Source: New Zealand Government
Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced four new member appointments to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
“I am pleased to appoint and welcome Emeritus Professor Sally Davenport MNZM, Dr Uluomato’otua (Ulu) Saulaulu Aiono ONZM, Mr Simon Flood and Mr Michael (Mike) Chapman as new members of the TEC Board,” Ms Simmonds says.
“These appointments will strengthen the TEC Board and ensure it has the skills and focus to drive the implementation of the Government’s priorities for the tertiary education and training system.
“The new members will help ensure the Board provides the expert oversight needed to guide the TEC through re-establishing regional polytechnics, focusing investment on the skills employers need, and ensuring New Zealand’s universities remain at the forefront of research and innovation.”
Dr Alan Bollard CNZM will continue as Chair of the TEC Board, with Robin Hapi CNZM continuing as Deputy Chair.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the four departing TEC Board members for their service: Emeritus Professor Alastair MacCormick CNZM, Deidre Shea MNZM, Kirk Hope, and Samuela (Sam) Sefuiva.
“Each has contributed meaningfully to the tertiary education system during their tenure. I especially wish to recognise the longstanding service of Emeritus Professor MacCormick, who has been a member of the Board since May 2017.”
The new Board members have been appointed for a three-year term.
“I look forward to working with the refreshed Board as we head into 2026 with a clear focus on the TEC’s delivery and investment priorities,” Ms Simmonds says.
Notes for editors:
- Emeritus Professor Sally Davenport MNZM has had a career working and leading at the forefront of research and innovation. She has held leadership roles with Victoria University of Wellington, the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology and as the Director of a National Science Challenge. She was also a member of Board of the Productivity Commission from 2011 to 2020 and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science in the 2018 New Year’s Honours.
- Dr Uluomato’otua (Ulu) Saulaulu Aiono ONZM is an innovator with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for South Auckland communities. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit and a member of the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame for his achievements in software development and business leadership and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Otago earlier this year. Dr Aiono is Chair of The Cause Collective, a large primary healthcare organisation and Whanau Ora commissioning agency. He has also previously served as a member of the councils of the Manukau Institute of Technology and Auckland University of Technology.
- Mr Simon Flood is the Chair of Queenstown Airport and serves as Chair or director for a range of companies and trusts in the South Island, with these roles following an offshore career in investment management with Merrill Lynch.
- Mr Michael (Mike) Chapman is the former Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand and Kiwifruit New Zealand, and a former director of the industry training organisation for primary industries. Prior to his roles in the horticultural sector, Mr Chapman held leadership roles with the Commerce Commission and the Auckland District Law Society. He has also been a Commander and Solicitor in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
