annual report - Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara

NZVCC ANNUAL REPORT 2008CHANCELLORS3. CHANCELLORSDr Robin Mann (chair)CanterburyHugh FletcherAucklandSir Paul ReevesAUTRt Hon Jim BolgerWaikatoNigel GouldMasseyEmeritus Professor Tim BeagleholeVictoriaTom LambieLincolnLindsay BrownOtagoThe Chancellors’ Group met in Wellington three timesin 2008, in April, August and December, with all thosegatherings followed by combined meetings withVice-Chancellors.Agenda items for the April meeting included theuniversities’ election year strategy and progress on theEducation (Establishment of Universities of Technology)Amendment Bill. Hugh Fletcher and Nigel Gouldreported on their experience in joining Vice-Chancellorsto present university submissions opposing the Bill tothe Education and Science Select Committee.By the August meeting the universities’ electionstrategy had evolved into an on-going public relationscampaign and there was discussion on raising someof the campaign messages with both the Minister forTertiary Education and Deputy Leader of the NationalParty during meetings scheduled that day and thenext. Chancellors noted that Tertiary EducationCommission seminars to explain the proposed capitalasset management plan regime had delivered differentmessages at various venues.By the final meeting for the year the election outcomewas known and Chancellors pointed to the needfor universities to engage positively with the newgovernment. A decision was taken to join withVice-Chancellors to present the plan for governmentand university action to relevant ministers at theearliest opportunity.Page 13