Achieved to Date
Each of the stage one objectives has been achieved, in particular:
Project plan
As a first step, we developed the project plan - click here for details. It will be refined as the project proceeds.
Initial seed-funding
Funds to enable the completion of stage one were obtained from:
| Source | In Cash | In Kind | Total |
| Keystroke Ltd (the consultancy company of the project’s initial promoters, John Hilhorst + Cath Gilmour) | 140,000 | ||
| A.E. Baldwin NZ Ltd (the consultancy company of the trust’s chairman, Tony Baldwin) | 37,000 | ||
| Chapman Tripp (the trust’s solicitors) | 5,000 | ||
| Hugh Tennant Architects | 500 | ||
| Architects Patterson | 1,200 | ||
| Paterson Pitts Group | 1,000 | ||
| John Hilhorst & Cath Gilmour | 11,000 | ||
| Tony Baldwin | 4,000 | ||
| Total Seed Funding | 15,000 | 184,700 | 199,700 |
Formation of trust
The New Zealand United World College Trust has been formed, with the generous assistance of Chapman Tripp, the Trust’s solicitors. For details of the trust, click here.
Board of directors and advisory group
The trust has formed a talented board of directors to complete stage two. The board is assisted by an advisory group, which includes several prominent graduates from existing UWCs. For details of the key people involved, click here.
The composition of the board is likely to evolve as the project develops. Board membership will be reviewed at the start of each new stage to ensure the best possible match of skills and experiences for the objectives of the relevant stage.
Founder Patron
Our Founder Patron is the Rt Hon Jim Bolger, ONZ. Mr Bolger was Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 until 1997, and New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States between 1998 and 2002.
He is currently chairman of Kiwibank, NZ Post, the Gas Industry Company, Trustees Executors Limited, the World Agricultural Forum Advisory Board, and the NZ-US Business Council. Mr Bolger is also Chancellor of the University of Waikato, and chairman of the board of directors of the Ian Axford Fellowships in Public Policy.
Mr Bolger is a member of the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour in New Zealand.
Possible site
After an extensive search throughout New Zealand that included a detailed review of over 60 properties, the Trust has selected an outstanding site in the Wakatipu basin near Queenstown. Further details will be announced in the near future.
UWC International
Our project director has visited UWC International in London, and discussed our proposal with Keith Clark, executive director of UWC International. We have also hosted Dr Anthony Richards, a member of the UWC International board of directors, on two separate visits.
Dr Richards met with several stakeholders on each visit, and has reported back to UWC International on our plans and progress. We have received strong expressions of support from UWC International for our proposal, and desire to assist wherever possible.
While each UWC is autonomous and responsible for its own formation, funding, governance and operation, the UWC International board provides overall strategic coordination. New UWCs must be approved by UWC International, and in due course we will undertake a formal pre-accreditation process. Further information on UWC International, and its role in relation to each UWC, is outlined here.
Stakeholders and initial scoping
During stage one, we scoped a range of likely key issues with possible stakeholders.
Paradise Trust
The trust has developed a very positive relationship with the trustees of Paradise Trust, with whom we share a range of common values and ideals. This is a key partnership that we are keen to deepen as the project progresses. We will ensure that our approach is characterised by integrity, clarity and openness of communication, and a clear understanding by each other’s philosophy, needs and constraints.
NZ UWC Graduates and National Committee
The New Zealand UWC National Committee is strongly in support of the proposal. The National Committee chair Paddy Marra is an early trustee of NZ UWC Trust, and the national coordinator Lucy Telfar-Barnard is a member of the Advisory Group.
Martin Harvey, Cate Brett, Matthew Jansen and Lucy Telfar-Barnard represent alumni on the advisory group. Graduate meetings have been held in Wellington and Auckland and graduates are coordinating an information and fundraising programme.
Ministry of Education
In stage one, we established an effective working relationship with officials at the Ministry of Education. A delegation from the Ministry visited Queenstown to meet with trust representatives and other stakeholders, including the Mayor of Queenstown (Mr Clive Geddes) and Dr Anthony Richards from the UWC International board of directors.
Ministry officials have expressed their support for the project, and encouraged the trust to move forward in seeking to achieve its goals. Ministry officials have also provided written advice to the trust on how the proposed NZ UWC could be treated under relevant education legislation.
Secondary schools in the region
Our project director has met with the principal and deputy principal of the local Wakatipu High School and is scheduled to address the Otago / Southland principal’s association at their annual conference in September.
Other government parties
Trust representatives have briefed a range of other government or Parliamentary representatives on our proposed, including the:
- Minister of Conservation
- Minister for the Environment
- Chief executive of the Department of Conservation
- Deputy chief executive of the Ministry for the Environment
- Minister of Communication, Immigration and Information and Technology
- Members of Parliament for Otago and Tamaki
- Rob Eaddy, chief of staff for the leader of the United Future Party
- Peter Douglas, chief executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana
- Tim Gibson, chief executive to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
- Jane Leitch, manager scholarships unit of NZAID
- Robert Stevens, chief executive of Education New Zealand
- Dr Colin Webb, Deputy chief executive of the Tertiary Education Commission
- Greg Lind, area manager for the Department of Conservation
- Local Members of Parliament
Other Stakeholders
Trust representatives have briefed a range of other stakeholders, including:
- Mayor of Queenstown, who is extremely supportive of our proposal
- Stephen Cairns, chair of Otago Regional Council who is also very supportive
- Otago Forward, a representative board of the five Otago regions, who have voted in support of the proposal
- Queenstown Lakes District Council, who support the project
- Queenstown Resort College, who support the project and have provided sponsorship
- Queenstown Rotary, who support the proposal
- Jan Petite, director of project to establish a UWC in Maastricht, The Netherlands
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