Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

Other name	Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki
Established	1972
Students	5,000
Address	20 Bell Street , New Plymouth , New Zealand
Affiliations	Public NZ TEI
Website	www.witt.ac.nz

Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) is the largest tertiary education institution in Taranaki, New Zealand. ^[1]

History

On 1 April 2020, WITT became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology) alongside the 15 other Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs). ^[2] WITT will remain a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga until early January 2023 when it is fully merged into the national entity. ^[3]

In mid-July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that WITT along with NorthTec, Whitireia New Zealand, the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTEC) and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) would temporarily remain with Te Pūkenga until final decisions were made in early 2026. ^{[4] [5]}

Campuses

The institute has two campuses around Taranaki; the main campus is situated in New Plymouth, and the other is located in Hawera. WITT is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.^{[ citation needed ]}

WITT also has a campus in Hamilton which is part of the New Zealand Institute Highway Technology, WITT's wholly owned subsidiary.^{[ citation needed ]}

Curriculum

WITT offers programmes from Levels 1 to 9, including degrees and diplomas, apprenticeships and short courses.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "Student numbers rising at Witt". Taranaki Daily News . Fairfax New Zealand. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
2. Kenny, Lee (29 October 2019). "Wanted: 'Sophisticated' leader to head NZ's mega polytech". Stuff . Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
3. Davies, Eva (3 May 2022). "Witt launches co-branding ahead of transition into national entity Te Pūkenga". Taranaki Daily News . Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
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.