End of an era for Wintec’s Design Factory New Zealand

The end of Semester One 2025, saw the final in-classroom teaching for Wintec’s Design Factory New Zealand (DFNZ), following the decision earlier this year to close the programme.

The closure was part of Wintec’s wider ongoing efforts to reduce operating costs in order to meet the government’s financial sustainability criteria to become independent as part of the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.

In July, it was confirmed that Wintec’s combined efforts had paid off, with the Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds, announcing that Wintec, along with 9 other polytechnics, would stand up as an independent institution on 1 January 2026.

For eight years, Wintec has been a proud member of the Design Factory Global Network - a network of innovation hubs in universities and research organisations spanning five continents of the world.

Warwick Pitts, Operations Lead for Wintec says, “It has been an honour to be part of this unique and special journey and to have put New Zealand on the Design Factory Global Network map over this time.

“We wholeheartedly believe in the kaupapa of the Design Factory NZ and the need for people to learn skills in innovating, creative thinking and working across disciplines to solve complex problems,” he says.  

Wintec has worked closely with more than 30 partner organisations through the DFNZ programme over the years to support its students.

“As a vocational education institution, connecting with our industry partners, learning by doing, and having a hands-on innovative approach to learning are all part of our DNA.

We remain committed to embracing and encouraging innovation as a powerful tool and utilising many of the skills and approaches that have been integral to our DFNZ programmes over the years,” says Warwick.  

“Our students have benefitted greatly from working so closely with industry partners, gaining unique skills, confidence and industry connections and leaving Wintec with globally recognised qualifications.

“We have valued our rich working partnerships with these organisations and look forward to continuing to partner with many of them through our other programmes and initiatives.”

Last month, Wintec farewelled Margi Moore, the founding director of DFNZ, and final dedicated DFNZ kaimahi.

Wintec will continue to ‘teach out’ the remaining cohort of post graduate students, with supervision and support of the remaining student projects continuing under the guidance of other Wintec kaiako who have been supporting DFNZ programmes.

It is anticipated that these students will complete their programmes, and be eligible to be awarded their qualifications, by September 2026.