Ako Aotearoa welcomes new board members

5 October 2012

Ako Aotearoa welcomes new board members

Four new members were welcomed recently to the Ako Aotearoa Board following a very competitive application round that attracted a total of 56 applicants from across the tertiary sector.

The successful applicants have been selected because of the expertise they bring and their different perspectives across the breadth of the sector.

Dr Graeme Benny, Chief Executive of Careers New Zealand brings an enormous amount of experience and a focus on outcomes for learners, with a background in a diverse range of senior management roles in both the private and public sectors.

Dr Jennie Harré-Hindmarsh, an independent consultant and part-time Ngāti Porou Hauora (health) research coordinator, will bring much experience in adult and community, workplace, and professional education, combined with her research and evaluation skills.

Dr Shane Edwards, (Ngāti Maniapoto), Executive Director Curriculum & Research, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, brings not only a wealth of experience from working across a range of tertiary organisations, but has recently completed a term as member of New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s Ngā Kaituhono (a group established in 2008 to support the usage of Mātauranga Māori in the educational sector and systems).

Greg Durkin, Chief Executive of FloorNZ and DecorateNZ, brings a wide range of professional and business experience, combined with qualifications in teaching/education and research interests in cognitive psychology and experiential/workplace learning.

The Chair of the Ako Aotearoa Board, Bryan Gould, thanked and acknowledged the four outgoing board members for their valuable contributions to the Board in representing their sectors. They are: Fiso John Fiso, Chief Executive, New Zealand Institute of Sport and President of the New Zealand Association of Private Educator Providers; Dr Joce Jesson, The University of Auckland; Professor Lorraine Stefani, Director – Centre for Academic Development, The University of Auckland, and Anania Randall, Tumuaki, Wainuiomata Christian Fellowship Training Centre and Co-President of Aotearoa Māori Providers of Training, Education & Employment.

Bryan Gould expressed satisfaction that Ako Aotearoa had been able to make such valuable new appointments to the Board. “This not only reflects our achievements to date and the regard in which we are held but also promises a continued and high-quality contribution from Ako Aotearoa to the task of achieving the best possible outcomes for tertiary learners.”

To read more about these new Board members, go to: www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz/board

ENDS

© Scoop Media