Topical FAQs

We’ve started a body of work to reset Capable NZ.

Q: Why? 

Our Capable NZ enrolments have been declining with a 51.6% decrease over the last four years. So, it’s time for us to find a more sustainable way for Capable NZ to operate.

Currently, our Capable NZ team don’t sit within a structure consistent with that of other OP colleges/schools. This has led to a lack of consistency around strategy, operations, processes and support functions.

Q: What’s the plan?

1. We will continue to offer all Capable NZ programmes.
   
   
2. We will retain the Capable NZ brand as this is well-known and well-respected. Our intent is to strengthen and grow the brand rather than diminish or remove it.
   
   
3. We are proposing to move each Capable NZ programme into the relevant corresponding OP college (i.e. we propose that the Capable NZ Bachelor of Engineering Technology moves within the School of Engineering in the College of Engineering, Construction and Living Sciences).
    
   a) This will ensure each Capable NZ programme is attached to an existing area and leadership structure. It will also ensure each programme has sufficient administrative support. 
   
   b) Other ITPs currently do not have a standalone work-based learning unit, it’s integrated into their mainstream offerings. We have successfully done this with our Bachelor of Culinary Arts programme which is offered through the Food Design Institute as a standard, three-year degree, as well as through an Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) model and a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) model. 
   
   
4. We are also proposing to establish a School of Professional Practice to support the current community of practice within the Capable NZ team (this will support the research activities and outputs produced by that team). This School would sit within Te Maru Pumanawa I College of Creative Practice and Enterprise. This is the School from which we would offer and teach our Professional Practice programmes (graduate diploma, master, and doctorate).

Q: What else potentially needs to happen?

Unfortunately, our current enrolments don’t support the FTE we have in the Capable NZ team. To ensure we are operating sustainably, we are proposing to downsize by 19.8FTE (this includes a currently vacant Head of College position and vacant Head of Programme leadership positions).

Q: How are the Capable team being supported? 

Senior leadership met with the Capable NZ team in-person to explain the proposed changes and the process we will follow to seek feedback. We will ensure that kaimahi are offered continual support during this process. 

Q: Is there not another way of making this work? 

We wouldn’t be proposing these changes unless it was absolutely necessary. We believe that what we are proposing is a way forward to ensure we can still keep offering the same variety of programmes through Capable NZ. However, we are very open to feedback and alternative suggestions from affected kaimahi. 

Q: I'm finding this change quite difficult, where can I get support?

If you need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Formal Leader, your People and Culture Business Partner, our Health and Wellbeing partner, Hayley Laughton, or tap into the Telus Health Employer Assistance programme. 

Which programmes are being discontinued due to these evaluations?

We have made the decision to discontinue:

• New Zealand Certificate in Brewing (Level 4), and
• New Zealand Certificate in Stonemasonry (Level 4).

Our Brewing programme will not run at all from 2025. Our Stonemasonry programme will teach out its second year in 2025 and then cease all teaching from 2026.  

This also means we will no longer offer our Brew Weekend short course or our Drystone walling short course.

Why are these programmes ending?

Stonemasonry and Brewing do not have the enrolments to support their sustainability. 

This has been a very difficult choice for us, but we believe it gives us the best possible chance to be a sustainable organisation into the future and for us to be a standalone institution. We are committed to trying to find a path that will best serve the Cromwell community and wider region, and to play our part in achieving a sustainable model for New Zealand’s tertiary education sector.  

What will happen to the Brew School? 

We’re currently working through what this means for our on-campus brewery and our Brew School products and will provide a further update when we can.  

What’s been done to support impacted kaimahi? 

Our priority focus is on the wellbeing of kaimahi who have been affected by this decision. We are working closely with them on potential redeployment opportunities. 

TKM want to thank the kaimahi who established and taught on these programmes over the last few years – thank you for your dedication to our ākonga and for the passion you have for your subject. Thank you also to all Cromwell and Wānaka-based kaimahi for engaging in the reviews and for taking the time to submit such considered feedback.  

Have stakeholders been told? 

Yes, we have liaised with prospective ākonga key contacts such as Career Advisors. We have also sent out emails to community stakeholders and programme partners and socialised this on our Facebook and Linkedin channels. The Otago Polytechnic website has been updated to reflect all changes and new pathways. 

