Ki te kāpuia inā tō tātou kaha
Together, we are stronger
Te Pūkenga is a place where we will learn and achieve together. A place that helps our learners, communities and workforces grow and thrive for the future.
Regional focus, national network.
Our career-focused learning network will support learners, employers and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. As one national network, Te Pūkenga will provide access to more courses, locations and more flexible ways of learning – on-job, on-campus and online.

Learning that fits with your life

Skills that will make a better workforce

Learning that fits your future
Stronger network, greater options
New Zealand's career-focused learning network is becoming Te Pūkenga
Come together as one to become Te Pūkenga — The New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Have a question?
The Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) aims to create a strong, unified vocational education and training system that is fit for the future of work and delivers the skills that learners, employers, and communities need to thrive.
It includes seven key changes, one of which is the creation of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.
The new system puts learners back at the centre and it will have a stronger focus on employers: delivering the skills they need, providing more support for those in work-based training, and ensuring greater consistency in vocational learning across the country.
Learners will receive more support while they are training, and their knowledge and skills will be more relevant to what industry needs. They will be able to move more easily between regions and between on-the-job, on campus, and online training.
The changes reflect the Government’s commitment to Māori-Crown partnership.
Learners will still be able to complete their qualifications through their chosen provider, and the provider’s name on qualifications will stay the same. They will be able to enrol in another course, including courses that last for more than one year.
Support services will stay the same, fees will stay the same and learners’ relationships with organisations such as StudyLink will stay the same.
As the changes are introduced, learners will have more access to high-quality learning in the workplace as well as on campus, as well as:
- it will become easier to move between learning in the workplace, on campus and online.
- it will also be easier to transfer to another part of New Zealand to learn, without it affecting the qualifications learners are training for.
- industries will be more involved in setting the standards for what learners study, to make sure they gain the relevant skills that employers want.
- there will also be more support to help learners achieve their goals.
- people living in remote parts of New Zealand will have more opportunities to learn online.
The Reform of Vocational Education aims to help employers hire people who are well-trained and ready for work – and to get people into work more quickly.
Under the changes, apprenticeships and on-the-job training will continue to be a priority. They will not be replaced by on campus learning.
Industry and employees will have greater influence over the courses and training offered, to ensure learners gain the right skills for the right jobs.
Six industry-governed Workplace Development Councils (WDCs) have been created to give industry a strong leadership role in vocational education and training.
The councils’ responsibilities will include giving investment advice, identifying current and future skills needs, developing qualifications, and setting standards.
Regions will also be given more say in planning for the work skills they need.
The transition and integration of many different parts to a new cohesive system will be gradual and carefully managed.