New tertiary institution for Bay of Plenty region

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology will merge in 2016.

The polytechnic and Waiariki will continue to operate as individual institutions for the first four months of 2016 and will be disestablished from May 2016 when they will merge into the new institution. This will minimise disruption to the start of the academic year.

The new institutions' interim name will be Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. It is intended that a new name will be launched in the early part of 2016.

Ian Turner, chairperson of the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic council, and Graeme Nahkies, chairperson of the Waiariki council, said they were looking forward to the opportunities the merger would bring to students, businesses and communities across the wider Bay of Plenty region and to furthering their relationship with the University of Waikato.

"The decision has been made, so now is the beginning of our opportunity to create the best institution for our region," said Mr Turner.

"What that may look like will be worked through over the coming months; we will continue to work closely with staff, iwi and all of our regional stakeholders and partners to gather ideas and options for responding to the needs of our learners, business and communities in the wider region."

"Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has worked in partnership with the University of Waikato for more than a decade to increase tertiary education opportunities in the Western Bay of Plenty.

"It's exciting that we will be able to extend those same opportunities throughout the entire Bay of Plenty through the formation of this new institution.

"We want to deliver more effectively right across the region, with a wider range of programmes and better access for all students. Both Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Waiariki Institute of Technology are strong in their own right - by bringing them together we will have the resources to do even better for our region."

Mr Nahkies said it would be business as usual for staff and students, and emphasised the importance of continuing to work closely with Maori.

"Our first task is to create a smooth process to transition our staff and students to the new institution," said Mr Nahkies.

"For both, it's business as usual. All students will be able to complete their studies with the same expectations they had at the time of enrolment. Staff contracts will shift over to the new institution and students may not even notice the change at all."

"The new institution will continue to play an important role in improving participation in vocational and professional education and training in the wider Bay of Plenty - providing strong pathways to meaningful employment, particularly for Māori, Pasifika and youth."

An Establishment Committee has been set up to oversee the planning and preparation for the new institution, led by Ian Turner and Graeme Nahkies.

A new council will be announced by the Minister in February and, once appointed, will establish a constitution, appoint additional members and appoint a chief executive.