Whitireia names Arthur Graves as CEO

For immediate release 18 April 2008

Whitireia names Arthur Graves as its new Chief Operating Officer

Whitireia Community Polytechnic has appointed Arthur Graves, Principal of Greymouth High School, as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Arthur Graves takes over from Pat Stuart, who left Whitireia in March to take up the role of CEO of the Wellington Museum Trust.

Mr Graves' appointment was announced today (Friday April 18) by Whitireia Chief Executive Don Campbell.

"I'm delighted to advise the appointment of Arthur Graves who brings a wealth of education experience and expertise to Whitireia," Don Campbell says.

Mr Graves, 53, was chosen from a strong field of applicants and is expected to start at Whitireia in early July.

"Arthur brings strong knowledge in the secondary sector as well as excellent experience with tertiary and the interface between secondary and tertiary education. This interface will be an important strategic role over the next period of time and Arthur's knowledge and networks will be vitally important for Whitireia" Don Campbell says.

At Whitireia, Mr Graves takes a role in a polytechnic that has experienced rapid growth. It has more than 400 staff and 10,000 NZ and international students at campuses in Porirua, Kapiti, Wellington and Auckland.

Mr Graves has been Principal at Greymouth High School for some 12 years and has been responsible for significant developments of staff, financial systems, tertiary interface and new and upgraded buildings and this experience will be very useful in his new role.

Mr Graves says, "Whitireia is an excellent polytechnic with a great reputation, it is well connected to its community, has highly committed staff, and has also been very successful over the last several years. I'm really looking forward to working in the tertiary environment and particularly at Whitireia which is a special place.

I can see a strong synergy between my philosophy and purpose as an educator and the values and mission of Whitireia.

There are significant challenges for the ITP sector as a whole at present with a new funding system and financial challenges which will require careful guidance and leadership," he says.

Professionally I have developed a strong interest in the 'jagged edge', the interface between schools, tertiary providers and workplaces - developing relevant educational pathways and courses for young people so that there is a major increase in attaining qualifications and skilled employment, a focus on lifelong learning and a marked reduction in disengaged students."

Mr Graves is currently Chairperson of the New Zealand Secondary School Principal's Council, a ministerial appointment on the New Zealand Career Services Board, Chairperson of Education West Coast and a member of the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Council.

Originally from Dunedin, Mr Graves was in Christchurch for 20 years and has lived on the West Coast for almost twelve years. He is married with three adult children and one grandchild.

ENDS

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