Chipping in

According to the report, Lincoln was “dragged into merger discussions” by the education minister.

Hipkins told Newsroom he had concerns about Lincoln making little progress on implementing the recommendations of a 2017 advisory board report and faced a range of financial risks.

In the end, Hipkins pulled the plug on the merger plan in July this year, claiming the estimated cost ($124-$160 million) “far outweighed the benefits”.

The minister says disestablishing Lincoln is now off the agenda and a merger will not be needed -- “as long as Lincoln delivers on its potential”.

Watch this space.