8. Hon MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
Does she believe that she has a good overview of Auckland tertiary education issues?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Associate Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
Yes. I am advised that the Minister has visited the campuses of Auckland University, the Auckland University of Technology, and the Manukau Institute of Technology. I am also advised that the Auckland University of Technology, at its own suggestion, took the Minister on a short helicopter ride so she could gain a greater understanding of the population growth in Auckland, the distances between tertiary sector institutions, and the ways the Auckland University of Technology intends to serve different communities within the Auckland region.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that the helicopter ride over Auckland was the result of her misunderstanding the expression “A helicopter view of the issues”?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
It will certainly be clear from previous answers that it was actually the Auckland University of Technology that made that suggestion. Of course, it should also be clear that the royal commissioners had to do a report on the spread-out nature of Auckland simply because it is so spread out and needs better governance.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
Did the Minister take the helicopter ride over Auckland to avoid meeting with student leaders, who had been trying to meet with her for some time, and who, in desperation, had embarked on what they called “The Great Tolley Hunt: the Sounds of Silence”?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP Link to this
The Minister has been very active in the Auckland region, visiting numerous tertiary institutions; the Auckland University of Technology was determined to ensure that she had the clearest possible insight. The Minister is focused on ensuring that students and universities get resources, and not the bloated Tertiary Education Commission as was apparently the plan of the previous Government.
Hon Maryan Street Link to this
I seek leave to table an article from Nexus, which I understand to be the Waikato University student newspaper, entitled “The Great Tolley Hunt: the Sounds of Silence”.
Mr SPEAKERLeave is sought to table a statement from a student newspaper. Is there any objection to that? There is objection.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
It is a legitimate point of order. I seek leave to table a map of Auckland. She does not know the distances so we are here to help.