Amy Ross to join TEU as Te Pou Ahurei.
Nov. 12, 2025
Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 29, No 21
“Ka hinga he tētēkura, Ka haramai he tētēkura”
When one great leader departs, it gives way for a new great leader to emerge
Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary. Amy Ross will join us in late January and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience – particularly with regards to pay equity, on which she is recognised as one of Aotearoa’s foremost experts.
Amy’s previous roles have included working as a frontline senior social worker, an NGO manager, a small business owner, a senior public servant, a union organiser, and until recently she led the Pay Equity Taskforce prior to its disbandment.
Amy says she’s “thrilled, energised, excited, and humbled by the opportunity to lead Te Hautū Kahurangi as its new Te Pou Ahurei. TEU is already a successful union, but we have a lot of hard mahi ahead of us to rise even further to meet the huge challenges we face.”
“With the continued rise of neoliberalism and the growth of the alt right, the tertiary sector is a core pillar in the resistance with its ability to connect people, and provide environments for them to learn, grow, explore, and innovate. Information and critical thought are the front line of defence and it’s our job to tell truth to power.”
“I see my first job as getting out there and meeting everyone, listening and building relationships. We have a lot of expertise we can harness both within our staff and amongst the membership. But we also have to hit the ground running. We’ve got no choice.”
“2026 is an election year with a huge amount at stake. We have to make this a one-term government and be part of shaping the policies which transform our society. I look forward to ensuring that tertiary education is in the spotlight, that politicians of all stripes know how important it is, and that the people of Aotearoa vote accordingly.”
Also in this update:
Employers must protect staff who are subjected to online abuse
AI and secure work hui: Energising TEU events
Independent evidence-based advice required
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