IRA H HECHT
Whangarei
(025) 280-4661
27 February 2001
STATEMENT
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few words regarding events.
Firstly, I deeply regret any disruption that has been caused to our students, my colleagues, Northland Polytechnic in
general and also the wider community that we live in, as I have never harboured any intention to disrupt the smooth
delivery of high quality tertiary education to those that we serve.
I acknowledge that a conviction was recorded against my name in the United States as a result of a single transaction
that took place almost fifteen years ago.
I left both the State of Nevada and the practice of law permanently in February of 1988 and have never sought to
practice law in Nevada for the last thirteen years. Subsequent disbarment proceedings may have taken place and it is
conceivable that I was disbarred but, in any event, my right to practice would have been suspended for non-payment of
fees. Either way, I note that I have recently received documentation that implies that I have had the right to apply to
recommence practice there for many years.
I have now been made aware that the manner in which I completed a Northland Polytechnic application form was not the way
in which the Polytechnic intended it to be approached.
I maintain a continuing commitment to Northland Polytechnic, our students, my colleagues and to operating within the
policies and procedures of the organisation as well as to my own personal growth. I would not have shifted to Whangarei
if I did not have those commitments. I hope that both the Polytechnic and myself will continue to gain from my teaching,
my work in programme development, my research output and my participation on its various committees.
Thank you.
Ira Hecht