Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Union critical of Destiny Church plan for university

Updated at 3:17 pm on 10 January 2012

The Tertiary Education Union is criticising a plan by Destiny Church to establish its own university, saying it could lead to an influx of so-called mock universities.

The church announced plans on New Year's Day to build schools, an auditorium and a university on about 10 acres of land in South Auckland.

A union spokesperson says it is worried a Destiny Church university would muddy New Zealand's reputation as a top tertiary provider.

However, Stephen Day believes it is highly unlikely that the church would be able to establish a university under the Education Act's strict criteria.

Mr Day says it is possible the church could set up a private training institute with links to an overseas university instead.

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