Te Pūkenga only opened a new NorthTec campus at Ngāwhā, near Kaikohe, in 2023, but it's now scaling back courses as part of a de-merger. Photo: Peter de Graaf
Fears are growing for the future of Northland's biggest vocational education provider as it scrambles to break even amid the break-up of mega-institute Te Pūkenga.
A 'Save NorthTec Hui' was called at short notice at the main campus in Whangārei on Friday as the institute starts consulting on a new round of cuts.
It comes as the government returns 10 polytechnics around the country to standalone, regionally-run institutes, reversing the previous government's 2020 merger.
However, polytechnics in four other regions - including Northland - have been given until next year to prove they can be financially viable.
Those that can't balance the books face possible closure or a merger with the Open Polytechnic.
Tertiary Education Union (TEU) rep Sharlene Nelson told the hui the restructuring proposal could see the axing of courses in forestry, primary industries, apiculture, pest control and creative writing, as well as the closure of the Auckland campus.
Adding to staff concern was the uncertainty around whether NorthTec would exist in a few years' time, she said.
"Morale is pretty low ... it just creates anxiety, because you don't know if you've still got a job. Do you put that effort in? And where are students going to go if we don't exist?"
Nelson said she'd been shocked by revelations in an RNZ report last Thursday that polytechnics around the country expected to cut about 550 courses, up to 900 full-time equivalent staff and 30 delivery sites.
"We knew it was happening, but we never saw the magnitude of it. It's quite scary."
Another tutor and TEU rep, Jim Hutchinson, said the proposed cuts were devastating for staff.
"That's their livelihood, and they love to teach."
Hutchinson said the potential closure of NorthTec was especially concerning for students in the Far North, who would have to travel long distances to pursue other training options.
Poor connectivity in some parts of Northland made online learning impractical, he added.
Nelson said the cuts also threatened Northland's future economic growth.
"Without education, how do you grow? If you decide to cut back to next to nothing, then what is the future for Northland?"
Former NorthTec student, tutor and director Hūhana Lyndon – now a Green MP – called the Save NorthTec Hui on Friday amid concerns for the institute’s future. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The public hui was called with two days' notice by Hūhana Lyndon, a former NorthTec student, tutor and learner support director, now a Green MP.
She said she organised the meeting after news emerged last Wednesday that Northland would not necessarily retain a polytechnic following the dis-establishment of Te Pūkenga.
That was followed on Thursday by revelations of the scale of course and job cuts nationwide.
Lyndon said uncertainty over the 46-year-old institute's future was "hugely concerning", even if some courses needed "a rev-up".
"It really leaves us vulnerable in terms of powering up the economy, and being able to educate our young people and those that are transitioning between jobs."
The timing was "awkward" because just last Wednesday, Northland's biggest businesses made a presentation to Parliament about the region's potential to expand from an $11 billion-a-year economy to $60 billion by 2050.
The same presentation explained Northland's current under-performance was due to long-term under-investment in infrastructure, a skills shortage and poor educational outcomes.
Lyndon said the answer to the skills shortage was "industry-relevant, credible training options".
She was pleased with the turnout of more than 100 people at the hui given the short notice.
Lyndon planned to raise her concerns with NorthTec's interim leadership, as well as industry, hapū, iwi and councils.
Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds said the government was committed to helping NorthTec work towards long-term financial viability.
"A committed group of community leaders are working alongside the government in Northland to ensure this happens. NorthTec is a valued polytechnic and will remain within Te Pūkenga over the next few months as it works with specialist advisors on a pathway toward viability, with decisions due in the first half of 2026."
Simmonds said the government had set up a $20 million annual fund for the next two years to support "strategically important provision" in smaller, rural regions.
Tutors and Tertiary Education Union reps Sharlene Nelson and Jim Hutchinson address a Save NorthTec Hui called at short notice last Friday. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
That would help ensure learners in regions such as Northland were not disadvantaged while the government worked through longer-term funding plans.
As part of the new "blended learning" model, regional institutions would have autonomy to choose the right mix of online, work-based and in-person learning to meet local needs.
Regarding NorthTec's current cuts, Simmonds said she was not privy to polytechnics' operational decisions.
"However, I'd suggest it is important for NorthTec, as it is for all polytechnics, to be taking appropriate actions to ensure their overall viability and maintain their relationships with local industries and communities," she said.
Simmonds said the government wanted to build a vocational education system that was "locally led, regionally responsive and financially sustainable, including for Northland".
The three other regions where polytechnic survival is uncertain are Taranaki (Western Institute of Technology), Wellington (Whitireia Community Polytechnic and Wellington Institute of Technology) and the West Coast (Tai Poutini Polytechnic).
NorthTec was founded as Northland Community College in 1978.
Its main campus is in the Whangārei suburb of Raumanga but it has satellites in Kaitāia, Kerikeri, Ngāwhā and Auckland.
The brand-new campus at Ngāwhā, just east of Kaikohe, only opened in 2023.
The Rāwene campus closed in 2017 but the buildings remain in use as a community-run education hub.
NorthTec has been contacted for comment.
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