Public consultation on the proposed merger of two Canterbury polytechnics has opened.
The Aoraki Polytechnic, based in Timaru in South Canterbury, and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology are proposing to create a new organisation under a new name.
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said he wanted to make sure the plan would meet the needs of students, business and the wider Canterbury region.
Mr Joyce said the polytechnics believed the new organisation would be able to provide a wider range of programmes and increased access to vocational education.
Consultation closes on 14 September.
