Staff at Open Polytechnic | Distance Study Specialists

Alan Cadwallader

Executive Director Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga

Alan Cadwallader has been leading Open Polytechnic as Executive Director since December 2022, both guiding the organisation as part of its integration into Te Pūkenga and now, more recently, overseeing a return to more autonomous operations in preparation for re-establishment as a standalone polytechnic in 2026.

With a career spanning over two decades in the vocational tertiary education sector, Alan brings deep expertise in learning delivery, academic leadership, and organisational change. He joined Open Polytechnic in 2015 and has held senior executive roles, including Executive Director Learning Delivery and Executive Director Faculty. Under his leadership, Open Polytechnic has advanced its strategy to become a fully digitally enabled provider of open and distance learning, delivering over 100 programmes to more than 40,000 ākonga (learners) annually.

Alan’s earlier roles include Academic Director at Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), where he oversaw academic quality, research, and Pasifika education, and senior academic and leadership positions at UCOL. His background also includes experience in the private sector across logistics, export horticulture, and hospitality, bringing a strong business acumen to his educational leadership.

He holds a Master of Management from Massey University and an MBA from the University of Otago, alongside qualifications in adult teaching and management. Alan is a long-standing contributor to the wider tertiary education sector, having served on numerous academic boards, advisory groups, and national working groups, including the Academic Committee of Open Polytechnic and the Workforce Development Council Design Group.

A culturally competent and collaborative leader, Alan is committed to inclusive, learner-centred education. He is known for his strategic thinking, relationship-building, and passion for innovation in vocational learning. Based in Wellington, Alan continues to champion the role of open and flexible education in supporting learners across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Alex MacCreadie

Executive Director Digital

Alex joined Open Polytechnic in January 2017 as Executive Director School Strategy where he worked with schools to leverage Open Polytechnic expertise and technology to pioneer approaches in using analytics as a teaching and planning tool, as well as blended and flipped learning pedagogies.

In 2025 he took up the role of Executive Director Digital, a directorate which is responsible for supporting learners and staff with their digital requirements to ensure they benefit from a world class online distance learning experience.

The Digital directorate at Open Polytechnic includes the Platforms team which has a remit of providing technical solutions and keeping oversight of the digital infrastructure; the Enterprise Projects team which builds and maintains Open Polytechnic specific software and functions; the iQualify team which is responsible for Open Polytechnic’s own specialist Learning Management System; and the Architecture team which designs how the organisation’s digital ecosystem functions and interacts between systems.

Prior to joining Open Polytechnic, Alex previously held the role of principal of Catlins Area School. He has also held several senior teaching roles in Auckland and Nelson and taught a number of subjects at both primary and secondary levels.

Alex is a past president of the New Zealand Area School Association and has also sat on a number of Ministry of Education advisory panels. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from the University of Otago, as well as a Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Otago College of Education.

Andrew McCulloch

Acting Executive Director of Learning Delivery

Andrew is a senior educator and accomplished leader, with more than 15 years’ experience in vocational education and training.

He joined the Open Polytechnic in January 2021 as Manager Learning and Teaching and was appointed to the Acting Executive Director of Learning Delivery role in January 2023.

With a proven track record of delivering innovative and effective learning solutions for diverse communities of ākonga, he is dedicated to providing equitable access to education for historically under-served communities. Andrew believes that distance education has the potential to close the opportunity gap and provide collective resilience across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Andrew holds a Master of Science in Ecological Statistics and a Post Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management from the University of Otago. Prior to joining the Open Polytechnic, he worked as an independent consultant across Aotearoa New Zealand, leading and supporting education projects in partnership with secondary and tertiary providers, iwi groups, ITOs, and industry/employer groups.

Andrew is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation and is committed to ensuring that the programmes offered by Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga are world class and accessible to all.

Doug Standring

Executive Director Marketing and Communications

Doug Standring is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most experienced open and distance learning (ODL) professionals. Along with marketing and communications, his specialist expertise includes the international ODL environment, and distance learning strategy, management and business models. Doug’s 30-year career in tertiary education in Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom spans strategic planning, brand, digital and search marketing, corporate communications, business development and partnerships, product and service innovation, learner journey design, and transnational education. He has also conducted consultancy work for the Commonwealth of Learning.

Doug’s previous roles include managing media and communications at the London School of Economics and Massey University. Along with graduate study in marketing, Doug holds a Master of Arts (First Class) from Massey University and a Graduate Diploma in International Relations (Distinction) from the London School of Economics.

Jody Siegel

Manager, People, Culture & Wellbeing

Jody has led the People, Culture & Wellbeing team at Open Polytechnic since 2022 and is a member of the organisation’s senior leadership team. She has worked in a variety of human resources and management roles for over 20 years in both the public and private sector.

An effective communicator, Jody is pragmatic and solutions focused and has been a trusted member of senior leadership teams prior to joining Open Polytechnic, including in her most recent roles with the Hutt City Council, TAB, and New Zealand Police.

Throughout her career Jody has gained expertise in a wide variety of specialist areas including employment relations, change management, leadership development, recruitment and staff engagement.

Her role with Open Polytechnic involves leading the team of generalist People, Culture & Wellbeing business partners and advisors, and the payroll function.

Jody holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and a Certificate in Rehabilitation Studies from Massey University.

Leise Cochrane

Acting Executive Director Strategy

Appointed Acting Executive Director of Strategy in August 2025, Leise brings a deep commitment to using data and insights to drive continuous improvement across Open Polytechnic. Her focus is on ensuring that learner outcomes and experiences are consistently elevated through evidence-based decision-making.

