Future of the remaining polytechnic divisions from the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Te anamata mō ngā wāhanga kuratini e toe ana i te New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
The government has agreed to establish another three polytechnics – NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology Taranaki and Whitireia/WelTec. Tai Poutini Polytechnic will be transferred to the Open Polytechnic.
The government has agreed to establish another three polytechnics – NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology Taranaki and Whitireia/WelTec. Tai Poutini Polytechnic will be transferred to the Open Polytechnic.
The three polytechnics will be established by Orders in Council later this year and will be operational on 1 January 2027. They will be stand-alone entities, and members of the Federation.
| Polytechnic | Region |
| NorthTec | Northland |
| Western Institute of Technology Taranaki (WITT) | Taranaki |
| Whitireia and WelTec (as a single entity) | Wellington |
Tai Poutini, on the West Coast, will transfer to the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand on 1 January 2027. Learners will continue to study and train in the same place with the same tutors.
This marks a major milestone in the redesign of New Zealand’s vocational education and training (VET) system. Establishing these final three stand-alone polytechnics, and transferring Tai Poutini to the Open Polytechnic, will complete the transition to a strong network of regionally led polytechnics.
This page will be updated with further details as establishment activities commence.