New Plymouth's mayor has taken issue with the city's MP over comments about its largest tertiary education provider being happy to carry on as is after so far missing out on funding for a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its facilities.
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Labour Party MP Glen Bennett made the comment after meeting with Western Institute of Technology (WITT) management yesterday while touring the city with caucus colleagues.
Bennett said he was looking long term.
"We'll continue to have that [funding] conversation and it's a long-term game. For me personally, this a long-term game. And I want some short-term wins, yes, but at the moment and after talking to management at WITT, I feel we are confident moving forward as we are."
The polytech's bid for $25 million in shovel-ready funding was overlooked, and during last year's election campaign, Labour Party heavyweights told the institute that it could expect "strong support" for funding if the party was elected.
Mayor Neil Holdom said the politicians seemed to have forgotten that commitment.
Mayor Neil Holdom Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
"We haven't seen evidence of a big push to support the polytech, because there was not a single dollar for it in the budget, so it was somewhat disappointing not to see it funded."
Holdom said the polytech in conjuction with local authorities and iwi had now quadrupled its bid for funding in a new vision for the institution: Te Korowai Mātauranga o Taranaki - The Cloak of Knowledge.
"As a region, we've asked the government to actually invest around $100 million in WITT over the next four to 10 years as a key foundation of this just transition as we move to a lower carbon economy, and we see this as getting education to all the people in Taranaki."
Investing in the polytech was a safe way for the government to show its commitment to a just transition, Holdom said.
"It's an opportunity sitting there waiting for the government to really put up and match the rhetoric of supporting the region with some dollars to actually make some things happen on the ground."
Holdom said he was mindful, however, that vocational education was being completely reformed.
"Maybe we were a little optimistic asking for $100 million this year when they are still going through integrating all these institutions, but the goal is certainly to secure funding for WITT. It is a key part of our transition."
WITT chief executive John Snook said he was not content with the status quo.
"There's learners being missed, being left behind and Taranaki has some of the highest statistics in terms of deprivation and people not in education or training. I could never be happy with that, so no.
"We know we've got a just transition to make and education will be at the forefront of that."
Snook said he was willing to take the politicians at their word that the funding would eventually materialise.
"We are confident that the government is good for its word. Their word has been quoted in the media and we continue to plan accordingly. We continue with the planning of the environments that will support the economy of Taranaki and allow for the just transition that we all so desperately need."
The institute had not seen any major investment in 50 years and $100m would drag it into the modern world, Snook said.
"You'll get a campus that is future-proofed, fit for purpose and bring learners together and not be New Plymouth-centric, but have campuses whether small or large or public asset or marae or library that allows learners to interact with each other and the content of their programme of study."
The funding announcement was only made eight months ago so he was not too worried it had not materialised yet, he said.
"In the end, all I can do is make it as likely to happen as I can and if they choose not to fund it so be it."
MP Glen Bennett was optimistic the money would be found.
Labour MP Glen Bennett Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
"I'm really hopeful as the local MP that we are going to make something happen, because we all know that WITT is a really pivotal player in the future of Taranaki when it comes to climate, when it comes to our energy futures, but also the future of work. They play a key role."
Te Korowai Mātauranga o Taranaki - The Cloak of Knowledge
WITT campus masterplan
- Stage 1: redesign of campus entrance, the Industry Hall - $4m - 2023 onwards
- Stage 2: Upgrade of A and B blocks, and development of F block, the Community Auditorium - $21m - 2023 onwards
- Stage 3: New trades training centre and Infrastructure Park, create EcoCampus in South Taranaki - $10m - 2023 onwards
- Stage 4: Creation of Taranaki Health Education Precinct - $30m - 2024 onwards
- Stage 4: Locate Māori Enterprise and Business School in an Innovation Hug in the New Plymouth CBD, develop Business Park in South Taranaki - $30m 2024 onwards