As the Education (Vocational Education and Training) Amendment Act 2020 takes effect, New Zealand’s existing 16 Institutes of Technology & Polytechnics (ITPs) are brought together into one organisation to form a sustainable, national network of regionally accessible vocational education and training.

The Te Pūkenga is one of seven key changes in the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) which is reimagining vocational learning in New Zealand, and will provide on campus, on-the-job, and online vocational learning and training right across the country.

In recent weeks, the regional ITP subsidiary boards and the governing Council for the Institute were announced, with the name and location still to be decided. “We ran an online consultation process on the Board’s preferred name from 14 February to 9 March. Having considered the feedback gathered through that process, along with stakeholder meetings held from 30 January to 14 February, the Board decided that it needed more time to consider and reflect on some of the issues raised,” Te Pūkenga Establishment Board Chair Barry Jordan explains.

“With the arrival of COVID-19, it is likely this will remain the working name for a slightly longer period while we appropriately turn our attention to supporting the efforts to unite against this virus and eliminate it.

“The process for determining a location for the headquarters of the Te Pūkenga is also on hold while New Zealand is at Alert Level 4.”

As progress across the wider RoVE programme continues at a pace that is guided by stakeholders, TEC Chief Executive Tim Fowler says the Te Pūkenga’s official establishment is testament to the dedication and cooperation of all stakeholders, agencies and staff involved.

“Standing up the new national Institute represents a significant piece of the RoVE work and we recognise the tenacity and commitment of the NZIST Establishment Unit and wider RoVE programme in getting this done.

“As always, we thank our stakeholders and staff for the enormous amount of innovation, inspiration and dedication you continue to invest in RoVE. The spirit of the reform has always been about collaboration and now, more than ever, this is so important.”

To find out more about the different parts of the RoVE programme, keep an eye on the RoVE website. You can also check out the new NZIST website to keep up to date with the new organisation.

For more information about NZIST Council meetings, which are open to the public, see the schedule. The NZIST Council met this morning for the first time via Zoom Conference, marking the official establishment of the new Institute.