HAU TAKI HAERE Tertiary Update No 7, 2026.

We have a new National Women’s Committee Vice President Tāngata Māori

Āwhina Green from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury has been elected the new VP of the National Women’s Committee – Whakamihi ki a koe Āwhina!

Āwhina identifies as a strong unionist who values Kotahitanga and mana wāhine. She is particularly passionate about ensuring that Māori women’s voices are present, heard, and influential in union spaces. Āwhina comes to the Committee with a background in union leadership at NZEI Te Riu Roa.

Pay equity action Wednesday 6 May!

On Wednesday 6 May university members will have the opportunity participate in a quick action. We'll have huge letters addressed to Vice Chancellors inviting them to show leadership on pay fairness though demonstrating tangible commitment to pay equity. This action is scheduled to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the regressive pay equity law changes that the National-led Coalition Government raced through last year. We are urging Vice Chancellors to meet with TEU members working as librarians and administrators and to commit to paying all staff what they are worth.

The ongoing effects of science cuts

The Save Our Science Coalition launched its new publication, Underfunding our future: the human face of science cuts, on 16 April. You can read a copy of the report here. The coalition says science funding should be increased to 2 per cent of GDP.

Scientist Andrea Bubendorfer, whose  role was disestablished by her employer Callaghan Innovation, due to funding cuts by the government told her story to RNZ, which you can read and listen to here.

Delegate hui

Over the past fortnight TEU delegates came together to attend hui in Palmerston North and Ōtara. These hui were the first of their kind, and included some lively conversations and opportunities to build skills, connections and further develop the delegate role within the TEU.

May Day this Friday!

A reminder that this Friday 1 May is May Day – or International Workers’ Day. Events are being held across the motu to celebrate union member wins and demand better choices from our employers and our Government. May Day is also the first day of bargaining for our polytechnic members. Get out and get visible on May Day!

TEU Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Amy Ross will attend the rally in Ōtepoti Dunedin, Co-Presidents Garrick Cooper and Ti Lamusse will be at Ōtautahi and Pōneke respectively, and past President Julie Douglas will be at the Myers Park event in Tāmaki Makaurau. Events are listed here.

TEU at Waitangi Tribunal

TEU member from the University of Canterbury, Associate Professor Richard Manning, provided expert evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal when it sat to hear the Education and Training Amendment Act and Te Mataiaho Urgent Claim (WAI 3553) lodged by NZEI Te Riu Roa, the primary teachers’ union in Wellington on 15-17 April.

Manning joined NZEI Te Riu Roa union members in declaring the draft curriculum “not fit for purpose,” issuing a stark warning to TEU members about the draft social sciences curriculum for compulsory education. He further expressed fear that the document poses a “real health and safety threat” to teachers, educators, ākonga in years 0-10, Faculty of Education staff, and university students. Manning emphasised that he did not say this lightly, noting colleagues in other unions share his deep concerns.

The warning comes as the Tribunal hears the Crown quietly agreed to remove or reduce Treaty references on the eve of the hearing – despite advice against the move from Ministry of Justice officials. Claimants’ counsel received notice on 14 April, just before proceedings began on 15 April.

Lead claimant counsel Annette Sykes has since sought Crown assurance that any related Bill will not be introduced before the Tribunal issues its report. Final closing submissions were heard today (28 April).