15 February 2019
Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie is calling on Education Minister Chris Hipkins to come to Southland to hear the views of the
community about the proposed changes to the Southern Institute of Technology.
“The Government is proposing massive changes to the Polytechnic sector which could drastically affect our well
performing institution. Given the Government is only allowing six weeks of consultation, it owes Southlanders the chance
to have their say.
“A consultation review panel will tour New Zealand, with the dates and locations being announced next week. If Southland
is not on the list then it absolutely should be one of the locations visited.
“If the consultation review panel won’t come to Southland, then Education Minister Chris Hipkins should come to
Invercargill and talk to our community. I will personally host a public meeting for him to attend so he can hear our
views.
“Students are proud of their SIT experience. SIT feeds into our Southland Regional Development Strategy to attract
10,000 more people to Southland by 2025 and has helped diversify our community. It’s important that the Minister comes
here and see this success for himself.”
ends