Waiariki Institute of Technology, Your Story Begins Here
Read about Waiariki’s history, courses and degrees we offer, from business administration or management, to sport, tourism, and Maori education; you can even study online.
Home > About Us

About Us

about usWaiariki Institute of Technology is a tertiary education facility (or Polytechnic) in the Waiariki Rohe (Bay of Plenty). We have five schools of study, a wānanga, an academy of singing and music and a sports academy. Our mission is to increase the education and therefore, the contribution, prosperity and health of our region.

Waiariki is New Zealand’s fastest growing tertiary institute. It is here that students begin their journey to success! Our main campus is in Rotorua and is set in clean, green and safe rural surroundings only ten minutes from the city centre. Regional campuses exist in Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane. We work with industries, training organisations and community groups to support their requirements by providing qualifications and training to fill gaps where skilled employees are needed.

We provide up-to-date and relevant vocational training in key industries such as forestry, tourism, hospitality, and the trades, which are vital to our region’s growth and success. Our extensive list of qualifications range from graduate level degrees to diplomas and certificates, all of which have various study options.

Whakapapa: Waiariki Institute of Technology History »
Established in 1978, Waiariki is one of the largest tertiary institutes outside the university centres.

Originally developed as a centre for adult and trades education, Waiariki has been offering quality vocational studies for 30 years. Waiariki has a student population of around 9,000 full- and part-time students, of which 200 of these are from overseas. Waiariki began to offer bachelor degree programmes in the early 1990s.

Waiariki has strong links to local and national training and governmental bodies ensuring students obtain relevant and job-ready qualifications when they graduate.

Waiariki is known for its high level of student support and prides itself on ensuring that the needs of its students are met with the provision of our excellent services and facilities. The institution offers a small classroom environment, maximizing individual attention and learning. Tutorial support is also available in many forms.

Technical education in Rotorua began in 1939 with the establishment of the Rotorua High School (now Rotorua Boys' High School) Technical Department.

In the early 1960s, Rotorua Boys' High School separated out its engineering, carpentry and secretarial night classes. The secretarial classes were transferred to Rotorua Girls' High School.

In 1968, Rotorua Girls' High School formed its secretarial classes into the "Rotorua Girls' High School Business College".

In 1972, Rotorua Boys' High School formed its technical classes (automotive engineering and carpentry) into the "Rotorua Boys' High School Technical Institute Division (TID)".

In 1976, the Rotorua High Schools' Board of Governors (which oversaw the five Rotorua high schools before the advent "Tomorrow's Schools" in 1989) merged the TID and Business College into the autonomous "Rotorua High Schools' Board Senior Technical Division".

On 1 April, 1978, the Waiariki Community College was established and it was officially opened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. L.W. Gandar, on 21 June, 1978. Waiariki changed its name to 'polytechnic' in 1987, and 'institute of technology' in 1998.

  • Rotorua High School Technical Department, 1939.
  • Rotorua Girls' High School Business College, 1968.
  • Rotorua Boys' High School Technical Institute Division, 1972.
  • Rotorua High Schools' Board Senior Technical Division, 1976.
  • Waiariki Community College, 1978.
Waiariki Cultural Guide Book »

Waiariki Institute of Technology is a bi-cultural institute. To help people understand Māori culture, a guide to marae (meeting house) protocol was released in March 2009.

This booklet has an emphasis on the customs, traditions, and etiquette pertaining to Tangatarua Marae, for staff and students of Waiariki Institute of Technology – Whare Takiura

Download: A Guide for Staff and Students (PDF 987KBs)

Institute information »

Information about us:

  • Stragetic Plan
  • Academic Statute or
  • Our latest Academic Report click here
Student Services Available at Waiariki »

Waiariki provides a number of support services to help with student success. Information on these services can be found in the student area on our website. Services include:

  • Learner Support
  • Health and Counselling
  • Manaakitanga Programme
  • Facilities (Computer rooms, Copy Centre, Student Cafe, Automotive Workshop, etc)
  • WITSA and more.

 

Our Campuses

Mokoia Campus - Rotorua
The campus is low-rise and set in clean, green and safe rural surroundings only five minutes from Rotorua's city centre. A regular public bus service runs from the campus to the city.mokoia
View web page
Taupo Campus
The Taupo campus is located just minutes from the town centre. There is plenty of free parking for commuters, and the campus is on a regular bus route.taupo
View web page
Tokoroa Campus
The Tokoroa campus is conveniently located in downtown Tokoroa. Tokoroa is located in the South Waikato District, an area with natural beauty, situated between forests with towering pines and dairy farming in the green rolling hills. tokoroa
View web page
Whakatane Campus
The Whakatane campus is located about 6kms from the central business district, and offers plenty of free on-campus parking and is on a regular bus route.

Waiariki Central, conveniently located in Whakatane’s town centre, offers computing courses and walk-in access to computers for Waiariki students. Helpful staff can provide guidance with computing course work. whakatane
View web page
Waiariki In Focus
Waiariki In Focus, conveniently located in the city centre, offers computing courses and walk-in access to computers for Waiariki students.

Waiariki Values

  1. Honesty / Whakapono
  2. Whanaungatanga / Inclusion, family, learning together
  3. Mana / Honour, prestige, guiding values
  4. Spiritualism / Wairuatanga
  5. Unity / Kotahitanga
  6. Mohiotanga / Life-long learning, quality teaching, academic excellence
  7. Aroha / Unconditional giving
  8. Caring and Supportive / Manaakitanga

Waiariki Values - A4 Poster (PDF 297KBs)