer collaboration. This feedback has helped shape our thinking and we continue to be interested in the opinions now being expressed.

"It is, however, important to set the record straight about the idea that the proposed merger of Waiariki and BoPP is somehow aimed at shifting resources and educational programmes from Rotorua to Tauranga. That is not on the agenda."

Mr Nahkies said it was important to clarify that the proposed merger was not a "take-over".

"There is understandable pride in the Rotorua community about what Waiariki has become and has achieved ... We will not be taking anything away from either Rotorua or Tauranga, but building on the best of both institutions to improve results for the entire region."

John Paul College careers adviser Sheryl Hewitson said the merger would "make no difference" to retaining students who chose to leave the city to study as they moved away for a number of reasons.

"Students who leave Rotorua to go to university do so because the polytechnics in the area do not offer the courses they want to do."

Local schools' career advisers were consulted last week about the impact the proposed merger would have on the Youth Trades Academy programme run by Waiariki for secondary school students.

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