Some polytech students are grappling with courses being cut or changed. This as Te Pukenga is in the process of being wound up, with individual polytechs around the country working to show whether or not they can stand on their own.
Some students are finding their courses significantly changed, or are struggling to confirm they can transfer studies to a similar course, under restructuring proposals. Legislation to disestablish Te Pukenga had its first reading in May. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds earlier this month criticised the polytechs for having too high staff-per-student ratios, saying that any institute with fewer than 18 students per staff member was in financial trouble.
Third-year Whitireia performing arts student Aroha Morrison says one of the proposals is to cut the final year of her programme. She will finish hers, but current students in years behind hers would miss the final year.
Photo: Dom Thomas / Bevan Conley
Following the interview, a Te Pūkenga spokesperson asked for a clarification of comments made by Dr Pim Borren that the mega-institute posted a '$90 million loss followed by an $80 million dollar loss'.
She says when Te Pūkenga was created most polytechnics brought deficits with them.
As a result, in 2022 the Te Pūkenga deficit was $105 million. "In 2023 we had reduced our deficit to $37.9m. With more cost savings and an increase in learners, we achieved a $16.6m surplus in 2024.
The spokesperson also wanted to clarify that for students enrolled in courses being closed, such as Aroha Morrison's, Te Pukenga will confirm the situation later this year, once final decisions are made.
