50 years of learning, growth and community.
In 2020, Manukau Institute of Technology celebrated 50 years of delivering practical, career-focused education in South Auckland. While MIT is not New Zealand’s oldest polytechnic — as some others evolved from secondary technical schools — it holds a unique place in history as the country’s first purpose-built polytechnic.
Over five decades, MIT has supported generations of learners, adapted to workforce needs, and remained deeply connected to the communities it serves. The 50th Jubilee provided an opportunity to reflect on this legacy and look forward to continuing innovation and making a positive impact.
The original campus in central Ōtara has grown into three main sites: Ōtara itself, known for the past 20 years as the North Campus; MIT Manukau, which is famous for having a rail station right underneath the building; and TechPark, the newest campus opened in the Golden Jubilee year of 2020. TechPark now offers modern, state-of-the-art facilities that match today’s industry and engineering standards, giving students real-world learning opportunities.
MIT Manukau is where you’ll find business education, digital technology, and key health programmes like nursing and counselling. The Ōtara campus focuses on education and social sciences and is also the heart of Māori life through Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, as well as a hub for Pasifika students at the Pasifika Community Centre.
Beyond the southern campuses, MIT continues to deliver nationally and internationally recognised programmes. The New Zealand Maritime School, based in Auckland’s CBD, remains a leader in maritime education and training.
MIT once had centres in Papakura, Highbrook, and Pukekohe and continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of South Auckland’s communities, industries, and businesses.
Strolling past the records of people and their deeds.
When MIT opened it was called the Manukau Technical Institute.
MIT’s other listed feature of our natural environment – the Holm Oak Tree.
One of New Zealand’s famous characters.
Emergent as an institution that were not to be defined by their origins.
Well led, well developed, and never losing the plot.
A proposal to the Ministry of Education that MIT be allowed to develop a Tertiary Secondary High School.
A reflection on its past, some of the history and events.
The information for the 50th Jubilee was collected and produced by Stuart Middleton, Professor Emeritus. Stuart was with MIT for 21 years, starting in 2002, and in that time supervised almost all major portfolios and ushered in a series of innovations to level the playing field in education.
