Wintec set to become independent institution once again in 2026

Wintec welcomes Monday’s announcement by the Minister for Vocational Education that it will become an independent institution once again on 1 January 2026, along with 9 other ITPs (Institutes of Technology & Polytechnics) across New Zealand that are currently part of Te Pūkenga. 

Wintec House, Wintec City Campus.

Warwick Pitts, Operations Lead for Wintec, is delighted to have had confirmation of Wintec’s future path, saying that Wintec set its sights very early on, on once again becoming an independent vocational education provider for the Waikato community.  

Wintec Operations Lead, Warwick Pitts.

“After leading the sector as one of the first two ITPs to join Te Pūkenga in 2022 we are excited to be once again taking the lead in the first group of ITPs to stand back up as independent entities,” said Warwick    

“We took early and decisive action to streamline and right-size the organisation, laying a strong and robust foundation for us to move forward as an independent institution responsive to the needs of our communities. 

“We are extremely grateful to our kaimahi who have endured significant change over the past years and remained passionate and committed to our ākonga.  

“For our ākonga, nothing will change. They will continue to receive the same high-quality education and training.  

“For our Iwi, industry, employers, schools and other community partners, we look forward to engaging even more closely with them to support our regions with their workforce needs. 

Wintec has a long and proud history of serving the Waikato region, last year celebrating its 100-year anniversary of providing vocational education in the Waikato.  

“As we look to the future and start putting in place the processes and structures to support our future independence, we will draw on our values of Manawa nui, Manawa roa and Manawa ora and ensure our ākonga are always at the heart of everything we do,” he said.