Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and Waikato Institute of Technology – Wintec - has announced it will move into Te Pūkenga on May 31 2022.

This early move by the two subsidiary Institute of Technology and Polytechnics - ITPs - marks the first time ākonga will be directly part of the new national vocational education provider, rather than a regional subsidiary.

Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Stephen Town is pleased to welcome Toi Ohomai and Wintec into the Te Pūkenga whānau.

"Welcoming Wintec and Toi Ohomai ākonga, kaimahi, Tiriti partners, employers and stakeholders is a key milestone for Te Pūkenga. Wintec and Toi Ohomai are important community members and I acknowledge their standing and strengths," says Stephen.

"Te Pūkenga is committed to continued vocational education excellence in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. Tiriti partners and Māori stakeholders are important to this commitment and the change in structure. All three organisations have appreciated Tiriti partner and Māori stakeholder engagement with this process.”

"Wintec and Toi Ohomai Boards have played an integral role in supporting these two organisations to be change-ready and to make this move. As part of this process, Wintec and Toi Ohomai Boards will dissolve,” says Te Pūkenga Chair Murray Strong

'Te Pūkenga management and an interim reference group, made up of at least two Te Pūkenga Council members and two additional members to enhance our Te Tiriti relationship will be established to support Toi Ohomai and Wintec through until the Operating Model implementation," says Murray.

Wintec Board Chair Niwa Nuri says as a board they were happy to engage with Te Pūkenga to become an ‘early mover'.

'The decision of Te Pūkenga to proceed reflects the same level of confidence we as board have, in the readiness of the early mover ITPs to undertake this" says Niwa.

"Bringing Toi Ohomai and Wintec into Te Pūkenga whānau early will enable a low-risk phased approach, giving assurance and confidence as we move the rest of the sector by 1 January 2023," says Toi Ohomai Board Chair Cathy Cooney.

Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Dr Leon Fourie will take on the role as Toi Ohomai / Wintec Transitional Lead and Wintec Chief Executive Dave Christiansen will take on the role of Te Pūkenga ITP Transition Lead. Both roles will report to Te Pūkenga.

Toi Ohomai and Wintec, alongside Te Pūkenga, are committed to ensuring the ongoing success of our current and future ākonga. Their learning, qualifications and the people who support them will not change.

"As Chief Executive I know Wintec is ready for this,” says Wintec Chief Executive Dave Christiansen. 'Our staff have demonstrated resilience, dedication and commitment to their roles, and to our learners.

'Wintec has made a significant contribution to this region over many years and this will continue. After 22 years at Wintec, and nearly four as CE, this is quite a change for me personally. I leave knowing that we've achieved a lot and that Wintec will be in great hands with Leon - he's a talented and committed leader and I'm looking forward to contributing to the further success of Te Pūkenga in a different capacity," says Dave.

"I acknowledge and appreciate the responsibility Te Pūkenga has placed in my hands - ensuring we maintain our commitment to ākonga and communities across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato,” says Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Dr Leon Fourie.

'We will continue to build on the strengths of Wintec and Toi Ohomai and their contributions to their regions. I look forward to working with the talented executive teams and staff across both organisations as we look to build to the next level of delivery across the wider rohe," says Dr Fourie.

"This is another important step in implementing Te Pūkenga Operating Model ahead of 1 January 2023,” says Stephen. 'There is significant change ahead as we stand up Te Pūkenga, having Wintec and Toi Ohomai kaimahi, ākonga, and Chief Executives join us on this phase of our transformation journey is an honour.”