Source: Open Polytechnic
On 3 February a Pōwhiri was held at Open Polytechnic’s Lower Hutt campus to formally welcome new Chief Executive Sharon Cooke as the organisation returns to standalone governance.
The Pōwhiri was led by local Ahi Kaa (Mana Whenua) and Open Polytechnic’s Kaiwhakahaere Matua, Executive and Senior Leadership team. Also formally welcomed at the Pōwhiri were Ministerial appointed Council members, Darren Linton; Chair, Dr Neil Barns; Deputy Chair, and Maea Puriri-Pivac (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngātiwai, Ngāti Hine).
Ms Cooke joins the Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of open online and distance learning, at a significant time as the organisation celebrates its 80th Anniversary year.
Previously Chief Executive at Airways International Ltd, she brings over 20 years executive leadership experience across aviation, technology, and higher education, with a focus on strategic growth, digital transformation, and improving customer and learner outcomes.
During her first day on campus, Ms Cooke took the opportunity to meet with the Open Polytechnic’s wider leadership team, and host an all kaimahi (staff) hui to introduce herself and hear what was top mind for kaimahi as the organisation begins its standalone journey and as an anchor polytechnic in the Federation under the Government’s redesign of vocational education.
“The Open Polytechnic has a long and successful history of delivering vocational education throughout all of Aotearoa New Zealand. There are great opportunities ahead of us to build on that legacy,” says Ms Cooke.
Council Chair Darren Linton says, ” On behalf of the council and Open Polytechnic NZ I would like to warmly welcome Sharon to the organisation. We are privileged to have Sharon’s extensive leadership experience from the public and private sector, and I look forward to working with her.”
The recruitment to fill the remaining three Council roles in the six-member Council will be carried out later this year.
About Open Polytechnic
Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of open and distance learning, enrolling around 40,000 mainly part-time learners per year. The majority of learners are adults, combining work and study.
LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/05/education-appointments-open-polytechnic-welcomes-new-chief-executive-and-council-members/