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 legally established three new polytechnics – NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, and Whitireia and WelTec.
The government has legally established three new polytechnics – NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, and Whitireia and WelTec.
These polytechnics were established by Orders in Council on 1 October 2026 and will become operational on 1 January 2027.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic, on the West Coast, will transfer to the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand on 1 January 2027, ensuring continued access to vocational education and training for learners in the region.
This marks a major milestone in the redesign of New Zealand’s vocational education and training (VET) system and will complete the transition to a network of regionally led polytechnics.
Introducing the inaugural council members for the new polytechnics
Following legal establishment of the polytechnics, the members of the Establishment Advisory Groups have been appointed as the inaugural members of the councils for their respective polytechnics.
Each council brings together leaders selected for their strong regional connections and governance experience. Their appointment marks an important step in establishing the governance arrangements needed to support the successful launch and long-term sustainability of the new polytechnics. Additional council members will be appointed over time to complete the full governance arrangements for each polytechnic.
| Polytechnic | Council members |
| NorthTec | Graeme Kerr (Chair) Nicola Faithfull (Deputy Chair) Tim Robinson |
| Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) | Patrick Landrigan (Chair) Jonathan Young (Deputy Chair) Arun Chaudhari |
| Whitireia and WelTec Institute of Technology | Ross Browne (Chair) Janet Lane (Deputy Chair) Professor Dr Dr Jens Mueller |
The role of the councils
The initial council members will make decisions to enable the polytechnics to operate from 1 January 2027.
This includes:
- appointing a chief executive to lead the polytechnic from starting operation on 1 January 2027
- enabling staff to transfer from the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST)
- endorsing key policies required from 1 January 2027
- completing the governance and organisational processes and activities needed to begin operation.
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) continues to provide information, coordination and administrative support to the councils throughout the transition period.
For the rest of 2026, NZIST’s council continues to hold full responsibility for, and authority over, all aspects of the polytechnic business divisions. While the new councils have been legally established, the polytechnics will not operate independently of NZIST until 1 January 2027.