As the biggest English language provider in the Waikato, Wintec’s Centre for Languages enrols more than 150 refugee-background students each semester. Many of these students have family members also studying at Wintec – either in the English language programmes or mainstream. Together, the families have embraced education as a foundation to build their new lives in New Zealand.
Wintec is dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment where all ākonga (learners) feel supported throughout their educational journey. Understanding the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent learners, Wintec has partnered with The Hummingbird, a Hamilton-based mental health service led by experienced Mental Health Occupational Therapists.
Sasha Devia has been recognised nationally as an emerging female leader in the trades and construction industry, winning one of four Bunnings Women in Apprenticeships awards. A graduate of Wintec’s Centre for Trades, Sasha received a special prize pack worth over $10,500, including tool vouchers and professional support to help her thrive.
Culinary competitors from secondary and intermediate schools across the North Island are preparing to take on the Waikato’s leading hospitality competition at Wintec’s Rotokauri campus later this month. Proudly hosted by Wintec in partnership with Cater Plus for 20 years, the Waikato Culinary Fare is the largest regional competition of its kind in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Wintec has teamed with Hamilton City Council to offer new international scholarships to students from Chengdu University in China. The Hamilton–Chengdu Cultural Exchange Travel Scholarships will provide $10,000 in travel support to Chengdu students coming to Hamilton, New Zealand, to study with Wintec.
Nursing and medical students from Shimane University in Japan completed a two-week, short-term training programme with Wintec in New Zealand earlier this year. The visiting students are the 15th study group to travel to Wintec from the Japanese university, marking a significant milestone in the 17-year relationship between the two tertiary education providers.
Wintec’s City campus recently had a visit from Herehia Sanford, a former Wintec student and 2024 Miss Heiva. A graduate of Wintec’s Centre for Business Enterprise, Herehia received her Diploma in Business Studies Level 5.
Talented musician and Wintec graduate Chen Xiyao (Yao) saw his passion for music flourish during his time in New Zealand. A Chinese-born Kiwi, Yao was the first international student to graduate from Wintec with a Master of Arts (music) with distinction, completing his studies in 2011.
Graduating ākonga (students) recently took to the stage at Wintec’s 2025 graduation events. The celebrations spanned four ceremonies, across two days and acknowledged the academic achievements of graduates from a range of disciplines.
The Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) has partnered with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) to bolster the performance of its jockey athletes. Researchers from Wintec’s Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance continue to work closely with NZTR to shape and deliver components of its existing Elite Jockey Programme. Introduced in mid-March, the new aspects of the programme combine modern, scientific methods with traditional practices.
Ten students from various technical institutes in Thailand, accompanied by two teachers, recently concluded a two-week study tour focused on artificial intelligence (AI) at Wintec. The group, sponsored by the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Thailand, was officially welcomed in early March with a pōwhiri event at Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa Marae, located on Wintec’s City Campus.
Wintec acknowledges the incredibly sad passing of its former board Chair Niwa Nuri (Te Arawa). A much-loved part of our Wintec whānau, Niwa was previously both a member and Deputy Chair of Wintec’s board and went on to become the final Chair of Wintec’s subsidiary board during the establishment of New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, prior to the formation of Te Pūkenga.
Wintec is part of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Learn More about Wintec Te Pūkenga.
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