Money saving mergers ignore student needs

By Paul Clifton (NTEU National Office). Aoraki Polytechnic is a regional polytechnic based in the South Island town of Timaru. It has been struggling financially for a few years now and it is currently considering merging with its big cosmopolitan neighbour, Christchurch Polytechnic and Institute of Technology (CPIT).
At present in New Zealand there are talks or merger processes underway involving six of New Zealand’s 18 polytechnics; Weltec and Whitireia, Waiariki and Bay of Plenty, and Aoraki and CPIT. More...