New era of local leadership at Wintec

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

A new Chief Executive and governance board has been appointed at Wintec as it embarks on an exciting new chapter. With its reinstatement as its own independent entity as part of the process of the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga, Wintec is now preparing to lead the way in vocational training with a bold new strategy and a new era of locally anchored leadership.

Warwick Pitts has been appointed to the Chief Executive position and brings more than two decades of leadership experience across both Wintec and Te Pūkenga. Over the last year, he has been Wintec’s Operations Lead, mapping a sustainable pathway for the organisation to become a stand-alone institution from 2026. His experience also includes his roles as Executive Director, for both Products and Planning, and also Oritetanga and Learner Success, with a wide portfolio of responsibilities.

“I’m excited to be appointed to this role, and recognise it’s a privilege to hold this position,” said Warwick. “We live in a unique and diverse region and understand the opportunity we have to help shape futures and empower communities through relevant, resilient, culturally aligned programmes. Everything we do needs to ensure we create a pathway to a successful outcome, enabling our learners to get ahead in life.”

Newly appointed Wintec Chief Executive, Warwick Pitts and Council Chair, Sheree Ryan

A new governance board has also been appointed to support the leadership and help drive the strategy. The Chair is Sheree Ryan, a highly experienced and respected governor with a background in corporate and investment strategy, finance and risk. Sheree has been part of the establishment committee that has been advising the government on Wintec’s new constitution. The other board members are Sarah Morton-Johnson, Ken Williamson and Edgar Wilson.

“Warwick brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in the education sector, making him the ideal candidate to guide Wintec in this important new chapter. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to build on our legacy of excellence,” said Sheree.

“As an independent entity, we are positioned to leverage our strengths and resources more effectively, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of technological advancement and educational innovation. We’re all very excited about what the future holds for our Polytech.”

“I want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our staff, who work tirelessly to support our learners and communities,” said Warwick. “As we look ahead, we have a powerful opportunity to deepen our service to the Waikato, honouring our partnerships with iwi, working closely with industry, and ensuring our learners are connected to the world, while firmly grounded in the place we’re proud to call home. Together we will ensure our learners thrive and Wintec continues to make a meaningful and positive impact for this region.”