MIT and Unitec have started an important new chapter.
We have come together as one organisation, creating an opportunity to strengthen how vocational and applied learning is imagined for students across Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond.
Today, MIT and Unitec already operate under shared leadership, and now we are exploring what the future will look like together, and how our students will experience the next chapter.
While we work toward a shared future current study options remain unchanged, campuses continue operating as normal, qualifications continue as planned. Future decisions will focus on creating stronger opportunities for learners, industry and our communities.
“This is about creating greater opportunity for learners while building on the strengths both institutions already bring to education.”
Christine Hong, Chief Executive MIT and Unitec
If you’re currently studying at MIT or Unitec, there is nothing you need to do.
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If you’re considering studying with MIT or Unitec, you can continue exploring programmes and applying as normal. Both institutions remain focused on delivering high-quality learning experiences, industry connections, and pathways into future careers.
We are looking forward to exploring the full benefits of joining together for our learners, iwi, communities and businesses, forming a nationally and internationally significant provider of on campus vocational education and training, with capability to also deliver in the workplace and online.
This will allow us to offer a wider range of high-quality training to learners across Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland, while also making this training more accessible.
Being independent allows us to develop our own qualifications which are specifically designed to respond to the needs of our communities and industries.
It also allows us to engage more closely with the service sectors, organisations and businesses in our region to understand and meet their training needs.
These important conversations will create more opportunities for our learners and their career development.
As a combined provider we have taken on all the responsibilities held by MIT and Unitec. That includes enrolments.
When you enrol with us, you are buying a service. We take responsibility for delivering the training for and assessing the certificate, block course, diploma, degree or post graduate qualification you have opted to study.
Like many other services, tertiary enrolments are covered under Consumer Guarantees Act, which is the legislation protecting the rights of consumers in this country.
Yes. The important thing for those studying with us to know is we will continue to deliver NZQA approved and accredited qualifications taught by the same expert and passionate lecturers.
Our qualifications have been developed in partnership with industry and professional bodies to ensure graduates gain the valuable skills they need to access rewarding employment opportunities both here and overseas.
As with any tertiary education organisation, we want our training to be as accessible to our learners as possible.
Over time, this may lead to changes to the locations where we are offering training, including the potential to expand delivery through partnership arrangements and technology.
If changes are proposed, we will take into consideration the needs of learners and potential disruption any decisions may cause them. We will also notify you, our learners, of any changes in advance of making any changes.
No. Domestic and international fees have been set for 2026. There will be no change to student loans available to our learners due to this decision.
Transitional leadership for MIT and Unitec is offered by Tāmaki Transition Group. The group is made up of senior leaders from across our combined organisation.
The group includes MIT kaumatua Vince Hapi (Waikato Tainui), Unitec Taharangi Vivienne Merito (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko) and MIT Director of Māori Education Dr Wiremu Manaia (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Awa).
MIT and Unitec remains committed to the relationships, partnerships, values and purpose which underpinned our institutions as standalone providers.
These include the Kawenata between MIT and Waikato-Tainui and Te Noho Kotahitanga, the partnership between Māori and non-Māori on which Unitec’s principles and values are based.
In MIT and Unitec’s interim Strategic Direction states that:
“Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec will be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It shapes our values, priorities, and practices as we work to achieve equity for Māori and Tangata Tiriti. We will build upon our enduring and respectful relationships with iwi, hapū, and hapori across Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland, strengthening meaningful and long-term partnerships with shared aspirations.”