History of the TEC

Tertiary education in New Zealand has a long and proud history. In the 140 years since the establishment of New Zealand’s 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 in the development of tertiary education in New Zealand.  Since 2003, this funding has been made available to the tertiary education sector through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua. 

The establishment of the TEC (under the Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Act 2002 No 50, Public Act) 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.  It was the first time that planning work for all tertiary education provision, funding and research were brought together under one umbrella.  A mihi to support the new TEC was developed.

In addition to carrying out these tasks in a new business structure, the TEC also initiated new business activities to support and drive the reforms outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy 2007-12.

Related information:

• Mihi tuwhera for the TEC.
• Governance of the TEC.
• The inaugural TEC Annual Report (for the six months ending 30 June 2003) and other annual reports.
• Speech by Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark by Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark at the launch of the TEC 13 February 2003.
• Archive of cabinet papers (March 2006 – September 2007) relating to the tertiary education reforms.