History

Tertiary education in New Zealand has a long and proud history. In the 140 years since the establishment of our first university, the tertiary education sector has become a key contributor to the country’s social and economic well-being.

Public contributions through government funding have been essential to the development of tertiary education in New Zealand. Since 2003, this funding has been made available to the sector through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). 

Our establishment (under the Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Act 2002) on 1 January 2003 brought together the responsibilities and activities of a transition TEC, Skill New Zealand and Tertiary Resourcing from the Ministry of Education. The newly established TEC initiated new business activities to support and drive the tertiary reforms outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy (an archive of Cabinet papers relating to these reforms is available). 

The Prime Minister spoke at our launch and a Mihi tuwhera guided our early years. We also initiated new business activities to support and drive the tertiary reforms outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy (an archive of Cabinet papers relating to these reforms is available).