Te Pūkenga’s Whangārei campus, pictured, is due to revert to its previous name of NorthTec by the end of the year. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Agriculture and forestry courses are the main winners of a fund the Government is using to back subjects that may not be considered viable for an individual polytech to want to deliver on its own.
As part of the devolution of the mega institute Te Pukenga, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds said the Government had set aside $20 million to fund 'strategically important' courses.
Official documents show the courses and the institutions will receive the fund in the form of grants over two years. Primary industry courses - such as the diploma in agriculture, the certificate in agriculture vehicles and machinery and forestry management - feature heavily in the list.
Polytechs will get grants to offer these courses, with Northtec and Tai Poutini receiving the highest amounts.
But they only receive the funding over 2026 and 2027 - with guarantee it continues after. Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmons says it is a practical approach to ensure essential workforces continue to develop - and supports regional communities.
The Tertiary Education Union's national president Julie Douglas says the fund is a band-aid for a sector that is poorly funded and understood.
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