Meeting the challenges ahead

Buddle Findlay has assisted tertiary education providers implement, influence and comply with changes in legislation and policy.  We regularly advise organisations across the sector, from providers to regulators.  We assisted the Ministry of Education in the formulation of policy proposals and preparation of draft legislation for the reform of the tertiary education sector that resulted ultimately in the changes in 2002.  We are uniquely placed to assist the sector rise to the challenges ahead, as the National-led government targets further reform.  

Clients and services

Buddle Findlay’s education team provides constitutional, operational and strategic advice to a range of education providers (particularly tertiary education organisations) and suppliers including:

  • Universities, including Massey University
  • Polytechnics, such as UNITEC, Manukau Institute of Technology, Universal College of Learning, Eastern Institute of Technology and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
  • Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi
  • New Zealand Childcare Association
  • New Zealand Teachers Council
  • Learning Media
  • Private tertiary education providers and education providers for overseas students
  • Schools and pre-schools

Recent work

  • Advising tertiary institutions on their constitutional and regulatory responsibilities under the Education Act 1989, State Sector Act 1988 and related legislation
  • Advising senior management, councils and council committees of tertiary institutions on their respective powers and functions, meeting procedures and conflicts of interest
  • Negotiating and drafting provider agreements between tertiary institutions, private tertiary education providers and community educators
  • Assisting institutions in protecting new products and concepts, and in obtaining commercial value from those products and concepts
  • Representing institutions in judicial review and other court proceedings involving students and other parties
  • Advising on various issues relating to tertiary students, including enrolment, exclusion, membership of student associations and funding
  • Advising regulatory bodies on professional misconduct issues and the establishment and implementation of their rules
  • Advising on the retention and disclosure of information held by institutions (including official, personal and commercially sensitive information)
  • Providing legal and strategic advice to providers on restructuring, grievances, interaction with staff and unions, and the negotiation of collective employment agreements, including advice to the university bargaining team in MECA negotiations, and to providers on their interaction with the State Services Commission
  • Advising on issues relating to the merger of institutions
  • Advising Boards of Trustees and Principals on staff disciplinary issues
  • Advising Principals on the suspension, stand-down and expulsion of secondary school students
  • Providing training annually to Assistant and Deputy Principals on their legal obligations to staff and students