TEU farewells Dr Sandra Grey.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union warmly congratulates our long-time member, activist, staff member, and inspirational Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Dr Sandra Grey on her new role as President of Te Kauae Kaimahi | Council of Trade Unions.

Dr Grey departs for the CTU after 22 years, starting as an activist at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington before going on to serve as Vice President, National President, Communications and Campaigns Officer and – for the last five years – National Secretary.

Sandra led year-on-year growth in our union, a successful nationwide strike for university staff in 2022 (the first in nearly 20 years), improved results in collective negotiations including in private sector organisations, and a reinvigoration of local activism through campaigns, actions, and union education.

Tumu Whakarae – Tiriti | National President – Tiriti Dr Julie Douglas says “this is a huge honour for our union. Sandra will be the second CTU president from our union, following in the footsteps of Helen Kelly. She takes with her a proven record of growth, an enormous amount of strategic and analytical skill combined with true union values. Her vision for this union moved us to a place we weren’t before.”

Tumu Whakarae – Māori | National President – Māori Huhana Watene says “we wouldn’t have co-governance if Sandra hadn’t driven it and that is perhaps her greatest legacy for which we will be forever grateful. Sandra wants, above all else, to see the union movement as a force for the contemporary world and that is a huge part of her commitment to Te Tiriti.”

Dr Grey starts her new role at the CTU in late October. TEU will begin the recruitment process to appoint a new Te Pou Ahurei in the coming days.