The vocational education sector in Aotearoa is at a pivotal point in time. With the government’s decision to disestablish Te Pūkenga, the sector is awaiting the announcement confirming those that will be standalone entities and those that will potentially move into a federated model.
Recently, the minister for vocational education, Penny Simmonds, introduced her Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill into the House. This commenced a legislative process that will enable financially viable Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) to become independent entities.
Being a standalone entity would mean decision making is returned to regional ITPs. It would ensure that community connection and local responsiveness would be back with community providers.
At Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, we are readying ourselves for this shift with the intention to become a standalone entity. It aligns with our belief that the best outcomes for learners and communities are achieved when decisions are made close to home, in partnership with those who understand the unique needs and aspirations of our rohe (region).
However, with this opportunity comes some substantive mahi. To be considered as a standalone ITP in 2026, we must demonstrate that we are a viable, sustainable organisation – financially, operationally and strategically.
Over the past year, we’ve taken a hard look at our operations. Like many in the sector, we’ve faced financial challenges.
In response, we’ve undertaken a comprehensive review of our programme portfolio, identifying areas of strength and those that were no longer viable. This has led to the difficult, but necessary, decision to close some programmes, ensuring that our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact.
We’ve also begun consolidating our property portfolio, including the planned sale of underutilised sites. Not just about reducing costs, it’s also about creating a more agile, fit-for-purpose organisation that can respond quickly to the needs of learners and industry.
Perhaps the most challenging part of this is our upcoming organisational redesign to enable the institute’s future success. While this work is difficult, it is an opportunity to build an institute that is fit for the future of work and delivers the skills learners, employers and communities need in order to thrive.
Our goal is to create a foundation for the future that is not only financially sustainable but also remains academically rigorous, founded on strong and enduring industry engagement and community connections.
While we are committed to becoming financially viable, our core purpose remains the same – delivering excellent vocational education for our ākonga (students).
As we look to set ourselves up for the future, we are re-engaging with our stakeholders to understand their needs and how we can work together effectively.
We recently hosted our stakeholders at a breakfast event on our Mokoia Campus in Rotorua. The event allowed our culinary arts ākonga and kaimahi (staff) to demonstrate their skills and provided us with the opportunity to update some of our community leaders about the sector and the direction in which Toi Ohomai is heading.
It was great to share Te Anga Whakamua, our Strategic Roadmap for 2025, and hear thoughts and feedback from our stakeholders. We had some really engaging conversations and we are looking to build on this going forward.
Our strategic roadmap is the starting point for future transformation. It outlines our guiding priorities: supporting learner experience, ensuring educational excellence, supporting staff capability, driving Māori success and achieving financial viability.
It also embeds our values, toiohomaitanga, into every aspect of our mahi, from people practices to performance frameworks.
The road ahead will not be without its challenges but we are confident in our direction.
We are building an institution aligned with the needs of the industry and the region. We aim to be resilient, responsive and rooted in the values of our rohe, ready to meet the needs of tomorrow’s learners, employers and communities.
As we prepare to host our next stakeholder event in Tauranga, we look forward to continuing this kōrero. Working together, we can shape a vocational education system that delivers real outcomes for the Bay of Plenty and beyond.
Want to join our next stakeholder event? Contact us via communication@toiohomai.ac.nz