Leise joined Open Polytechnic in 2018 as a Research Analyst in the Strategic Insights Team, progressing to Lead Analyst in 2020. She has been instrumental in shaping the organisation’s approach to business intelligence, monitoring the progress of the organisation’s Transformation Change programme, and leading research into learner success and experience.

In 2021, Leise was seconded to Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, where she served as a Business Analyst and Manager of the Learner Insights and Evaluation team. During this time, she led the development of combined datasets for the vocational education sector, including the development of a sector-wide data model for learner attrition and retention. This work strengthened her understanding of learner analytics across the sector and contributed to national capability-building.

Returning to Open Polytechnic in 2022, Leise took on the role of Manager, Strategic Insights Team, where she continued to champion data-informed strategy and innovation.

Leise holds a Master of Science in Physical Geography and Environmental Science, first class honours, from Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. Her earlier career includes research roles at GNS Science, where she contributed to projects on environmental change and human impact, and tutoring in Research Design at Victoria University. She also holds a Certificate in Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School and is trained in Change Management.

Mark Nichols

Executive Director Learning Design and Development

Mark joined the Open Polytechnic executive team in 2010, then served for 3 years as Director, Technology Enhanced Learning, with The Open University in the United Kingdom, before returning to New Zealand at the start of 2019.

Mark has a strong background in open, distance and digital education, based on an MA in Open and Distance Education (Distinction) from The Open University and a PhD from the University of Otago in the area of spiritual formation in online education. He was recognised as a flexible learning leader in New Zealand in 2005, and has previously been president of the Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand and a member of the executive committees of Ascilite and the European Distance Education Network. He is currently a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education executive committee and is on the editorial board of several journals.

Mark’s ongoing research in the area of open, flexible and distance learning most recently included a book, Transforming Universities with Digital Distance Education, published by Routledge in 2020. He also hosts the international podcast Leaders & Legends of Online Learning, which features interviews with the world’s leading theorists and practitioners in the open, distance and flexible education field.

Mary Byrne

Head of Finance

Mary is a member of the senior leadership team at Open Polytechnic and has over 25 years’ experience in finance and management, including a decade spent working in the education sector at a variety of vocational education organisations.

Prior to joining Open Polytechnic in 2024, Mary was the Chief Financial Officer at Primary ITO where she provided leadership of the finance, facilities and business operations teams. During her time at Primary ITO, Mary worked closely with the CEO and the wider senior leadership team to provide advice, strategy, critical thinking and leadership to improve the financial performance of the organisation.

She has also held roles at Wellington Institute of Technology as Financial Controller and has also worked as a Financial Country Controller for a large commercial multi-national company.

A pragmatic finance leader who motivates her team to operate effectively for the organisation, Mary has track record of working collaboratively with leaders to ensure there is a sharp focus on financial leadership throughout the organisations she has worked for.

Mary is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Accountancy & Commercial Law) from Victoria University of Wellington.

Neil Carroll

Executive Director Academic Services and Deputy Chief Executive

Prior to joining Open Polytechnic in February 2010, Neil was Deputy CEO Academic Services and Policy at WelTec. He has also held senior roles at the Central Institute of Technology, NZQA, Agriculture ITO and the Association of Polytechnics in New Zealand.

Neil has a comprehensive understanding of the financial, human resource management and academic quality needs of a large polytechnic, having held senior management roles throughout the changes in the tertiary sector over the last 30 years. A Woolf Fisher Scholar in 2005, Neil holds both a BSc (Hons, First Class) and an MSc in biochemistry.

Rebekah Tuileto'a

Pule Ma’ata - Pasifika

Malo lava le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama.

Born in Wellington, Rebekah Tuileto’a is Samoan with her father hailing from Vavau, Aleipata in Upolu, and her mother from Foaluga in Savaii.

Holding a Masters in Social Work from Victoria University of Wellington, Rebekah has 20 years’ experience in the tertiary education sector.

Before joining Open Polytechnic, she held a variety of roles at Massey University in Palmerston North including as Academic Advisor, Pasifika Consultant; Acting Director - Student Learning Centre; and Deputy Director - Student Learning Development Services. During her time at Massey University she developed expertise in distance education, leadership, and online support services as well as taking on some teaching responsibilities.

Initially joining Open Polytechnic in 2016 as Pasifika Advocate and later as the Principal Advisor Pasifika in 2019. In 2021 Rebekah was appointed as Pule Ma’ata – Pasifika and joined the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Her role involves managing the Pasifika Office, including providing leadership and ongoing advice to ELT and senior managers on issues pertaining to Pasifika; and oversight of the development of programmes and initiatives that meet the strategic objectives of the Open Polytechnic 'Afa Pasifika Strategy.

Enjoying her new role, Rebekah says she is passionate about how online learning and the associated technology can best serve our Pasifika community.

Thomas Tawhiri

Kaiwhakahaere Matua

Mai i ngā Kuri a Whārei ki Tihirau, koia te tapu o Muriwai e. Ka rongo ana te tangata ki tēnei kōrero, ka mōhio he uri nō Muriwai o Mataatua. He uri anō a Tūtāmure nō Te Whakatōhea.

Thomas Tawhiri (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa ki Wharepuhunga, Ngaitai Tōrere) joined Open Polytechnic’s Executive team as Kaiwhakahaere Matua in March 2025.

He has a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and cultural and capability in development within government, education and social services sectors.

Thomas has previously worked in several educational contexts, including Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, NZQA and the Ministry of Education.

Prior to joining Open Polytechnic Kuratini Tuwhera, he was a member of the senior leadership team of Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa and has also held the role of Pouwhakahere Kaupapa Māori at NZ Customs (Māori strategy lead).

Thomas holds diploma and bachelor's degree qualifications in teaching, a postgraduate diploma in Te Reo Māori and a Master of Indigenous Studies.

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