Leading from the front issuu

spired further learning and in some cases, new organisations.
For example, the Napier Pilot City Trust grew
from such an event. (See article on page 93.)
In the following years to 1985, additional community
learning centres were opened in Waipukurau, Hastings
and Dannevirke (REAP — Rural Education Activities
Programme). The college had also received requests for
off-site centres from Maraes in Tangoio, Petane and Te
Haroto.
There would rarely be a weekend when facilities
were empty. At the opening of the Hetley Building in
1979, John Harré commented on the “dramatic growth”
in community education. He said “The diversity of our
community is reflected in the diversity of those who use
the college. At one time earlier this year, Black Power
members were screen printing arm bands and posters
for their convention while members of the Taradale Pakeke
Lions printed their presentation banners and engineers
and accountants were receiving their training
nearby. The community college is itself a community — a
community as diverse as that which surrounds it.”
At the 1985 10th anniversary celebrations, Russell
Marshall, the Minister of Education, said “You have arrived
at a remarkable answer to local needs in community
education.”
John Harré resigned in September 1985. The winds
of change were getting pretty gusty. It was time for a
change too and John took a senior role at AIT (now
AUT), co-ordinating special programmes. His decade of
inspirational leadership of the college had enabled a demonstrable
transformational leap forward in continuing
and community education practice.
But the already chilly southerly winds of political
change were to gather speed and force. Over the next
five years the college was to experience another transformation.
This time a transformation driven by economic
policies that would change the character, vision and
purpose of the college, and, in the process, substantially
dismantle affordable and accessible community learning
programmes.
So, yet again and at a time when economic and social
issues were causing high levels of personal and community
anxiety, the majority of the community were denied
their right to learn and grow.
However, looking on the bright side, there are some
positives to be thankful for. One of them is Pat — a force
for change. I deeply appreciate his wisdom, his unwavering
support and his loyalty through both the good
and the difficult times. His tireless commitment to improving
the lives of so many in Hawke’s Bay is legendary.
TIMELINE —
HB COMMUNITY COLLEGE
1975 — 1985
• 1972 — 1975: very supportive Labour
Government and Department of Education
• 1975 — October: a National Muldoon
Government is elected
• 1976 — 1980: Rapid expansion of community
education programmes, on and off campus. GDP
falling, unemployment rising, HB hit particularly
hard with closing of Whakatu Freezing works
• 1980 — 1982: Government focuses on
employment creation and regional think-big
projects. It decrees that Community education
is “less productive than vocational education”
and imposes “user-pays” rules for all Community
Education learning activities. Community
Education fees are increased substantially.
Unemployment peaks at 14% and the majority
affected are Māori and Pacifica.
Demand for community education classes and
other community-based activities continues to
increase, with a strong emphasis on art/craft
job creation, personal development, human
relationships, stress management, women’s
studies, counselling, volunteer community work
training, adult literacy and numeracy, parenting,
community solutions, work trusts, etc..
• 1983: Government changes funding formula
for polytechnics and community colleges. Big
impact on community education.
• 1985: Dr Harré resigns his position as director of
HBCC and takes up a role at ATI. Labour Party
wins election, David Lange becomes PM.
• 1987: College renamed Hawke’s Bay
Polytechnic. Tertiary education sector to target
vocational/professional training. Nationally
there is a rapid, continuous expansion of fulltime
courses and a rapid decline in community
education programmes.
Hawke’s Bay Community College – it worked! So what happened? 95