Minister supports UCOL-WDC approach

Published on 27 February 2014

27 February 2014

Today representatives of the Wanganui District Council and UCOL met with Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, and MP Chester Borrows, and shared ideas on the future of tertiary education in Whanganui.

Mayor Annette Main said it was a productive meeting and a very good opportunity to give the Minister and MP an update on progress that has been made following the good foundations laid by the Joint Taskforce last year.

“We briefed the Minister on the progress since the Joint Taskforce report and on the challenges ahead to ensure long term sustainable tertiary provision in Whanganui. We identified specific areas where we’d like the Minister’s support to help us create sustainable tertiary provision in Whanganui. This includes addressing some policy issues and ensuring government agency support. We believe our work will be of use to other centres in New Zealand who are in a similar situation.”

UCOL Chair Trevor Goodwin said he was pleased to say that Minister Joyce responded positively and agreed that the ideas outlined were in line with where the tertiary sector was headed, and acknowledged that many of the challenges in Whanganui are similar to other regional centres. Minister Joyce supported the approach of the Council and UCOL working together on joint solutions.

Mayor Main chairs a group of elected members and staff from the Council and UCOL who are working together well and sharing ideas with the aim of having long term sustainable tertiary provision in Whanganui.