Leadership and governance workstream

Appropriate leadership and governance processes support the successful implementation and review of the Disability Action Plan. Workstream 5 ensures there is appropriate structure and scrutiny in place. This work will ensure workstream owners are accountable for their deliverables.

The Ihonuku Tōkeke | Pro Vice-Chancellor Equity is responsible for this workstream. These deliverables support the implementation and coordination of the entire Disability Action Plan (DAP). Status updates on the tasks and next steps are refreshed every six months. As of July 2023, four tasks have been completed. The remaining two tasks are on track and have been transitioned into business as usual.  

Please email all feedback and suggestions to Vicki Watson, Manager – Equity.

Honouring te Tiriti

  • Māori are partners in all stages of the DAP. Development, implementation, and governance decisions will reflect the principles of te Tiriti.
    Tracking and Status: Completed

Achievements to date:

  • Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori is a member of the University Equity Leadership Committee, which is the governing body for implementation of the Disability Action Plan.

Next steps:

  • Continue to work in partnership with Māori through the University Equity Leadership Committee and the DAP Reference Group, and identify further opportunities across the DAP to reflect the principles of te Tiriti.

Governance, engagement and reporting

  • Appropriate governance structures are in place. This work confirms roles and responsibilities to implement the DAP.
    Tracking and Status: Completed

  • Put reporting and monitoring procedures in place. These will reflect best practice from the national Kia Ōrite Toolkit
    Tracking: On track
    Status: Green, no issues identified
  • Engagement with students and staff with disabilities is central to implementation. A reference group of students and staff members with relevant experience will be established.
    Tracking and Status: Completed

  • Secure appropriate funding and resources for the DAP.
    Tracking: On track
    Status: Green, no issues identified
  • All workstream owners read and apply national best practice from the Kia Ōrite Toolkit
    Tracking and Status: Completed

Achievements to date:

  • Reporting templates and delivery timelines for effective monitoring and reporting of the DAP’s implementation have been developed and adopted by workstream owners. Templates reflect the Independent Panel feedback following submission of the University’s DAP to the Tertiary Education Commission. Since June 2023 Workstream reporting has been via an online process using Cascade. This allows workstream owners to report in real time and allows for deliverables to be hyperlinked to Kia Orite best practice.
  • Role description and business case prepared for a DAP Coordinator.
  • Bi annual reporting to the Disability Action Plan Reference Group by workstream owners is scheduled at the start of each calendar year. 
  • The Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Equity has appointed a 1.0 FTE Senior Research and Policy Advisor on a fixed term contract to February 2024. The role will support the implementation of the DAP.

Next Steps:

  • Workstream owners will report progress and discuss next steps with the DAP Reference Group in November 2023.
  • We will report on overall DAP progress for the year to the University Equity Leadership Committee in August 2023, and to the University Council in December 2023.
  • We will continue to advocate for additional resource to support workstream activities, including the appointment of a DAP coordinator.