#TEU2022.

Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 26, No 9

Both Hui Te Uepū and the Annual Conference of Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union were successfully held last week, at Wellington’s Brentwood Hotel.

Delegates to both meetings were energised and excited by the opportunity to spend time face-to-face and discuss matters of great importance to the future of TEU with depth and understanding that online hui cannot facilitate.

At Hui Te Uepū, proposed mātāpono | principles that will inform and underpin the drafting of our new constitution were introduced; video uiuinga | interviews with lead kaimahi from Te Pūkenga on the implementation of Te Pae Tawhiti and the Cultural Capability Framework were shared; and TEU kōwhiringa | national elections, Te Mahere Mahi | Māori Workplan, and draft Te Rautaki Taimahi | Māori Employment Strategy were discussed.

Another important piece of mahi that got underway was planning for Hui-ā-Motu, which will be hosted at Araiteuru Marae in Ōtepoti from 1-3 September. Watch this space as the call for registrations will be emailed out in mid to late July!

For the Conference itself, the highlights of the first day included a keynote address by Vice Presidents Hūhana Wātene and Julie Douglas on behalf of Tumu Whakarae | National President Tina Smith who couldn’t be present due to illness, a celebration of Pink Shirt Day, and a discussion concerning the transformation of our union’s constitution in line with our commitment to be a Te Tiriti-led union.

Also of particular note was an address by Minister of Education Chris Hipkins, which came a day after the government delivered a Budget that failed to inflation proof the already inadequate funding for the sector.

The Minister thanked delegates for their considerable contribution to the COVID-19 response, but went on to say “The budget won’t have quenched all of your aspirations but I do think we need to acknowledge the extraordinary times.”

During the conference delegates acknowledged the extraordinary times, but did not accept that staff and students should continue to bear the costs of ongoing under resourcing. The delegates committed to standing together to ensure staff get the pay and conditions they deserve – keep an eye out in Tertiary Update so you can play your part in negotiations action.

On day two, the Conference focussed on remits and workshops. The most noteworthy rule change saw additional youth representation added to our union’s governing Council while workshops focussed on this year’s major campaigns and workplan such as the rules review, workload, pay and conditions, and pay equity.

The entire Conference was jointly chaired by Hūhana Wātene and Julie Douglas in a successful demonstration of what the Te Tiriti relationship can and should be.

Delegates left on Saturday afternoon fired up and ready to continue shaping our future.

If you want to know more about the outcomes of the 2022 conference, contact your local Branch President – you can find their contact details here.

Also in this update:

Other Stories:

  • A Working People’s Analysis of the 2022 Budget  – NZCTU
  • Tertiary education out in the cold once again  – TEU
  • A statement from Hui Te Ūepu on Budget 2022 – TEU
  • Get your flu Jab for 2022 – HealthCarePlus