Whitireia & WelTecWhitireia & WelTec is a combined vocational tertiary provider in the Wellington region, with campuses in Petone and Porirua, and forms part of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST).
About
Two institutions with their own long histories, Whitireia and WelTec, now operate together under one name as part of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST). They describe themselves as one of the most honoured tertiary institutions in the country, and their shared vision — expressed in both English and te reo Māori — is about learning together and changing lives.
Relationships with local iwi sit at the core of the organisation: WelTec is linked with Te Āti Awa and Whitireia with Ngāti Toa. Its four values are expressed as Māori concepts — Whakapapa, Whānaungatanga, Manaaki and Tikanga — and its stated goals include caring for the heritage of both institutions, strengthening communities across Wellington and beyond, turning out capable and resilient graduates, staying accessible and flexible, and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori. Its two tohu, Ākonga and Kaitiakitanga, were designed by Manukorihi Winiata around the ideas of Kotahitanga (unity) and Poutama (the pursuit of knowledge).
The focus is vocational education closely tied to employers. The website sets out its industry connections, options to upskill or retrain, research activity and its own Taikura quality management system. The institution publishes the Whitireia Journal of Nursing, Health & Social Services, and runs Wellington Trades Academy and a Secondary Schools Hub for school students.
What stands out
- Two institutions, one organisation. Whitireia and WelTec work as a single provider within NZIST while keeping their distinct histories and community links.
- Iwi partnerships. WelTec partners with Te Āti Awa and Whitireia with Ngāti Toa, and the organisation's values are framed in Māori terms.
- An in-house research journal. The Whitireia Journal of Nursing, Health & Social Services publishes work across nursing, health and social services.
- A regional construction school. The Wellington Regional School of Construction is a dedicated site for building and construction training.
Campus and study
Teaching is spread across several sites in the Wellington region: Te Awakairangi Campus in Petone, Whitireia Campus in Porirua and the Wellington Regional School of Construction. Campus maps and a student guide are available online, and coursework is delivered through Moodle. Some services are open to the public, and campus spaces can be booked by outside groups.
For international students
Prospective international students have a dedicated International Enrolments section on the website. New students are welcomed through an orientation programme, and practical details about campuses and study are gathered in the Student Guide.
Based on the provider’s official website; status from the NZQA register (checked 30.09.2026): provider website · NZQA register record