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Establishment of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics

In December 2024, the Government agreed to introduce legislation to disestablish Te Pūkenga and enable the establishment of institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs). The intent of this change is to restore regional decision-making for vocational education.

The Government has agreed (subject to the passing of legislation and the approval of Orders in Council) to establish 10 ITPs on 1 January 2026, either as stand-alone entities or as stand-alone within the federation:

Polytechnic	Region	Membership of federation
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand	National Online Learning	Anchor polytechnic of federation
Ara Institute of Technology	Canterbury	Stand-alone
Unitec/Manukau Institute of Technology	Auckland	Stand-alone single entity
Eastern Institute of Technology	Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti	Stand-alone
Toi Ohomai	Bay of Plenty	Stand-alone
Wintec	Waikato	Stand-alone
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology	Top of South Island	Stand-alone
Southern Institute of Technology	Southland, Queenstown	Stand-alone
Otago Polytechnic	Otago including Central Otago	Stand-alone within federation
Universal College of Learning	Manawatū, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Horowhenua	Stand-alone within federation

The government agreed in principle to establish Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology as a single entity.

Four other ITPs (NorthTec, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Whitireia/WelTec, and Tai Poutini Polytechnic) will remain with Te Pūkenga as they continue to find a pathway to viability. Decisions on the future of these polytechnics will be proposed during the first half of 2026.