Today Merran shared with us that she has accepted a new role as Deputy Chief Executive, Transformation and Transition, with NZIST.
As she says in her message, it’s an exciting opportunity for her, but she is sad to be leaving her Unitec whānau, particularly during such an unsettling time, but we should think of this news as huge recognition for all that we have achieved together at Unitec over the past couple of years.
The NZIST Board has appointed Gus Gilmore as Chief Executive of both Unitec and MIT. More on this in Peter Winder’s communication sent to all Unitec and MIT staff today. With Merran taking on her new role at the end of the month, Gus’ appointment is effective Monday 31 August.
You can read more about Merran’s appointment, as well as the five other newly appointed Deputy Chief Executives in the NZIST release here and below.
NZIST appoints six Deputy Chief Executives 
Nau mai, haere atu ēnei kupu whakatau
Ki te iti, ki te rahi o Aotearoa whānui
Tēnei te tira hou e hanake nei
He pūkenga, he mātanga, he ringa tōhau nui
Whītiki, maranga, he ora!
This message is being sent to all of New Zealand
This is a new team ready to go
Skilled, knowledgeable and industrious
Prepare for the future.
New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) Chief Executive Stephen Town is very pleased to announce the appointment of six Deputy Chief Executives (DCE). The new roles will form the basis of Stephen’s new leadership team and signal another step in the progress NZIST is making to build a cohesive, sustainable vocational education system.
The DCE appointments are:
- Ana Morrison will be our DCE Partnerships and Equity. Ana is currently the Executive Director – Strategic Partnerships & Māori Success at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Tania Winslade will be our DCE Learner Journey and Experience. Tania is currently the GM Māori Outcomes at Auckland Council
- Warwick Quinn will be our DCE Employer Journeys. Warwick is currently the Chief Executive of the BCITO
- Dr Angela Beaton will be our DCE Delivery and Academic. Angela is currently GM National Women’s Health, Auckland DHB
- Merran Davis will be our DCE Transformation and Transition. Merran is currently the interim Chief Executive of Unitec institute of Technology
- Vaughan Payne will be our DCE Operations. Vaughan is currently the Chief Executive of the Waikato Regional Council
“We have had significant interest and a very high calibre of people keen on being part of our team. I am exceptionally pleased that our six new DCEs will be joining me to take on the leadership and management of what will be a big, challenging and exciting journey towards reimagining vocational education and training for New Zealand,” says Stephen.
“Our new leadership team brings with them a diverse, multi-faceted set of skills, knowledge and experience. The very thing we need to ensure that New Zealand’s largest provider of tertiary education will meet the unique needs of all our learners, employers, industry and communities.”
The six new DCEs are expected to take up their roles before early November.
Bio details:
Ana Morrison: DCE Partnerships and Equity
Ana Morrison (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) has over 15 years of successful leadership experience in senior management and governance across diverse sectors including tertiary education, law, Māori economy, NGO and kaupapa Māori health and social services.
In her most recent role as Executive Director – Strategic Partnerships & Māori Success at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Ana was responsible for mana ōrite Tiriti relationships, Māori success, strategic partnerships and youth & community engagement.
Ms Morrison holds law and science degrees from the University of Auckland and is an impactful advocate for Tiriti excellence and equitable outcomes for Māori.
Tania Winslade: DCE Learner Journey and Experience
Tania joins NZIST after a role on the executive leadership team at Auckland Council. She has worked around the globe – as an international commercial lawyer and in international development. Since returning home to Aotearoa she’s held senior leadership roles that focus on supporting Māori and all New Zealanders to thrive – this includes in the areas of public law and policy, strategy, economic development, governance, people and organisational performance, and local government.
Warwick Quinn: DCE Employer Journey and Experience
Warwick is former CE of BCITO, Motor Trade Association and Registered Master Builders Association.
He has held the positions of General Manager Regulatory in LINZ and the statutory positions of Valuer-General and Chief Crown Property Officer.
Warwick has worked in local authorities, multi-national property companies and banks. A registered valuer, he is past Chair of the Valuers Registration Board and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and the Property Institute of NZ.
Dr Angela Beaton: DCE Delivery and Academic
Angela is an academic leader and researcher with a broad range of experience in the public sector. She has delivered large scale, academic innovations, collaborating with learners, industry, employers, researchers, communities, iwi, marae, Pacific leaders and education providers.
She has held academic and research leadership and governance roles in education, health, and research-based organisations. Prior to joining NZIST, she was GM National Women’s Health, Auckland DHB.
Merran Davis: DCE Transformation & Transition
Merran has diverse public and private sector experience in teaching, research, executive leadership, complex collaboration, technology commercialisation, consulting and governance.
Prior to joining NZIST, Merran was Interim CE of Unitec, leading the institution’s turn around in performance based on deep respect for people, shared values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She is passionate about lifelong learning, inclusion and supporting people and organisations to realise their potential.
Vaughan Payne: DCE Operations
Vaughan is from the Bay of Plenty iwi of Whakatōhea (Mataatua) and Ngāi Tai (Tainui).
Prior to joining NZIST he was CE of Waikato Regional Council, working to unlock the region’s growth potential while looking after its environment and people well. He has helped lead national system improvements in planning and freshwater management and is a steering group member of He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership. Vaughan has experience in the public and private sectors.
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