Talks of collaboration between regional polytechnics, including one between Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, have sparked an investigation by the Tertiary Education Union into recent mergers.
At present there are consultations or merger processes under way between Weltec and Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, and Aoraki Polytechnic and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
In a statement this week by the Tertiary Education Union, which represents 10,000 workers across the sector, spokesman James Houkamau said nobody was answering the question of whether these mergers would be beneficial for students.
"Mergers might save money, but if in the long term students in regional communities lose their face-to-face course to online provision, or end up travelling further, or do not have the same number of local support staff to help them learn, then we need to ask, 'why are we doing this?'"
However Waiariki's chief executive says students and communities' interests would be paramount in any decision around collaboration.