Search begins for mega polytech CEO

The search is under way to find a chief executive with ‘‘sophisticated and worldclass leadership skills’’ for New Zealand’s new mega polytech.

Sixteen polytechs merge to become the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology (NZIST) on April 1, next year. Its head will be responsible for almost 10,000 staff, 280,000 students and $2 billion in assets. The job specifications do not mention the expected salary, but as a comparison, it would be nearly seven times the size of Auckland University, where ViceChancellor Stuart McCutcheon reportedly earned between $710,000 and $719,999.

The appointment will be for a fixedterm of three years, with the possibility of extension for a further two years. Details of the vacancy are outlined in a 17-page candidate briefing and the ideal applicant will have ‘‘experience establishing new entities’’ and ‘‘significant experience leading and managing large-scale’’ organisations.

NZIST could offer qualifications from foundation certificates to PhDs and would be responsible for half of all tertiary enrolments in New Zealand.

It is not yet known where the headquarters will be, but when the reforms were announced in August it was said the head office would not be in Auckland or Wellington. An interim establishment unit is based in Christchurch.

The successful candidate will be announced in December and start on March 1, 2020.

The speed, cost and scale of the merger plan has attracted criticism from Christchurch’s

Ara Institute of Canterbury, the South Island’s largest tertiary provider.

According to an Ara report to be presented to a Parliamentary Select Committee next Wednesday, the timetable of the plan ‘‘risks undermining’’ the benefits. It notes the proposed Vocational Education and Training Reform Amendment Bill is not due to be reported back until February 10.

Last year Ara had 14,000 domestic students and 1700 international students across four sites in Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru.

The report said the changes risked ‘‘the best leaders and staff’’ leaving the sector.

The Bill did not address financial concerns, the report said. It noted Ara and other institutions had ‘‘material reserves’’ and it would be tempting to use such reserves to fund deficits from other dissolved institutions.