Otago Polytechnic, like other New Zealand’s other 19 ITPs, is preparing to cut its non-ministerially appointed councillors down to just four. The” Otago Daily Times reported this week that CEO Phil Ker was recommending a “hybrid” system, with one or two continuing to be nominated by local Māori, and two or three people appointed using a skills-based system.

He recommended that students and staff be” represented via subcommittees, rather than being included as formal council members.

Mr Ker also proposed that, as CEO, he did not need a formal seat on the council, thus creating space for another appointee.

Meanwhile Otago Polytechnic Students Association president Meegan Cloughley told theOtago Daily Times that she is” no longer fighting for student representation on the council.

Trying to guarantee a seat for a student representative was “a waste of time”, she said. Even if students were allocated a seat, that seat would be guaranteed for only one year.

Instead, the” Otago Daily Times reported, Ms Cloughley and her organisation would be supporting chief executive Phil Ker’s suggestion of representation via a student subcommittee.