University continuing education in a neoliberal landscape: developments in England and Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of changing higher education policies and funding on university adult and continuing education in England and Aotearoa New Zealand. It discusses some of the contextual factors contributing to sustaining continuing education in New Zealand, against the tide of developments elsewhere, and in spite of its subjection to the influence of neoliberal policies since the 1980s: an ethos of public knowledge dissemination, acknowledgement of the universities' role as ‘critic and conscience’ of society, a broad commitment to educational equality and a strategic as well as pragmatic approach. The paper describes developments in one New Zealand continuing education department as it experiences institutional and political change. The author concludes that, in spite of demonstrating considerable resilience, the structures and activities of continuing education departments in New Zealand are as fragile as they have been in England. ‘Radical hope’ is advocated as the university‐based adult educator's response in difficult times. It involves challenging the assumptions of neoliberalism, and reaffirming the political nature of adult education.

Acknowledgements

The author is indebted to Liz Tully and Robert Tobias for information and constructive feedback provided in the course of writing this article and to Jenny Barclay, Susan Geertshuis, Brian Findsen and Claire Matthewson for additional background information on recent developments in university continuing education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Notes

1. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Government and a number of the chiefs of Māori tribes, established British governorship in Aotearoa New Zealand, whilst also recognising inter alia Māori rights to land and property ownership. Today, the Treaty is an important document which underpins the bicultural status of Aotearoa New Zealand and relationships between Māori and Pākehā (those of European settler heritage).