We wanted to make sure you got to hear our big news!

If you study or partner with us, please continue learning and working with MIT.

More information on what being independent and local means will be shared as we go forward.

For now, here are a few basics:

 

What has been announced?

Minister for Vocational Education Hon. Penny Simmonds has announced MIT and Unitec will transition away from Te Pūkenga to become a single independent legal entity, as of January 1, 2026.

 

What does that mean if I am currently studying with MIT?

This will not impact your current programme of study with us. You will still be able to earn a qualification recognised both here and overseas.

You will continue learning the same programme you are enrolled with us to complete.

Please continue to study at the same location, with the same school, while being taught the same course content by the same dedicated team of lecturers.

 

Why has there been a change?

The previous Government was in the process of establishing a national network for vocational education and training called Te Pūkenga.

The current Government is moving away from the national network to reestablish regionally-based, independent skills training providers.

 

What are the advantages of the new model?

A unified organisation gives us the scale to create a stronger presence for vocational education in the country’s largest city.

Being independent means, we can design qualifications, pathways and support to better meet the needs of our local learners, iwi, communities, service sectors and industries in our region.

 

What is happening to the names, brands, identities and values of MIT and Unitec in the immediate future?

Senior Leadership Team of MIT and Unitec will be recommending to the incoming Council/ Establishment Advisory Group that these be retained for now.

We acknowledge the powerful legacies our organisations have created with our communities through skills training in Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland over more than fifty years.

We recognise the trust and reputation MIT and Unitec have built during this time, as well as the significance the brands, identities, their principles, value systems and approaches to Te Tiriti hold for students, staff and our external stakeholders.

 

My business or organisation does work with MIT. What does this change mean for that ongoing relationship?

In the short-to-medium term, we don’t anticipate you’ll notice a lot of change. Your contact person with our organisation will remain the same.

We look forward to honouring and maintaining the current partnerships held by our organisations, while exploring ways we can better support employers, industries and service providers in the region.

 

Who will be responsible for relationships with Māori stakeholders as we move forward with transition? 

Our dedicated teams at MIT and Unitec will continue their important work in upholding Te Tiriti-based relationships and supporting the pursuit of equitable outcomes for ākonga Māori.

We will be recruiting a Deputy Chief Executive – Māori to liaise with both and co-ordinate this mahi (work) with a region-wide perspective.

 

How do I find out more?

 Look out for the details of on campus hui we’ll be holding soon to explain more about what’s planned.

If you have any initial questions, please email them to commsteam@manukau.ac.nz