The New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Establishment Board (the Establishment Board) is today announcing directors for the boards of subsidiary Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs), effective from 1 April 2020.
The following people have agreed to serve as directors on the boards of Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and Unitec Institute of Technology (Unitec) from 1 April 2020:
Peter Winder – Chair
Monique Cairns
Ziena Jalil
Andrew Lesa
Peter Parussini
Robert Reid
Steven Renata (Ngāpuhi)
“Having a common Board appointed to both Unitec and MIT supports the shift from competition to operating as one regionally accessible network of provision. The appointment of this Board of Directors is a significant step forward in the journey towards a cohesive, sustainable vocational education system,” says the Establishment Board Chair Barry Jordan.
“In making these appointments we have balanced the need to ensure continuity of operation with sound local and regional relationships. We are delighted with the diversity of thought within each board, alongside the complementary skills and experience that will drive positive outcomes for their respective communities.”
The Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Act requires that the initial board for each subsidiary ITP comprise at least four and no more than eight directors, of which at least half must reside within the region that the subsidiary primarily serves.
MIT and Unitec Board Chair Peter Winder said, “Education and training is life changing for learners, their whānau and communities. I am excited by the reforms to vocational education and the opportunity to bring together the diverse parts of the education system to better meet the needs of learners, employers and communities.”
“Bringing these two proud institutions closer together will enable us to better serve the needs of the whole Auckland region. I am particularly looking forward to driving changes that will deliver better outcomes and equity of achievement for our Māori and Pasifika learners.”
Commissioner of Unitec, Murray Strong, will continue in an advisory capacity for a period of six months to ensure an effective handover.
The Establishment Board has also decided that one NZIST Council member will be a director on each subsidiary ITP board and to have a ‘cross-Board appointee’ to further drive the shift from competition to operating as one regionally accessible network of provision. The latter requirement is met by having an entire common Board for both MIT and Unitec.
The IST Establishment Board based its approach to the appointment of directors on the Treasury framework used to appoint directors to the boards of Crown companies. More than 370 expressions of interest were received over the Christmas and New Year period.
All appointments to subsidiary boards are subject to ratification and approval by the NZIST Council on 1 April 2020. Members of this Council will be confirmed by the Minister of Education before the end of March.
Peter Winder – Chair
Director of consulting firm McGredy Winder & Co, Peter has been the chair of the Manukau Institute of Technology since December 2013, is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Unitec Commissioner, and is a member of the NZIST Establishment Board.
He is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading authorities on local government and was one of the Commissioners appointed to govern the Kaipara District Council when it got into difficulty. Peter was the Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Council for six years prior to the amalgamation of the Auckland local authorities in 2010.
Monique Cairns
Monique is a widely accomplished independent director and executive who leads through change with creativity, positivity and passion. Her experience spans a wide range of organisations, industries and complexities.
Monique is currently Deputy Chair of NZ Home Loans and an Independent Director of Lotto NZ, SPCA Auckland and The Northern Club. Monique is also an Executive Director of Caribou Consulting, a boutique strategic business advisory. She holds a Bachelor of Business from Auckland University of Technology and is currently studying te reo Māori.
Ziena Jalil
Ziena is an award-winning business and public sector leader, consulting in strategy, international marketing and business development, communications and stakeholder engagement. Previous work experience includes Regional Director (South & SEA) for Education New Zealand, and New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore.
Ziena is a Board Member of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), and the Cancer Society Auckland Northland; a member of Global Women, the New Zealand Institute of Directors, and Asia 21. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ziena regularly speaks and consults in this area.
Fale (Andrew) Lesa
Fale is an international policy consultant and an experienced director. He was elected to the Manukau City Council in 2009 and spent the last ten years as vice chair at Manurewa High School where he piloted the trades academy scheme.
He is a proud member of the Auckland Conservation Board and the Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee. He is currently leading a nationwide review for the Ministry of Health and is a senior advisor to Oranga Tamariki. Fale was recently appointed to Philanthropy New Zealand after managing a child poverty initiative with the J R McKenzie Trust.
Peter Parussini
Peter is currently the General Manager Public, Consumer and Government Affairs for ANZ Bank New Zealand and the Pacific. He is the Chairperson for one of South Auckland’s biggest schools, Southern Cross Campus in Mangere, and is a Governor of Radio New Zealand. He has been on the Manukau Institute of Technology Council since 2017.
Peter was a founding trustee of South Auckland youth mentoring initiative The Rising Foundation and has been recognized for his contribution to education in low decile communities with an “Outstanding Service” Award by the AIM HI (Achievement in Multi-Cultural High Schools) group of schools.
Peter served a term as a Wellington City Councillor, was a Trustee of the Wellington International Festival of the Arts, has been an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University and a senior rugby referee. He is also a member and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Robert Reid
Robert is President and former General Secretary of the 30,000 strong FIRST Union which represents workers in the finance, retail, logistics, manufacturing, construction and health sectors. He was a Board member of Textiles NZ and Footwear Industry Training Organisation and is currently on the Board of the Forest Industry Safety Council.
Originally a tool-setter by trade, he has held a number of Government appointments in the vocational skills and employment area and was a member of the Government’s recent Welfare Expert Advisory Group. Robert holds a Graduate Diploma in Economic Development from the Auckland University of Technology.
Steven Renata
Steven Renata (Ngāpuhi – Ngāti Pakahi, Ngāti Rehia) is co-owner and Manutaki / CEO at KIWA Digital, a New Zealand technology business in the global language service sector.
Born in Kawakawa and raised in Milton, Otago, he is a former tourism tertiary lecturer, founding member of Les Mills International, and mārae trustee with a decade of board directorship experience. Steven holds a Master of Commerce from the University of Otago.