Southern Institute of Technology is governed by the SIT Council and managed by the SIT management team.
Mission Statement
Southern Institute of Technology provides quality vocational education which equips people with the knowledge and skills to be effective industry participants.
E whakarato ana Te Whare Wananga o Murihiku i nga ratonga huaraki kia whakarawe i te tangata kit e mohiotanga me ka pukenga kia mahi tika ai a ia kei roto nei i tona ahumahi.
Statement of Purpose
Southern Institute of Technology will provide students with quality education and training services.
Ka whangaitia e Te Whare Wananga o Murihiku nga tauira ki nga matauranga me nga akoranga tino teitei.
Goals and Continuing Objectives
- Provide for and encourage student participation and achievement in a range of quality learning opportunities and services
- Enhance academic achievement and satisfaction of stakeholders
- Offer a range of programmes, staircasing opportunities, and flexible delivery modes which provide occupational and life skills
- Improve the representation and achievement of under-represented and disadvantaged groups
- Provide a range of student and staff support services
- Foster our social and professional obligations to both stakeholders and staff
- Foster and enhance relationships with all external stakeholders
- Create and maintain policies which are consistent with the Human Rights Act
- Enhance and promote an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application to the Institution
- Provide a physically desirable learning and working environment
- Operate a viable educationally directed business entity
- Manage the organisation effectively and efficiently
- Demonstrate commitment to the employment and development of quality staff
- Enhance revenue income from other than Government funded activities
SIT Council Members
Peter Heenan
Chair of SIT Council
Ministerial Appointment
Peter was appointed as Chair of the SIT Council by the Minister in May 2017 and has a strong background in business and community leadership roles. Peter is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. He is the Executive Director of Finance for the HW Richardson Group, and trustee of both the Southland Hospice Charitable Trust and Southland Boys’ High School Board of Trustees. Peter’s previous governance roles include: Chair of the Southland Boys’ High School Board of Trustees and Chair of the Netball Southland Board.
Tim Ward
Deputy Chair of SIT Council
Ministerial Appointment
Tim is Deputy-Chair of the SIT Council and Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and brings a range of business and community experience to the table. He is Managing Partner of BDO Invercargill, former chair of BDO’s national organisation and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant. A former elected member and Deputy Chair on the Southern District Health Board, Tim chaired the Audit and Risk Committee for the Board. Tim is the current Chair of the Verdon College Board of Trustees.
Dean Addie
Community Appointment
Dean is Chair of the SIT Council Health and Safety Committee and Chief Executive Officer of EIS Automation and Electrical, a Southland based organisation. Dean is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management. Dean holds other board and trustee roles including: Deputy Chair of Southland Foundation for Youth Development; Chair of Dog Island Motu Piu Trust; and National Board Member of the Electrical Training Company.
Jeff Grant
Ministerial Appointment
Jeff farms deer, beef and sheep at Balfour and brings extensive agribusiness and national governance experience to the council. A former Member of Parliament, Jeff is chairman of the board of directors for OSPRI New Zealand, AgResearch, Milford Sound Tourism and Southland Shared Services. He is also a director of SBS Bank, Finance Now Ltd, New Zealand Young Farmers, Predator Free 2050 Ltd and Cooper Valley Holdings. Jeff has held directorships in agribusiness including former chair of the NZ Meat Board, Mt Linton Station Ltd, Meat and Wool New Zealand and the Primary Industry Council, and is currently The Meat Industry Association’s representative in the Brexit discussions in the UK relating to support for New Zealand red meat.
Peter Jackson
Community Appointment
Peter is a Director of H2O Design Ltd, an accredited member of the Institute of Directors and Chair of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and Chair of Site Safe New Zealand. Peter is a director of Southern Lakes English College, trustee of the Apprentice Training Trust, representative for New Zealand on the World Plumbing Council, Business Mentor for Business Mentors of New Zealand, and a member of the New Zealand Construction Strategy Group.
Aimee Kaio
Ministerial Appointment
A born and bred Bluff woman, Aimee brings a range of community development experience to the table. Aimee is Director/Owner of NORA Ltd, a local business development, research and evaluation consultancy and also a Director of Awarua Developments Ltd. Aimee is a Kahui Maori Board Member of the Deep South National Science Challenge, a Trustee of the 1000 Days Trust and the Murihiku Maori & Pasifika Cultural Trust. Aimee sits on a number of boards in an advisory capacity, representing Iwi and community, and is currently the Manager of Tribal Economies for Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.
Murray Donald
Community Appointment
Murray has a wide range of experience in agribusiness enterprises and farms sheep and beef in the Waianiwa district of Southland. Murray is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Chair of Mt Linton Station Ltd, a director of Farmlands Co-operative Society Ltd, and a trustee of Agri-Women’s Development Trust. Previously Murray has served as a director of the Alliance Group Ltd, Farmers’ Mutual Group and Alliance Group Trustee.
Janet Copeland
Community Appointment
Janet is an Invercargill based employment lawyer and managing principal of specialist employment and health and safety law firm Copeland Ashcroft Law. Janet has held governance roles for the past 20 years including in tertiary education, elite sport and local government sectors. Janet is presently a member of the Dunedin City Council Audit and Risk Committee and the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Law Society.