Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi chief executive Graham Smith says the institution is unlikely to reserve places for staff and students on its governing council if a shake-up of wananga and university governance goes ahead.
The Government has proposed reducing council membership from a maximum of 20 to between eight and 12, with four members appointed by the Government and the remainder selected as each institution sees fit.
Professor Smith says he is comfortable with the proposal, and if it goes ahead iwi will be included in the non-government places on Awanuiarangi's council, but staff and students will not.
He says he expects students and staff will have a voice in the council meeting but won't necessarily be on the council.
Professor Smith says Awanuiarangi's council needs to reflect its responsibilities to its founding iwi, Ngati Awa, and to other iwi.
