Topical FAQs

Which programmes are being discontinued due to these evaluations?

We have made the decision to discontinue the 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 have had a continuing trend of low enrolments affecting the contributing margin of these programmes. 

This decision is an outcome of the work to support the Government's intentions to have independent regional Vocational Education and Training institutions. These decisions are never easy, but because of our importance to the region, it is essential to have a financially sustainable institution.  

This has been a very difficult choice for us, but we believe it gives us the best possible chance to be financially viable 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 Dunedin 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 you and the wider Cromwell and Wānaka-based whānau for engaging in the reviews and for taking the time to submit such considered feedback.  

When will we hear about the outcomes for the Dunedin-based programmes? 

We will send another email update in early December but there may be interim communications sent to all staff.  

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).