Future of the remaining polytechnic divisions from the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Future of the remaining polytechnic divisions from the 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.