Craig Marshall - University of Otago.

I would like to play a part in making the TEU an even more effective, Tiriti-led organisation, with clear goals, a sound implementation plan, and the strong support of its members. I offer the experience of many years in the Union, an ability to listen, to assess, and to contribute to constructive decision-making and effective action.

I have been a member of the TEU since 1994 when I first got a proper job at the University of Otago (in the days of AUS). These were the days when significant student fees were introduced, we were exhorted to compete with each other, and we went on strike for the first time ever at the University of Otago.

To learn more about how the University (and universities) worked, I stood for University Council and spent more than ten years as an academic staff representative. These were times of painful change led by Stephen Joyce (who still casts a shadow) with consequences with which we still live.

I learnt much from that experience and since stepping down from University Council, became branch co-president again and applied that knowledge to help the TEU improve conditions for staff. This is reflected in improved conditions and pay in collective bargaining.

A member of TEU Council since 2024, I have been involved in several Council sub-committees, including developing the recent changes to TEU subscriptions, in disputes resolution, and changes in governance.

I have learnt that change for the better comes from developing working relationships with opponents. That can be difficult, but finding areas of common ground leads to opportunities in places of conflict. I would foster these conversations so the TEU can set the agenda rather than respond to unwelcome changes.

Our sector is very diverse. We have large sites and small. Universities and Polytechnics are well-defined, but sites such as Wānanga are typically small with high density. Universities face incremental cuts in funding, the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga has been chaotic and deeply damaging, and smaller sites tend to be overlooked. We are afflicted with an excess of managerialism and the failure of governing bodies to recognise that staff really are their institutions’ greatest asset.

Co-governance is with us now and we are learning how to make this work. We have made significant steps but there remains much to do. I think the TEU also needs to find ways to more effectively achieve the goals it has set for itself, and to build on its reputation as an effective trade union.

If I were President Tāngata Tiriti, I would work to improve representation within the TEU to serve our members better. I would like to see our governance system improved and linked more effectively to representation to ensure we choose achievable goals and that we have the resources for success. Finally, we need to cultivate politicians of all stripes so we can set the agenda for change in the tertiary sector. That will take work: together we can make these things come to pass.