Ara Institute of Canterbury

For the former secondary school, see Christchurch Technical High School.

Ara Institute of Canterbury

Former names	Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, CPIT, Christchurch Technical College, Aoraki Polytechnic
Motto	Ara rau, taumata rau
Motto in English	Many pathways, many opportunities
Type	Public
Established	2016
Students	6290 EFTS (2023) [1]
Location	Christchurch , New Zealand 43°32′18″S172°38′35″E / 43.538259°S 172.643189°E / -43.538259; 172.643189
Campus	Urban
Website	www.ara.ac.nz

Ara Institute of Canterbury, often simply referred to as Ara, is an institute of technology in Canterbury, New Zealand. It was formed in 2016 from the merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and Aoraki Polytechnic.

Curriculum and programs

Ara specialises in applied tertiary training. Subject choices include business, engineering, architecture, nursing, creative arts, hospitality, computing, science, languages, outdoor education, and broadcasting. Programmes range from Level 1 to Level 9. The institute works closely with industry to ensure students have relevant skills for employment, and have a wide range of work placement opportunities.

Each year around 14,000 students enrol at Ara, including many international students. Ara is internationally recognised and has one of the best English language training centres in New Zealand. Over 50 countries are represented among staff and students at Ara.

History

Previously known as CPIT or Christchurch Polytech, Ara was created in 2016 when CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic merged. Ara is the Māori word for path or journey. ^[2]

On 1 April 2020, Ara became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) alongside the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) in the country. ^[3]

In July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that the Government would return Ara Institute and nine other polytechnics to regional governance by 1 January 2026. ^{[4] [5]}

Campus

Ara has six campuses in Canterbury and North Otago (three in Christchurch and one each in Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru), making it the largest tertiary institute in the South Island.

Buildings on the City campus, Madras Street, Christchurch

• Kahukura – This block built for architecture and engineering studies was completed in June 2017 and is named after the Māori for a chief's cloak. ^{[6] [7]}
• Te Kei – This two-storey building housing executive and administrative staff was completed in 2018 and is named after the Māori for the bow of the canoe. ^{[8] [9]}
• Te Puna Wānaka – This is the centre for Māori, Pacific and indigenous studies which was built in 1996. A year long refurbishment to address damage caused by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake was completed for its reopening on 7 July 2021. ^[10]

Faculty and alumni

See also: Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology § Alumni, and Aoraki Polytechnic § Alumni

• Miranda Easten – country music singer-songwriter
• Cathy Andrew - Head of Nursing at Ara

References

1. Provider Summary: Enrolments, EFTS https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/excel_doc/0017/62513/provider_summary_tables-2023.xlsx
2. "Ara — Te Aka Māori Dictionary". ara - Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
3. Kenny, Lee (29 October 2019). "Wanted: 'Sophisticated' leader to head NZ's mega polytech". Stuff . Retrieved 2 March 2020.
4. "Te Pūkenga: Government restores regional governance for 10 polytechnics, unwinds merger". The New Zealand Herald . 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
5. Simmonds, Penny (14 July 2025). "Regional governance will return to ten polytechnics". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
6. "Ara's $34 million Kahukura building officially opened". Stuff. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
7. "Ara Institute's Kahukura building". hawkins.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
8. "Te Kei". NZ Institute of Architects. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
9. "Te Kei Executive Administration". Inovo Projects. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
10. "Christchurch's 'anchor point' for Māori culture reopens after year-long refurbishment". Stuff. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.

External links

• Official website