Welcome to Te Pūkenga

He akoranga whaihua

Learn with purpose

Learn without limitations

Te Pūkenga helps you learn in a way that suits your life — on-job, on-campus and online.

Stronger network, greater options

New Zealand’s career-focused learning network is becoming Te Pūkenga

16
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics
9
Industry Training Organisations

Come together as one to become Te Pūkenga — 
New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology

Learn more about the change

Our vision for the future

As Te Pūkenga grows and develops our vision for learners and Aotearoa will be realised, as we encourage people to prepare themselves with a skillset that will help us all to shape the future.

  1. Applied and hands-on

    Te Pūkenga learners spend time in a real-world work environment, putting theory into practice and developing industry-specific knowledge.

  2. Focused on a full-spectrum workforce

    We offer career-focused education and training to learners of all abilities, across all industries in Aotearoa.

  3. Flexible and built for lifelong learning

    We're innovating the way credentials are delivered and at what speed, for the benefits of both learners and industry.

  4. Industry-driven and responsive to demand

    Our well-developed institution-to-industry pipeline support smooth labour market transitions for Te Pūkenga graduates.

Have a question?

What is the Reform of Vocational Education?

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.

How will the changes affect ākonga (learners) now?

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. 

How will the changes affect ākonga in the future?

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. 
How will the changes affect employers in the future?

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.