Three deputy chief executives — each earning between $250,000 and $392,000 a year — have left Te Pūkenga nine months before the end of their contracts.
Ana Morrison, Vaughan Payne and Warwick Quinn were appointed in September 2020 on a three-year contract but will leave the tertiary provider on Friday.
Te Pūkenga would not say why the three executives are leaving before the end of their contracts, or whether they have received a reward.
“The details of any severance arrangements and compensation are between the individuals and Te Pūkenga,” said acting CEO Peter Winder.
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He would not explain why the three contracts were stopped, but said Te Pūkenga’s “executive was always established as a temporary leadership team until a permanent structure was confirmed”.
When Stuff stated that there was a public interest in requesting details of the contracts and any disbursements, a Te Pūkenga spokesperson said: “We balance the public interest with individuals’ right to privacy.
“We regularly report on remuneration and strike compensation through our annual report, where it is not tied to individuals.”
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Ana Morrison, Warwick Quinn and Vaughan Payne joined Te Pūkenga in September 2020 as Deputy CEOs.
Another Te Pūkenga deputy director, Tania Winslade, left the organization on November 11. Te Pūkenga would not say whether she resigned or received a settlement.
It has been a tumultuous year for Te Pūkenga, which was founded in April 2020 to the country’s 16 polytechs and nine industry training organizations.
In August 2022, CEO Stephen Town resigned after be on special leave – while receiving a salary of up to $13,000 per week – and in September chief financial officer Matthew Walker quit just months into his job.
“The recruitment for the CEO position continues,” said Murray Strong, chairman of the board of Te Pūkenga.
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Peter Winder was named acting CEO of Te Pūkenga after Stephen Town went on leave in July.
“We are working to confirm the appointment before the end of the year and have the person in place early in the new year.”
On Thursday, Te Pūkenga announced the appointment of six new senior roles, including three permanent deputy chief executives.
The organization had previously released salary scales for its top staff, but did not do so on this occasion.
Winder said they were senior leadership positions with “appropriate pay” for the skills, expertise and leadership expected of a national organization at this level.
Kelly Hodel/Stuff
Te Pūkenga’s chairman of the board, Murray Strong, says they hope to have a new CEO in the position early next year.
Among the new deputy directors is Megan Gibbons, who has been named deputy general manager of the academic center and learning systems.
Gibbons was chief executive of Otago Polytechnic, and it was alleged that staff there had been given two days’ notice that she was moving to Te Pūkenga.
“On the timeline of Megan’s appointment, during the consultation and recruitment process for the new executive structure, it was clear that any successful internal applicant would be immediately available to start,” a Te Pūkenga spokesperson said.
“This was communicated to all kaimahi (employees) in our network.”
Eight nnewly created co-lead positions for regional directors were advertised in November, with the successful candidates paying between $200,000 and $350,000 per year.
Once all roles are fulfilled, Te Pūkenga will be led by a 10-person executive team, a chief advisor and the eight regional directors. It is also governed by a board of 12 members.
Te Pukenga’s new recruits:
- Keri-Anne Tane – Chief Human Officer.
- Teresa Pollard – chief digital officer.
- Michelle Teirney – Chief Financial Officer.
- Megan Gibbons – Deputy General Manager Academic Center and Learning Systems.
- Gus Gilmore – Deputy General Manager ako (learn) delivery.
- Richard Forgan – Deputy Director of Strategy and Transformation.