The boss of the country's mega polytech has clarified Te Pukenga must uphold academic freedom

An earlier update shared Public Service Commission guidance, telling staff they're public servants and must be politically neutral ahead of the election.

In an email to staff obtained by Newstalk ZB, Peter Winder says Te Pukenga's charter sets out what it must deliver in legislation.

He says the Education Minister sets expectations and it has obligations to the Tertiary Education Commission through funding, meaning it doesn't have institutional autonomy.

Winder says it presents a fine balance - and the guidance states the organisation is expected to observe the guidelines.