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Tēnā koutou
Tēnei te mihi nui, me te mihi aroha nui ki a koutou katoa te whānau whaanui o Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka.
It’s with excitement and sadness that I’m letting you know that I’ve accepted a new role as Deputy Chief Executive, Transformation and Transition, with NZIST.
I know this news is coming at what is an unsettling time for us all, but please know that I see it as huge recognition for all that we have achieved together at Unitec over the past couple of years. It’s been a rocky journey through challenging times, but we should all feel incredibly proud of the huge milestones that we have achieved. Guided by our principles of Te Noho Kotahitanga, we have come on the most incredible journey together and I know that you’ll continue to thrive. He waka eke noa – we’re all in this together.
In addition, our Board Chair Peter Winder has announced the appointment of Gus Gilmore as Chief Executive of both Unitec and MIT, effective from Monday, 31 August. In this role he’ll have oversight of both institutions, building on the close and collaborative work that we have done together for the past 12 months. You can read more on this in the NZIST's announcement which you'll receive shortly.
Gus is extremely well respected in the sector; he has considerable expertise and a detailed and insightful understanding of Auckland in his current role of CE of MIT. We share the same strategic vision, as well as a commitment to partnership and a values-led style of leadership.
Having a single chief executive role for both institutions will offer clarity of decision making at a crucial time for the sector, as well as institution-wide focus needed to drive forward our ‘whole of Auckland’ approach.
What lies at the heart of what we’re all here to do – achieving better outcomes for our students and the communities we serve – won’t change. They remain our key focus, and I believe my new role at NZIST will only serve to enhance that goal.
Gus will be spending more time over the next few weeks getting to know our wider whānau better and we’ll be supporting him throughout this process. Obviously, face to face meetings will be challenging under the current lockdown conditions, but we’ll do our best remotely under our new way of working.
I’m also leaving you in the immensely capable hands of our Executive Leadership Team team who will continue to support you all on our journey towards fulfilling Manaakitia Te Rito which is directly aligned with the aspirations for NZIST. We all need to maintain a strong focus on EER and the great work that is already underway towards achieving a result of which we can all be proud. Remember that a good outcome is as much about our business-as-usual work as it is about the specific focus areas.
On a personal note, this decision was not an easy one. My time as interim chief executive at Unitec has been the highlight of my career. You – my Unitec whānau – are the best people anyone could wish to work with, and I know you’ll show Gus the same support, aroha and commitment that you have me. My new role at NZIST will take me back to my home base in Hamilton, but my connections to Auckland and Unitec will remain strong.
My last day at Unitec will be Friday 28 August as NZIST is keen to have the new roles in place as soon as possible. Given the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions, we’ll plan to do a farewell when the time is right. It’ll give me a good excuse to come back and visit!
E kore e mimiti taku aroha mo te whānau whaanui, ka ngana tonu ahau ki te manaaki i a koutou i roto i taku tūranga hou.
Ngā manaakitanga me te mihi maioha ki a tātou katoa.
Ngā mihi
Merran Davis
Interim Chief Executive
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