A new director has been appointed for Otago Polytechnic’s central campus, which is split across locations in Cromwell in Wānaka.

Drawing on the local environment, the central campus offers programmes ranging from high country farming, horticulture, and electrical trades through to outdoor education, avalanche safety and snowsports.

John Christie, who will begin in his role on January 20, said he was excited to get started.

"I've really got an interest in making sure our young people have got good opportunities for training,” John said. 

“And not just young people, but anybody really that has got an interest in learning."

He is joining Otago Polytechnic after 10 years as manager of Enterprise Dunedin (the economic development team at Dunedin City Council), which followed 20 years as chief executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce.

The role means a move from Dunedin to Cromwell for John.

"The location's fantastic,” John said. “Cromwell and Wānaka are great campuses, and there's real opportunity there to get close to the community. 

“Especially in those areas where you can see the industry growth, like horticulture and agriculture areas."

"There's also your traditional trades like electrical, mechanical, and building which are much needed when you're seeing the growth in housing in this part of the country."

Members of the Otago Polytechnic senior leadership team will join John later this month at a community event which is aimed at helping future-proof the central campus.

"This is Central Otago's campus. I think it can be anything they want it to be,” John said. "I think the community have got a lot of the keys to what the success will look like for the two campuses, and we'll be looking for their support."

"So the first bit of this role will be listening to the local community and finding out where those needs are. And I'm confident if we're given the opportunity to deliver that, it'll be a very exciting place for people to study."

PHOTO: Supplied