Members of the public are entitled to attend board meetings and meetings of the Academic Committee and Academic Committee Sub-Committees subject to section 48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).
Open Polytechnic is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Te Pūkenga).
From 1 November 2022, all references to Open Polytechnic on this website (and any documentation linked through this website) need to be read as references to Te Pūkenga and its Open Polytechnic business division.
Te Pūkenga brings the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and the arranging training activities of certain Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) together to create a national network. This will give learners more choices and flexibility in what, where, and how they learn.
Existing Open Polytechnic ākonga (learners) will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga automatically in the same qualification and will continue to learn in the same way, in the same place, with the same people.
Learners should note that all programmes offered across Te Pūkenga are under review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the needs of industry and may be changed. Where there are changes to programmes that you have applied to enrol in, you will be notified of these changes.
What this means for learning with us
Your learning, and the people who you engage with, will not change.
We remain committed to providing you with an exceptional learning experience to help you succeed in your study and future career. If you have any questions, please contact us
Visit Te Pūkenga website.
Frequently asked questions
Updated 30 August 2022
Q1. Why will I be enrolled with Te Pūkenga from 1 November 2022?
A1. As a result of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education, in April 2020 all polytechnics in New Zealand, including Open Polytechnic, became subsidiaries of Te Pūkenga. From 1 November 2022 all subsidiaries will become part of Te Pūkenga rather than separate subsidiaries, and all institute of technology and polytechnic learners in New Zealand will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga.
Q2. I expect to complete my qualification before 1 November 2022, will it have Open Polytechnic’s name on my qualification certificate?
A2. Yes
Q3 If I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga, when I graduate from 1 November 2022 onwards, what will appear on my qualification certificate?
A3. If you complete your programme of study after the transition date of 1 November 2022, you will receive an Open Polytechnic and Te Pūkenga co-branded qualification certificate.
Q4. If I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga from 1 November 2022, will Open Polytechnic still be involved in my study?
A4. While you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga from 1 November 2022, you will still study as you do now and you can expect the same level of care, expertise and excellence in online and distance learning delivery from us.
Q5. I graduated from Open Polytechnic prior to 1 November 2022, will my qualification still be recognised if the Open Polytechnic no longer exists as its own entity?
A5. Yes, it will still be recognised by NZQA, employers and industry bodies.
Q6. If I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga rather than Open Polytechnic, will my qualification still be recognised by the appropriate industry body?
A6. Yes. All industry accreditations and recognition will automatically transfer to Te Pūkenga.
Q7. Will I still have Open Polytechnic tutor/support staff if I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga?
A7. Yes. There will be no change to your study. You will continue to receive all of the tutor and other support services you currently receive.
Q8. What will change for me after 1 November 2022?
A8. Right now nothing will change. We will be in contact with learners if Te Pūkenga informs us of any changes.
Q9. Will I have to attend classes when I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga or can I still study by distance/online?
A9. You will still be able to study by distance/online in the same way you do now.
Q10. Will I be using the same online learning system/platform when I am enrolled with Te Pūkenga?
A10. This will not change in 2022 or 2023.
Q11. My employer has a corporate account with Open Polytechnic to pay my fees, will we need to set up something else from 1 November 2022 for fee payment with Te Pūkenga?
A.11 Corporate accounts will continue under the terms of contracts. We will inform employers of any administrative changes for fee payments and discounts.
Q12. If I do courses with other institutes of technology and polytechnics, do I still need to apply for cross credit from 1 November 2022 with Te Pūkenga, and will there be a fee?
A.12 The regulations are currently being written. At this stage you will need to provide the relevant documentation. Fees will be confirmed later this year.
Q13. If I studied at other Te Pūkenga subsidiaries, will you have access to my records and completed courses?
A13. If you are applying for recognition of credit attained at another/other Te Pūkenga subsidiaries, you do need to provide all the relevant documentation to us during the transition phase to Te Pūkenga.
Q14. Will there still be an Open Polytechnic graduation ceremony?
A 14. Open Polytechnic graduation ceremonies are planned for 2022 and 2023. Graduation ceremonies from 2024 onwards will be organised in conjunction with Te Pūkenga.
Q15. I have previously enrolled with another provider will I need to provide my verified citizenship again when I apply to enrol at your institution?
A15. Yes you will until the transition to Te Pūkenga is fully completed.
Learner Leader Henry Geary Representing Open Polytechnic Learners at Te Pūkenga
Kia ora koutou
Ko Henry tōku ingoa, ko Taranaki tōku maunga, ko Taranaki me Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa ngā iwi, Nō Wyndham ahau, Ko Heretaunga te tūrangawaewae.
I am currently studying towards a Diploma in Architectural Technology, having completed a Bachelor of Business with Open Polytechnic (OP) in 2020.
I am a student member of the OP academic committee, OP student advisory group and recently appointed to the interim learner advisory committee (ILAC) for Te Pūkenga (NZIST).
The Student Advisory Group plays an important role within Open Polytechnic, giving the Executives and Learning Delivery a student perspective, to help evolve distance learning.
The ILAC plays the same role for Te Pūkenga, but on a much larger scale as it covers all 16 Institutes of Technology & Polytechnics as well as workplace training activities of the former Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) that have transitioned this ITO function to Te Pūkenga.
As part of the Te Pūkenga Interim Learner Advisory Committee, I meet regularly with representatives from the Ministry of Education, NZQA, Tertiary Education, StudyLink/MSD and other students from across the country.
If you have any questions/queries/problems related to your learning journey, that you'd like to me to put forward, please use the feedback form below to get in touch.
Your Feedback
We love to hear your feedback so that we know what we are doing well, and what we might be able to improve on.
Please use this form to send us your thoughts on your experiences in online or distance learning, on Open Polytechnic's services, our responsiveness to your learning needs, or any general comments related to the Reform of Vocational Education.