28 June 2006
Universities, Unions Welcome Extra Funding
Vice-Chancellors and unions representing university staff have welcomed the announcement today by the Minister for
Tertiary Education, Dr Michael Cullen, that university funding will be boosted by $26 million per annum.
The additional funding has been designated towards enhancing the long-term quality and capability of the New Zealand
university system, and comes as a result of tripartite discussions between the Government, Vice-Chancellors and the
unions, constituting the first step in resolving funding and salary problems in the sector.
It has been agreed between the Vice-Chancellors and unions that the additional funding will be used to enhance salaries,
which are seen as a priority area in terms of ensuring the long-term sustainability and international competitiveness of
the sector.
Professor Roy Sharp, Chair of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, said that the additional funding was the
first step in a process to address the funding and salary issues which had been identified. “It is gratifying that the
tripartite process has achieved a concrete result for universities.”
Speaking on behalf of the combined university unions, Association of University Staff General Secretary, Helen Kelly,
said that meetings would be now be convened with union members at the universities to determine the bargaining process
for this year. “The tripartite process has proved to be a successful way of identifying and addressing issues within the
university sector,” she said. “It is our expectation that the second stage of the tripartite process, already in train,
will build on the collaboration between the parties.”
ENDS