Changes to the vocational education and training (VET) system

Te whakawhitiwhiti kōrero mō ngā huringa e marohitia ana ki te pūnaha mātauranga ahumahi me te whakangungu (VET)

Last updated 2 July 2025
Last updated 2 July 2025

In December 2023, the Government announced its intention to disestablish Te Pūkenga | New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and Workforce Development Councils (WDCs).

The Government plans to establish Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) to manage standards-setting and associated functions and will re-establish institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) as either stand-alone or federated entities.

In December 2024, the Government agreed to introduce legislation that would:

  • disestablish Te Pūkenga
  • enable the establishment of ITPs as either stand-alone or federated entities
  • establish ISBs to manage standards-setting and associated functions.

In 2025, Cabinet made decisions on:

  • the future model for work-based learning
  • the number and coverage of ISBs.

Details on which ITPs will be independently established from 1 January 2026 are yet to be finalised.

More information

New work-based learning model

Industry Skills Boards' coverage

Redesign of Vocational Education and Training System – Ministry of Education