Craig West – Otago Polytechnic.

Craig West

I wish to be considered for the position as Academic Staff (Te Pūkenga) representative on the Industrial and Professional Committee.

I am currently employed at Otago Polytechnic I Te Pūkenga as a Principal Lecturer within the Business School. I started work within the tertiary system in 2001 after 20 years in the Primary sector as a teacher, Senior teacher and Principal.

I have a strong background in union involvement - NZEI from 1980 to 2000 with time spent as a Branch President. I joined ASTE in 2002, joined the branch committee as we transformed into the TEU and have been Branch President since 2011.

My contribution to the union movement locally and nationally includes (but not limited to):

  • Advocating for academic and general staff on a range of matters
  • Advocating and supporting colleagues personally with individual cases
  • Building, organising and maintaining a strong and well functioning branch and branch committee of TEU at Otago Polytechnic.
  • Organising, promoting and undertaking numerous union related events and functions
  • Providing regular, appropriate and timely communications to members
  • Being actively involved in CEA negotiations since 2011
  • As a member of the promotions committee, the student hardship and welfare committee and the mental health and wellbeing committee.
  • Being the main TEU representative for interviews, meaning I am involved in the majority of interview panels
  • Nationally being a key Branch President (BP) who contributes in all BP forums
  • Involved at a national level in a range of consultations, eg. for TEU position papers or advisory documents
  • A key speaker for TEU, both on media issues or in forums such as those with Te P0kenga over the last couple of years. For example, in February 2021, TEU held an operating model Forum with the CE, all the DCEs and people from Ernst Young who were working on the operating model and I was one of key speakers over that two day event.

    I'm active in bringing people together using strong communication skills. My leadership is built on relationships and collegial conversations - always seeking to empower people. I believe that I advocate strongly to meet the needs of individuals and groups. I have successfully created a positive working relationship between TEU and local management.

    I would welcome the opportunity to serve the members of the TEU at a national level.