Described as “a strong and inspirational leader” of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), Tony Gray’s 37-year career in education has been acknowledged in the New Year’s Honours when he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to education.
“I was so surprised and the immediate reaction is ‘why’,” he says. “You only ever think of other people getting these awards, but when it happens to you, it’s pretty humbling.”
However, Tony says that the key to his success has been the incredibly capable colleagues he’s had around him.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get something, but I wouldn’t have without the support of all my colleagues and friends.”
Despite his successes in education, his first job was farming. Describing himself as “not good at school”, his parents weren’t happy when he left to work on a farm. Nonetheless, his father’s advice was to ‘do the best you can do’, and that advice has stuck with him throughout his life.
However, it didn’t take long for the farm owner to recognise Tony’s potential, and he advised him to go to college.
He studied agriculture and animal science part-time while working on the farm. Then, after undertaking post graduate teaching qualifications, his first role was a lecturer in farm animal husbandry, animal science and farm management.
“Most people I was lecturing were older than me,” he recalls.
From there he moved into student services, then a vice principal role, before becoming a chief executive overseeing the merger of two large educational institutes.
Having been awarded a scholarship to travel to New Zealand while he was studying, he says that he “fell in love”, so when the opportunity came along to head up the International Hotel Management School in New Plymouth, Tony and the family jumped at the chance.
“I did if for four years, based in New Plymouth, but travelled all over the world.”
In 2006 he was successful in getting the Chief Executive role at NMIT. Under his leadership, NMIT developed into the prime educator for regional industries that include aquaculture, viticulture, aviation and maritime training.
“I never really thought about how long I’d stay there, but I loved NMIT,” he says. “There were so many opportunities to do things and the capability and skills of the colleagues around me was fantastic.”
After transforming NMIT into one of the best performing educational institutes in the country, Tony took up a new challenge, Chief Executive of Ara Institute of Canterbury.
“I’d always wanted to have another go at a big organisation.” During his four years he there he led the establishment of Te Ohaka, the Centre for Growth and Innovation and the Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct, a collaboration with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Ngāi Tahu.
With the merger of the country’s polytechnics, Tony found a fresh opportunity to add value, shifting back to Nelson in 2021 to take up the role of chief executive of the Nelson Tasman Hospice.
“They do amazing work and to be part of something like that, is a real privilege.” Not quite two years into the role, Tony says that he is really enjoying it, and is “keen to ensure it has a sustainable future.”
By Judene Edgar