We are holding a kaimahi engagement event and a community engagement event in Cromwell on 27 January 2025. At these events, TKM will meet with kaimahi and key stakeholders to gather thoughts and ideas around ensuring the Central Otago campus is sustainable in the long run. 

Why did this appear in the media? 

The public statements in the media are not something we actively pursued but they are also not something we can escape. We try and front foot these as best we can, when and where possible. Unfortunately, we cannot control the narrative that sometimes appears in the media or the timings of when things become public knowledge. 

Key changes

Ākonga

• Ākonga are no longer allowed to have dogs in classrooms, anywhere on campus, in The Hub or at any activities.
• The exception are Service Dogs who are allowed to accompany ākonga (refer to definition from Companion Animals NZ – Can my dog be an assistance dog).

Kaimahi

• If kaimahi* wish to have a dog in an office space, they will need to get written consent from all kaimahi who work in the area. This includes individual offices and shared spaces. The Formal Leader will advise the kaimahi dog owner of the outcome (refer to Appendix 1 in the policy). 
• If a new kaimahi* starts in the work area, consent also needs to be gained from them, and this may result in a change of conditions for the dog being permitted on campus.
• Any dog events/dog visits to an Otago Polytechnic campus will require an application to the Animals@OP committee to ensure all aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Animal Welfare Act are considered, including identifying animal and human risk mitigation strategies (refer to Appendix 2 in the policy).
• If kaimahi wish to take their dog to a dog event/visit or for the dog to be part of an Otago Polytechnic- sanctioned event i.e. Tertiary Open Day, even if they have consent to have their dog on campus they will need to apply to Animals@OP committee to have their dog present.
• Any incidents around dogs on campus need to be lodged in VAULT (our Wellbeing and Safety Reporting tool).

*This includes all contractors. 

Public / visitors

• The public and visitors are not allowed to have dogs anywhere on campus. The exception again being Service Dogs. 

FAQs

Q: Who were the key stakeholders involved in making this decision?

TKM, PCW, Wellbeing and Safety, HOC ECL, Acting HOP School Animal Health, Animals@OP Committee, and the Policies Committee which included ākonga representation.

Q: Who will advise ākonga that currently bring dog/s on to campus that this is no longer allowed?

We will be adding a message to the student intranet, Kāpehu, for ākonga about this change to the policy. We will also make sure that OPSA and Programme Reps spread the word.

If an ākonga brings a dog on to campus after 1 January 2025, please refer them to the policy and advise them that dogs are no longer allowed. Please ask them to remove their dog from campus. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, please ask the relevant Head of College/Head of Programme; a Wellbeing and Safety Team member or OPSA to discuss the situation with the ākonga (preferably in that order).

Q: If I currently bring my dog to work, do I need to get consent from all kaimahi within my work area?  

Yes.

Q: How long will I have to gain consent from all kaimahi in my work area?  

You will have until 1st January 2025 to complete this mahi. 

Q: If I work in the School of Animal Health, am I required to get consent from all kaimahi with my work area to bring my dog to work?

Yes, this policy applies to all kaimahi, including contractors.

Q: Are external contractors coming onto an Otago Polytechnic campus permitted to bring dogs?

No, not without an application to Animals@OP approval (refer to Appendix 2).

Q: As a kaimahi dog owner, do I need to talk to my Formal Leader about bringing my dog to work before I send the consent form to all kaimahi in my work area?

Yes, to ensure your Formal Leader is aware of this process being undertaken.

Q: If I am asked by a kaimahi dog owner to complete a consent form and do not want a dog in my work area will my information be confidential?  

Yes, your consent will be submitted once you complete it to your Formal Leader only.  They are required to ensure this information is stored confidentially, and no information is disclosed to the kaimahi dog owner relating to your feedback.

Q: If I am allowed to have my dog in my workspace, will I be required to put signage up within the area to warn others of its presence?  

Yes, particularly on internal doors. You can download this here or from the policy.  

Q: Will Campus Services be putting up signage warning of the potential presence of dogs on campus?  

