A strong, unified, active, campaigning union.

This is the last substantive edition of Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update of 2023. As is our tradition, the final edition of the year will be a recap of our most read stories of the past twelve months, which means it’s now time to recap, take stock and look ahead.

2023 has been a year dominated by cuts. Over the weekend, Radio New Zealand reported that 600 jobs are likely to have been lost in the university sector alone by the end of 2023. Another 200 jobs were lost in Te Pūkenga’s “Tāraia te anamata | Creating our futures” operating model changes.

But TEU members fought back hard. Hundreds of jobs were saved across our sector, starting with 80 at AUT in January right through to over 500 FTE across Victoria University and Te Pūkenga in late September, not to mention an unprecedented one-off funding boost that was won along the way.

Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Dr Sandra Grey says the theme of the year was continued growth of the TEU as a strong, unified, active campaigning union that makes a difference in tertiary education.

“The last 18 months have seen our union grow from strength to strength as we continue to increase our membership and our activism. We are also working together more collectively across our branches and this year’s rule changes have made us a more inclusive union. All of this will stand us in good stead as we look ahead to bigger challenges than ever before over the next few years.”

“In 2024 we will fight hard to keep our consolidated collective agreements in Te Pūkenga, work towards pay equity, and continue the momentum we have built in university collective agreement negotiations. We will also need to work incredibly hard to push back against the pressure that will undoubtedly come from the most neoliberal government since the 1990s.”

“Part of getting ready for a busy 2024 is to make sure we all take leave over summer and have a wonderful relaxing break.”