Conversations that mattered : A decade of reforms of New Zealand tertiary institutions

Abstract

This article considers conversations that mattered to promote deep learning and rich understandings of proposed changes during the reforms of New Zealand tertiary institutions in the decade 1990-2000. It is based on research that was carried out in the context of rapid expansion and changes in the education sector and addressed two research questions that considered the management of institutional changes and educational leadership. The research illustrated the deep learning and rich understandings of the change processes by the respondents and the way the organisational cultures had responded in bridging understanding between the more effective educational leaders and their staff Some consideration is also given to theoretical developments and recent developments in the New Zealand tertiary education sector so as to bring the original findings into relevance a decade after they were developed.