Yes, these will be located at each main entranceways to all buildings.

Q: What areas on Otago Polytechnic campuses am I permitted to have my dog if I have permission for it to be on campus?

Your dog can be in your work area, public walkways, in The Hub (or equivalent), Otago Polytechnic grounds and car parks. It must be on a lead and under control at all times. It also needs to be kept well away from food preparation areas. If you’re in a shared space such as The Hub, you need to check with those around you that they are comfortable with your dog being there. 

Q: Where is my dog not allowed?

Any Otago Polytechnic learning and teaching spaces/activities, including work-placement/clinical placement or equivalents (except the School of Animal Health as per the currently approved animal use protocol) such as laboratories, workshops, building sites, art studios, design workshops, classrooms, field trips, outdoor activities, toilet facilities, hospitality kitchens and cafes, and accommodation i.e. Te Pa Tauira.

Q: What happens if ākonga brings a dog to class or onto campus?  

Please ask them to remove the dog away from campus, preferably by having someone come and collect it or take it home. Please also log an incident on VAULT.

Q: What happens if I see a dog behaving aggressively, or inappropriately, showing signs of distress and do not feel comfortable to talk to the dog owner?

Please refer this to your Formal Leader and log a job on VAULT for the incident to be investigated.

Q: Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please connect with Francesca.Brown@op.ac.nz (Veterinarian, and Acting Head of College; College of Engineering, Construction and Living Sciences). 

Which programmes are being discontinued due to these evaluations? 

We have made the decision to discontinue the following programmes from 2025: 

Beauty Therapy 

• New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) with a focus on beauty 

Note: Learners can use the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) to pathway into our New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4). 

Design

• Postgraduate Certificate in Design  
• Postgraduate Diploma in Design  
• Master of Design  
• Master of Design Enterprise   

Note: We will continue to offer the Bachelor of Design (Honours) and all undergraduate design programmes. Our Master of Design will teach out its final year in 2025 and then cease all teaching from 2026. 

Digital Media and Design 

• New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5)   

Note: We will continue to offer the New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4). This can be used as a negotiated pathway into our New Zealand Diploma in Photography (Level 6). 

Early Childhood Education 

• New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) and (Level 4)  

English Language 

• New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 2) 

Note: We are continuing to offer our other English Language programmes based in Dunedin. 

Health and Wellbeing 

• New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) 

Note: Learners can use the Health Bridging Certificate – New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) and (Level 4) – to pathway into the Bachelor of Social Services 

Horticulture 

• New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3)
• New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Amenity) (Level 3)
• New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Amenity) (Level 4) 

Note: We are continuing to offer horticulture at our Central Otago campus. 

Occupational Therapy 

• Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice in Health and Wellbeing (Specialty) 
• Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy Practice 
• Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy Practice 
• Master of Occupational Therapy  

Note: We will continue to offer the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), and our Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree. We will teach out all of our postgraduate programmes so that current ākonga can complete their qualifications and then teaching will cease. 

Why are these programmes ending? 

All of the discontinued programmes did not have the enrolments to support their sustainability. 

Whilst this has been a difficult decision to make, we believe it gives us the best possible chance to be sustainable into the future and for us to be a standalone institution. We are committed to finding a path that will best serve the Dunedin community and wider region, and to play our part in achieving a sustainable model for New Zealand’s tertiary education sector. 

What’s been done to support impacted kaimahi? 

Our priority focus is on the wellbeing of kaimahi who have been affected by this decision. We are working closely with them on potential redeployment opportunities. 

TKM want to thank the kaimahi who established and taught on these programmes – thank you for your dedication to our ākonga and for the passion you have for your subject. Thank you also to all kaimahi who engaged in the reviews and took time to submit such considered feedback.

What’s been done to support affected learners or applicants? 

All current learners will be able to complete their programme of study. 

We have reached out to all applicants/enrolled applicants for 2025 intakes to offer them alternative options. Each person was offered an appointment with our Careers Team to discuss their path and our Pasifika and Te Punaka Ōwheo reached out to Pasifika and Māori applicants. 

We have also given a full refund to any applicant or enrolled student who had a place in our student village if they now do not wish to keep it. 

Have stakeholders been told? 

