Tertiary institutions in New Zealand

The New Zealand tertiary sector covers private training establishments (PTEs), polytechnics and institutes of technology, wananga, colleges of education, universities and workplace training. See About providers for more details.

Beyond secondary school, learners can access training and education that lead to a wide range of qualifications. The New Zealand government has put national quality assurance systems in place. All courses, programmes and qualifications offered at state institutions must be approved by a quality assurance body.

Tertiary Institutions

New Zealand has a wide variety of Tertiary institutions. The following list covers what they are and what they do.

State Owned
State owned universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and wānanga (Māori centres of learning) are institutions that have been set up by the Government and approved by the Minister of Education. They are government funded and market responsive institutions that offer programmes of study and research in demand by both domestic and international students.

Universities
New Zealand's eight universities are part of the international university community. Degree programmes from New Zealand universities are recognised internationally by all leading universities.
See more information on the NZVCC website

Polytechnics
There are 23 polytechnics or institutes of technology in New Zealand. Polytechnics have traditionally specialised in vocational training, but that role has expanded over the last decade to meet the needs of learners and the economy. Many are involved in research activities, particularly in applied and technological areas and other degrees.
More information

Colleges of Education
Colleges of education provide programmes required for early childhood, primary and secondary school teaching qualifications. They also provide training for other occupational groups such as social workers. All courses involve supervised on-the-job training for students.
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Wānanga
Wānanga, Māori centres of tertiary learning, were established as tertiary education institutions in the last decade. These offer advanced study and research programmes where ahuatanga Māori (Māori tradition) and tikanga Māori (Māori custom) are an integral part of the programme. There are three wānanga in the public sector.
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All of these institutions, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and wānanga, offer a variety of qualifications including degrees that share the same quality assurance status.

Privately owned
As well as state-owned education providers there are approximately 860 private training establishments (PTEs) in New Zealand. These PTE's are privately owned and funded, although some of their courses attract government funding. They offer a wide variety of courses that lead to qualifications in a large range of vocations from scuba-diving to hospitality to business.
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Page updated: 28 November 2005