New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST)
New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST)
NZIST (formerly known as Te Pūkenga) brought together 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics and 9 industry training organisations into one organisation.
NZIST (formerly known as Te Pūkenga) brought together 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics and 9 industry training organisations into one organisation.
In 2023, the Government committed to disestablish NZIST and restore regional decision-making for vocational education.
The first changes to NZIST occur in January 2026, with 11 polytechnic business divisions and 9 work-based learning divisions moving out of the centralised organisation.
Changes to the vocational education and training (VET) system
Four polytechnic business divisions (Weltec/Whitireia, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Northtec and Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki [WITT]) remain in the NZIST at the beginning of 2026. The government will make decisions about the next steps for these organisations in the first half of 2026.