Yes, we have liaised with prospective ākonga key contacts such as Career Advisors. We have also sent out emails to community stakeholders and programme partners and socialised this on our Facebook and Linkedin channels. The Otago Polytechnic website has been updated to reflect all changes and new pathways. 

Why did this appear in the media? 

The public statements in the media are not something we actively pursued but they are also not something we can escape. We try and front foot these as best we can, when and where possible. Unfortunately, we cannot control the narrative that sometimes appears in the media or the timings of when things become public knowledge. 

We have decided to move the Kōwhai Centre and English Language Centre out of their current locations on St David Street and Forth Street. 

Q: Why is this happening?

There are a few primary reasons for this:  

1. The current Kōwhai Centre site only has four available spaces which will not enable this programme to grow. Increasing the number of rooms will allow us to increase the cohort size for the Bachelor of Social Services.  
2. As part of our drive for good business practice and continual reflection on how we’re operating, we have been reviewing our space utilisation. Due to this, we’ve found that there is plenty of available space around the campus.  
3. The English Language property on Forth Street is an ageing asset that would require more capital to keep up to an acceptable standard and we are able to fit kaimahi on our main campus.  

We will therefore be moving the Kōwhai Centre into H Block, and we are working to finalise the location for English Language. This will enable us to lower our current operating costs and to sell the St David Street and Forth Street properties.  

Q: What are the details?  

The Kōwhai Centre will be moving to the sixth floor of H Block. This is a natural fit given that Social Services staff already work in this block and the existing rooms will require minimal change to convert them into counselling rooms.  

When the counselling rooms are not in use, they will be able to be used as breakout spaces for H Block staff. We’ll also be converting H612 into a new Adobe suite and developing a new counter space.

We will let you know the details we land on for English Language when we can.  

Q: When will this happen?

We will be working with staff to confirm these desk moves during April. The desk moves will then take place during July, and the H Block rooms will be prepared as counselling rooms during August – October.  

In November, we will exit the Kōwhai Centre, and the new Kōwhai Centre will be operational from January 2026.  

We will sell the two properties in late 2025 – 2026. 

Q: Why is this happening? 

The Professorial Appointments policy was introduced in July 2005 to recognise and appoint senior academic staff.   

The first full professor was appointed in late 2005. 

The Professoriate has expanded significantly since then, peaking at 28 members in 2023.  

Te Kahui Manukura (TKM) has decided to undertake a review of the Professoriate to fully understand its contribution across Otago Polytechnic and how it can best contribute to our viability and longevity.  

Now is an excellent time to re-establish why we do things and not just rest on what has always been done. We need to continually review and re-set our operations as part of our ongoing business practice.   

By reviewing the current outputs of the Professoriate, we can ensure it is positioned to contribute effectively to our purpose and vision, and to support kaimahi to achieve our strategic priorities.

Q: What’s the purpose of the review?  

The purpose of this review is to: 

• evaluate what the Professoriate currently do against our purpose and strategic direction 
• identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for the development of the Professoriate. 

Q: What’s the process? 

An external panel has been appointed to conduct this review.  

The Professoriate will meet with members from TKM and be invited to make written and/or verbal submissions.  

Key stakeholders will also be asked to supply information to the panel.  

The panel will create a final report for TKM (due end April 2025) which will give a series of recommendations about the future focus for the Professoriate. As well as an analysis of the current outputs of the Professoriate, the report will also include identified opportunities for development and growth.  

Q: Who’s on the panel?  

To ensure an independent review, the panel consists of three external experts:  

• Emeritus Professor Lachy Paterson (University of Otago) (Chair)    
• Jamie Smiler (Head of Research, Te Pūkenga)  
• Dr Kate Timms-Dean (General Manager, Aukaha)   

Q: What’s the timeframe?  

• TKM meet with the Professoriate in late February 2025. 
• The panel will then gather the information they need during March 2025.  
• The final report will be given from the panel to TKM at the end of April 2025. 
• Recommendations and new focuses will be rolled out during 2025.  

Q: Can I get involved?  

The panel will be actively reaching out to key stakeholders who have been identified as having relevant connections to the work that the Professoriate do.