Parting words from Dr Julie Douglas.

This year has been significant for the TEU. It brings to an end the first term of a co-led union under our new constitution which provides for a co-governed union. In addition, we have also farewelled of our National Secretary, Dr Sandra Grey, with her move to the presidency of the NZCTU. These changes bring new national co-presidents Ti Lamusse and Garrick Cooper alongside new National Secretary Amy Ross. These three will take over in January and February 2026. Exciting times indeed.

I will miss the role of National President – Tiriti, I have enjoyed the challenge, the political excitement, the stimulating strategic and political conversations, media interviews to voice our members’ concerns, visiting sites, and getting to know our members and their stories.

I won’t miss the inability of politicians to focus on what is needed in our tertiary sector, to understand the future is based on a well-educated and skilled workforce, and that young kiwis need to have opportunities to follow their passions and thrive through education. For too long governments have underinvested in our sector, in our staff and our communities.

Next year we have an opportunity to clearly send our message to political candidates that ignoring us and what we stand for is at their peril. We are the voice of the sector, we must, as a union, stay strong in solidarity and repel employers’ efforts to diminish our influence. This government has tried to divide us through the destruction of the WDCs, the imminent disestablishment of Te Pūkenga, the attacks on research and research funding, the undermining of academic freedom, and the reduction in workers’ voice on councils and boards.

The fight will continue. We will have wins, it won’t be easy, but we must stay together, understand we are all impacted when any part of our membership is under attack. However, we must also stop attacking each other and focus on the real fight. There is no time for pettiness, only clear strategic democratic processes which we all pull together around.

So, thank you everyone who has made my presidency so fantastic – to members, our kaumatua, matua Hone and taua Roimata, for all their wisdom and support, and to the amazing staff of the TEU, and my co-president Huhana Watene. I will miss you all indeed.

All the best to Ti, Garrick, and Amy – you are coming into these union roles at an exciting time. I know you will all be fabulous and continue the journey TEU is on as the best union in the tertiary sector.

Kia kaha comrades

I roto i te Kotahitanga