New Whitireia Council Chair Roger Sowry, Deputy Chair Dr Alan Barker and Dr Kabini Sanga were welcomed to Whitireia with a rousing haka from Whitireia Performing Arts today (Friday 21 May) in a powhiri led by Ngati Toa kaumatua Aka Arthur and Taku Parai.

Roger Sowry acknowledged the work of the outgoing Whitireia Council. He spoke of his connection to Whitireia, dating from his election to government in 1990 and work with then Chief Executive Turoa Royal. "There has been a lot of talk and speculation around the four ministerial apointments to both Whitireia and Weltec" said Sowry. "The ball is now in the Council's court to look for areas of co-operation, there is no greater expectation than that." His aim is clearly set on great outcomes for students.

"This is an important day for us" said Chief Executive Don Campbell. "You bring valuable skills and I am confident the Minister was looking for the best people he could find."

The new Council has a balance of tertiary and educational quality management, geographic representation and cultural community development.  The complementary appointments fit well with the Tertiary Education Strategy intentions which include:  developing outcomes for Maori and Pacific students, increased weighting of study above level 4, increasing under 25s involvement in tertiary training.