NorthTec Subsidiary Board of Directors appointed

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NorthTec Subsidiary Board of Directors appointed

March 17, 2020 | 7 min read

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 board of NorthTec from 1 April 2020:

Ripeka Evans (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu) – Chair

Murray Bain – Deputy Chair

Nicole Anderson (Ngāpuhi)

Erena Kara (Ngāpuhi)

Matt Keane

Bronwyn Yates (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue)

“The appointment of this Board of Directors is a significant step forward in the journey towards a cohesive, sustainable vocational education system,” says 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.

Northland Polytechnic Limited Board Chair Ripeka Evans says, “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in regional economic development, Māori and iwi partnership, and organisational change and transformation to the Board, as we embrace the opportunity in front of us with the reforms to vocational education.”

“My focus is on making a positive difference to Te Tai Tokerau region. If we do better under the new structure for iwi and Māori, it will ultimately do better for everyone across New Zealand. What’s good for Māori, will be good for Northland and all of New Zealand.”

To further drive the shift from competition to operating as one regionally accessible network of provision, the Establishment Board has decided that one NZIST Council member will be a director on each subsidiary ITP board. Each board may also receive a ‘cross-Board appointee’. These names will be confirmed in April.

The 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, Hon Chris Hipkins, before the end of March.

Ripeka Evans – Chair

Ripeka (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu) has been a director, Chair, Chief Executive and strategic adviser. Based in Wellington, she is a consultant specialising in Treaty partnerships and Māori economic development.

Ripeka began her career with the Māori Economic Development Commission and then Television New Zealand. She has held Chief Executive roles with Te Māngai Paho, Toi Eastern Bay of Plenty Economic Development Agency as well as director and trustee roles with Te Aupōuri Fisheries Limited and Te Rūnanganui o Te Aupōuri. She is a member of the Te Ao Māori Strategy Committee of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Murray Bain – Deputy Chair

Murray is a Northland-based company director involved across a range of sectors. He is Deputy Chair of TSB Bank and Chair of TAS, a DHB shared services company. He has previously filled a wide range of director roles including Chair of the Open Polytechnic.

He has previously been the CEO of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, CEO of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Assistant Governor in the RBNZ, Chief Operating Officer with ACC and Head of Banking for Trust Bank NZ.

Murray is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and holds a Masters in Commerce (Economics) from Canterbury University.

Nicole Anderson

DipAcc, DipBus, DipMgt, PGDPH, CMInstD

Nicole (Ngāpuhi) is a Director with a background in accountancy, health and business development. She has primarily worked with organisations advancing Māori, as well as public and private organisations focusing on policy, economic development and governance.

A chartered member of the Institute of Directors, Nicole is currently a Director of Northland Inc, Fluid Chemicals Ltd, PHARMAC and Manea Footprints of Kupe Ltd. She is a Trustee of Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngāpuhi and a member of the NZ Conservation Authority and Northland District Health Board.

Nicole is a past member of the AUT University Council and Chair of the Council’s Maori Education Working Group.

Erena Kara

Ko Huruiki te maunga Ko Waiariki te awa

Ko Ngataokimatawhaorua te waka Ko Whakapara te marae

Ko Ngāti Hau me Ngāti Hao ngā hapū Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi

Erena comes from a background of community and iwi development, and holds a Masters in Social Science. She has worked in various roles to support the health and wellbeing of community, including iwi, Māori provider and government agencies.

Erena has held various governance positions including Ngāpuhi Asset Holding Company and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services. She currently serves as the Chair of Te Kotahitanga E Mahi Kaha Trust, a Trustee for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Kaikohe, and Trustee for the Community Research Centre.

Matt Keene

Matt was born and grew up in Whangārei. After completing a Bachelor of Management Studies from the University of Waikato he worked in the UK and Europe in finance and the telecommunications industry. He has 25 years’ experience in the IT sector and is co-director of a Whangārei based software development company. Matt currently has governance roles on several not for profit boards in the arts, environment and education sectors.

Bronwyn Yates, QSM

Ko Te Arawa, Horouta, Takitimu, me Tainui ngā waka.

Bronwyn has long experience of governance and senior executive roles. She sits as governance on NorthTec Tai Tokerau Wānanga Council and the Māori Education Trust. Brownyn fulfils roles in both standing and ad hoc government advisory groups and whakaruruhau. She is Te Tumuaki (CEO) of Literacy Aotearoa Charitable Trust, and maintains professional development for management and governance roles.

Bronwyn has passion for excellence of education for all and sees opportunities to fulfil the promise made by NorthTec Tai Tokerau Wanangā, to enable better lives through education.