Comments on: Maharey to retire

By: Paul W

Paul W — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:05:47 +0000

Michael Wynd, more often than not the selection process for appointments at this level involve a degree of confidentiality. It is not ideal, but to get a good short list you often have to provide some candidates with an assurance that their names won’t be public. On your other point, the traditional VC is a senior academic but more and more Universities are selecting people from outside the academy in recognition of the expertise they bring – the current Oxford VC and former Auckland VC, John Hood, is primarily known as a captain of industry not an academic (although he does have a doctorate)

Hinamanu, what’s hypocritical about the appointments? Statements are not arguments and your’s are just odd.

By: Peak Oil Conspiracy

Peak Oil Conspiracy — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 07:28:08 +0000

Interesting quote from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10471080

Mr Maharey yesterday said the role at Massey, where he has studied and taught, was a “dream job” and his retirement was not a reflection on Labour’s prospects at next year’s election.

This reference to a “dream job” brings to mind Phillip John/Roger Nome’s stated desire to be a “highly-paid academic”.

[Warning: those offended by Palmerston North jokes - do not read any further]

But to be fair to Maharey – what other prospects does he have outside Palmerston North? Remember the John Clease episode over the “suicide capital” – and how the local council rated Massey as one of the top tourist attractions?

By: hinamanu

hinamanu — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:55:20 +0000

Maharey at Massey,, Bolger at Waikato

what is it with these politicians and academic institutions they have no business standing along side professors let alone being Deans.

Gross, gross, gross hypocrisy.

By: Lee C

Lee C — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:49:22 +0000

He’s running away.

By: PhilBest

PhilBest — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:22:14 +0000

Ten to one there’s a whole lot of skeletons in closets to come out one day regarding the Clark government and people like Maharey know it.

Funny how the “protest generation” condemned “the establishment” for perceived hypocrisy in their day, but no-one does hypocrisy, corruption and cover-ups like the liberal generation once THEY become “the establishment”.

By: Michael Wynd

Michael Wynd — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:48:04 +0000

As a student at Massey and a former President of one of the student associations, this is the worse thing that the Massey Council has done. We were told that he was not even on the short list a few weeks ago. I find it interesting that this time around, the short-listed candidates were not advised to staff and student executives – no doubt the Council fear the reaction. Quite simply, Maharey’s dream job is going to be Massey’s nightmare.

Based on the criteria that was circulated, he does not even meet the basic tenets that he have a PhD and research background along with some managerial experience. I have an idea that he will prove to be a worse Vice-Chancellor than the present incumbent. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with him next year.

As others have mentioned, I remained bemused that Massey has provided a safe harbour for a smarmy rat leaving Labour’s sinking ship.

By: morris

morris — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:45:18 +0000

Nominal says:

Krazy Kiwi, don’t feel bad. There is a typo in the first para of the Herald story too…

Off thread topic but I have noticed there are often typos in the herald and stuff.co.nz. It really is pretty pathetic & makes NZ look like a bunch of half-wits. Bring back the sub-editors…

News publications are not blogs.

By: SPC

SPC — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:09:28 +0000

If we are to discuss available talent pools for cabinet between various political parties – then could someone explain Chester Burrows (National spokesperson on police) and his failure to understand that police sponsorship of a schools rugby competition (out of their recruitment/marketing budget) is not money being taken away from more “worthy” youth aid/projects etc (a separate budget actually).

And does he simply not realise the importance in promoting recruitment to maintain standards and fill available positions (policy of increasing police numbers in a tight labour market)? If not, why not?

By: Monty

Monty — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:41:59 +0000

To Quote the Smarm himself “fuck you” and now I say “Fuck off” – I am pleased to see the arse end of this prick and look forward to many more socialists following him.
I do feel sorry for the students of my old university, but rejoice that the puddle of labour’s so called “talent has just got a little shallower.

By: Paul W

Paul W — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:25:27 +0000

Manolo, what complete bollocks. I worked with Steve prior to him becoming Minister as well as since. He’s generally got the view that the private providers should complement public provision but that some competitive tension is beneficial (particularly in the higher education sector).

He cut UTTA on becoming Minister, but then many would argue with good cause that UTTA was actually wasting resources.

By: PaulL

PaulL — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:24:12 +0000

PS: short election campaign because, irrespective of EFB and everything else, tradition is to shut-down govt advertising during the campaign proper. Any incumbent govt would be insane to do that, this govt will be relying on govt advertising more than previous ones.

By: PaulL

PaulL — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:23:18 +0000

horis, it sounds to me like they have to announce the election date for that to work. And that shifts govt into caretaker mode and starts the election campaign. I’d pick a temp for 3-4 months, then a short election campaign.

By: Manolo

Manolo — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:57:21 +0000

Maharey is an academic with strong anti private enterprise views. He’s been proven dogmatic and unable to grasp comercial realities (ergo, his opposition to private funding of school buildings).

I’d say: good riddance (and do not ever come back).

By: Lindsay Addie

Lindsay Addie — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:35:07 +0000

There have been rumour’s about Maharey’s future for a while now. Now I disagree with this guy’s politics very strongly but I would hazard a guess the death of his wife a year or two back has caused him to look at his political ambitions. Anyway I wish him all the best.

By: horisthebear

horisthebear — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:09:35 +0000

Oh and with Maharray giving 6 months notice, post 31 March this date of 14 Oct works a charm with a temp in for only a couple of weeks. So I think E day is about 358 days away.

By: horisthebear

horisthebear — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:08:04 +0000

The election won’t be as late as mid November. 16th is canterbury anniversary weekend (yes I live in the 03s…) a whole lot of labour voters won’t be around, two weeks before that is Marlboroughs, two weeks before that is labour weekend, the week before that is the 14th October, the first weekend of daylight saving for 2008. There is my bet. Then labour can try and get a result for Labour weekend…how ironic.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:05:46 +0000

The Slick Underachiever on Stuff.

Also, my guess is that he will stay on as an MP until mid-way through the year, and then take up the VC’s role. Massey will have an Acting-VC in the meantime, for two or three months. So I don’t thnk there need be any scare-mongering about double dipping.

I DON’T have any insider knowledge on this. It’s just fairly common to have an acting VC for a few months as one person resigns and another one takes over.

By: baxter

baxter — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:05:34 +0000

How come no erudite insight from Sam Dixon on this thread?

By: Reg

Reg — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:41:40 +0000

The Government should test support for the EFB by running a By Election in Palmerston North!

By: krazykiwi

krazykiwi — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:23:22 +0000

Mallard?!? … so many duck jokes, so little time