Govt returning vocational education, training decisions to regions

3rd February 2025 By Staff Reporter | news@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker

The government says it will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning.

“The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that are financially sustainable,” Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds said.

The government has agreed to amend the Education and Training Act 2020 to disestablish Te Pūkenga and allow institutes of technology and polytechnics to be established as standalone autonomous entities or as part of a federation.

Simmonds said she wanted implementation of the new system to start this year, with the first standalone polytechnics in place on 1 January 2026.