History

Photo Album:

 

A short history of Bay of Plenty Polytechnic:

21 September 1982

• Official opening of Bay of Plenty Community College
• 15 staff

1988

• Name changed to Bay of Plenty Polytechnic
• Completion of Rex Williams Student Amenities Centre, including a childcare centre and a cafeteria
• Development of fashion, textile, hospitality, tourism and television training programmes, the latter fully equipped with studio and editing suites

1991

• Construction of Bongard Centre for business, computing and hairdressing programmes
• 1,159 EFTS
• 219 staff

1997

• Transformation of horticulture centre into hospitality studies centre including the commercial training restaurant the “Atrium Restaurant”
• Set-up video-conferencing unit at Bongard Centre to facilitate distance learning
• Establishment of school structure with five schools: Business Studies, Education and Social Sciences, Retail and Design, Industrial Trades and Applied Science, and Tutara Wananga
• 1,426 EFTS
• 118 staff

2000

• Opening of Te Aongahoro (Student Learning Centre – Library, Education Development Centre, Copy Centre, small café and also some lecture theatres)
• Tauranga Moana bestowed the designation of Te Kuratini o Poike
• Commencment of first full-time evening programmes in business and computing
• 1,892 EFTS, 3,947 students
• 213 staff

2003

• Opening of Pacific Coast Applied Research Centre and introduced Pacific Coast Scholarship
• Commencement of free introductory programme in Te Reo Maori through four ½ hour weekly radio broadcasts on Moana AM over ten weeks
• 2,703 EFTS, 17,964 students (reflects increase in part-time programme enrolment)
• 278 staff

2007

• 25th jubilee
• 3,000 EFTS, over 12,600 students
• 330 staff
• Over 100 full-time programmes
• Over 100 part-time and blended programmes