In a surprising turn of events, Te Pūkenga, a prominent tertiary institute, has announced the departure of its Chief Executive, Peter Winder. Winder, who has been at the helm for 18 months, is set to leave the organisation in January 2024.

Reason for Departure

The news of Winder’s departure comes on the heels of a significant restructuring announcement made by the organisation. This restructuring, which was announced months ago, would result in the disestablishment of 200 full-time jobs. The changes are part of a larger shift in the organisation’s direction, as signalled by the new Government.

Deputy Chair’s Statement

In a statement, Deputy Chair Sue McCormack shed light on the reasons behind Winder’s departure. She explained that the function and duties of Winder’s role were set to change significantly due to the new direction of the organisation. “The function and duties of the role that Peter was employed to perform will change significantly given the new direction of the organisation announced by the new government,” McCormack said.

Winder’s Contributions

 Despite the changes, McCormack expressed gratitude for Winder’s contributions. “The Council would like to thank Peter for his hard work and dedication, and his significant contribution to the vision of Te Pūkenga over the last 18 months, and before that, for his work on the Establishment Board and Te Pūkenga Council,” she said.

New Government Intention

The new coalition government, which is set to disestablish Te Pūkenga, is the driving force behind these changes. The previous government had established Te Pūkenga to combine 16 polytechnics and nine training providers.

However, the new government has signalled its intention to reverse this decision, as outlined in a recent announcement on Te Pūkenga restructuring. This decision has far-reaching implications, including the disestablishment of 200 full-time jobs, making it a pivotal moment in the institution’s history.

Reflecting on Winder’s Tenure

 As Winder prepares to leave, the tertiary education community will be watching closely to see how these changes will affect the future of Te Pūkenga. The Council’s best wishes for Winder’s future endeavours reflect the respect and admiration he has earned during his tenure at Te Pūkenga.

 This information was sourced and rewritten from an article on Stuff.co.nz.