The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

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The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand or Open Polytechnic (Māori: Kuratini Tuwhera) is a government-owned tertiary education institution operating as the specialist national provider of open and distance learning (ODL). Located in Lower Hutt near New Zealand's capital city Wellington, The Open Polytechnic provides tertiary education at a national level for 30,000 students each year.[citation needed]

## History

[edit]

The Polytechnic began life as the Technical Correspondence School in 1946, providing resettlement training for returned servicemen and women following World War II. In 1963 it became the Technical Correspondence Institute offering mainly theory training in trades subjects.

The institution underwent a major transformation in 1990 when it was renamed The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, going on to become a multi-faceted provider of ODL courses and services.

On 1 April 2020, The Open Polytechnic became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) alongside the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs).[1]

In July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that The Open Polytechnic would leave Te Pūkenga and join a new federation of polytechnics consisting of Otago Polytechnic and the Universal College of Learning.[2][3]

## The Student Advisory Group

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The Open Polytechnic student advisory group offers insights from learners regarding products and services.[4] It serves as a consultation panel during the development of new initiatives that impact students.

Membership in the advisory group can include up to 12 learners. These individuals engage via online platform with occasional in-person meetings with relevant senior managers from Open Polytechnic and the Open Polytechnic Council.[5]

Members serve an initial two-year term and may be reappointed for up to three terms. Selection criteria include:

* Demonstrated interest in distance education
* Current enrolment with a minimum of 24 weeks of study completed at the time of appointment
* Qualities and skills showcased in the nomination form that indicate their potential contributions to the Open Polytechnic Student Advisory Group.[6]

## References

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1. ^ Kenny, Lee (29 October 2019). "Wanted: 'Sophisticated' leader to head NZ's mega polytech". Stuff. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
2. ^ "Te Pūkenga: Government restores regional governance for 10 polytechnics, unwinds merger". The New Zealand Herald. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
3. ^ Simmonds, Penny (14 July 2025). "Regional governance will return to ten polytechnics". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
4. ^ "Student Advisory Group » Open Polytechnic".
5. ^ "Student Advisory Group » Open Polytechnic".
6. ^ "Student Advisory Group » Open Polytechnic".

## External links

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* Official website
* Facebook page
* YouTube channel
* Twitter page

41°13′07″S 174°55′53″E﻿ / ﻿41.21851°S 174.93127°E﻿ / -41.21851; 174.93127

* v
* t
* e

Vocational education in New Zealand

Institutes of technology
and polytechnics (ITPs)|

| Current|

* Te Pūkenga

|

Subsidiaries|

* Ara Institute of Canterbury
* Eastern Institute of Technology
* Manukau Institute of Technology
* Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
* NorthTec
* Otago Polytechnic
* Southern Institute of Technology
* Tai Poutini Polytechnic
* The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
* Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
* Unitec Institute of Technology
* Universal College of Learning
* Waikato Institute of Technology
* Wellington Institute of Technology
* Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
* Whitireia New Zealand

Former|

* Aoraki Polytechnic
* Auckland College of Education
* Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
* Christchurch College of Education
* Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
* Dunedin College of Education
* Flock House
* Tairawhiti Polytechnic
* Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre
* Waiariki Institute of Technology
* Whanganui School of Design
* Wellington College of Education

Wānanga|

* Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
* Te Wānanga o Raukawa
* Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Private training
establishments (PTEs)|

* Media Design School

Others|

* General Service Training School
* New Zealand Defence College
* Royal New Zealand Police College

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