A Unique Partnership

Tena koutou katoa. Nau mai.

Haere mai, me o koutou moemoea, o koutou tumanako me nga wawata i waihotia e nga
matakite o nga herenga waka i u mai ki
Tauranga huri noa ki te Moana a Toi.

The arrival of waka to these splendid shores
from at least a 1000 years ago is indeed a
testimony of why this place has rightfully
assumed the name of Tauranga
(anchorage).

The esteemed waka of Waikato, Tainui
came through the passageway next to
the majestic Mauao. The occasion of
Tainui first coming to Tauranga has
an embedded part in the oratory
of the iwi of Tauranga.

The partnership between the
University of Waikato and
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is
a natural extension of the long
historical ties and practices
between the peoples of
Waikato and Tauranga
Moana.

Paimarire

The University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic have been working together for more than a decade to increase tertiary education opportunities in Western Bay of Plenty.

There are 147,000 people in the Bay of Plenty, estimated to reach 198,000 by 2021 and 286,000 by 2051. By working in partnership, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato can offer bachelor-level degrees, as well as diplomas, to help raise the level of skills in the region and thereby help this community support its own economic growth.

Ongoing discussions with iwi, businesses and community leaders helped define priorities in relation to jointly delivered programmes. Consequently, courses in areas such as health management, computer science, marine studies, agri-business and graphic design, are being developed, alongside the accounting, marketing, tourism, management, law, finance, social work and Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Teacher Training currently offered.

University courses and qualifications complement and build on the Polytechnic’s certificate and diploma programmes and are tailored to the distinctive needs of the region. We’re in a much better position to address regional skill shortages by creating a unique portfolio of tertiary programmes specifically matched to our region’s needs and strengths. This partnership will also ensure there’s a research and development base which will assist in the development of new business opportunities as well as addressing the needs of existing businesses.

We see the development of this partnership as a significant and positive move for the future of tertiary education in the Bay of Plenty and we are committed to making it work. While it combines the strengths of the two institutions without creating a new one, it will provide students with the pathways to life-long learning opportunities in the Bay, benefiting both school leavers and those progressing their careers.