Te Pu¯kenga mum on executive contracts cut

Three deputy chief executives – who each earned between $250,000 and $392,000 a year – have left Te Pu¯ kenga nine months before the end of their contracts.

Ana Morrison, Vaughan Payne and Warwick Quinn were appointed on three-year contracts in September 2020 but left the tertiary provider yesterday.

Te Pu¯ kenga will not say why the three are leaving before the end of their contracts, or whether they received a pay-off.

‘‘The details of any redundancy packages and remuneration is between the individuals and Te Pu¯ kenga,’’ acting chief executive Peter Winder said.

He would not explain why the three contracts were being cut short, but said Te Pu¯ kenga’s ‘‘executive was always established as a transitional leadership team until a permanent structure was confirmed’’.

When Stuff stated there was public interest in requesting details of the contracts and any possible pay-off, a Te Pu¯ kenga spokesperson said: ‘‘We are balancing the public interest with the individuals’ right to privacy.

‘‘We provide regular reporting on remuneration and cessation payments through our annual report, where it is not tied to individuals.’’

Another Te Pu¯ kenga deputy chief executive, Tania Winslade, left the organisation on November 11. Te Pu¯ kenga would not say if she resigned or received a settlement.

It has been a tumultuous year for Te Pu¯ kenga, which was established in April 2020 to run the country’s 16 polytechs and nine industry training organisations.In August 2022, chief executive Stephen Town resigned after being on special leave – while drawing a salary of up to $13,000 a week – and in September chief financial officer Matthew Walker quit just months into the job.

‘‘Recruitment for the chief executive role is continuing,’’ Te Pu¯ kenga council chairperson Murray Strong said. ‘‘We are working to confirm the appointment before the end of the year and have the individual in place early in the new year.’’

On Thursday, Te Pu¯ kenga announced the appointment of six new senior roles, including three permanent deputy chief executives.

The organisation had previously released the salary bands for its top staff, but would not on this occasion.

Winder said they were senior leadership roles with ‘‘appropriate salary’’ for the skills, expertise and leadership expected at this level of a national organisation.

Among the new deputy chief executives is Megan Gibbons, who has been appointed deputy chief executive academic centre and learning systems.

Gibbons was chief executive of Otago Polytechnic, and it was claimed staff there were given two days’ notice she was moving to Te Pu¯ kenga.

‘‘It was clear that any successful internal applicant would be available to start immediately,’’ a Te Pu¯ kenga spokesperson said.

Eight newly created regional director co-lead positions were advertised in November, with the successful candidates to be paid between $200,000 and $350,000 a year.

Once all the roles have been filled, Te Pu¯ kenga will be led by a 10-strong executive team, a chief adviser and the eight regional directors.