NMIT to be standalone
The Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) will become a standalone polytech again from next year.
Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced the change on Monday as part of the Government’s plan to reverse Labour’s polytechnic reforms, which merged institutions into the centralised entity Te Pūkenga.
NMIT was among the institutes that made a case for being returned to regional control, with support from the region’s mayors, iwi and business leaders. It is one of 10 polytechs that will become standalone again from January next year.
NMIT executive director Olivia Hall said the decision was a strong vote of confidence in the institute’s ability to meet the needs of learners and the region.
She said the institute had worked hard to strengthen its financial position.
“Thanks to our efforts to grow income and achieve savings, we’re now forecasting a shift from an expected $2 million deficit to a surplus of over $1 million by the end of 2025. This follows over five years of annual deficits of up to $5 million,” she said.
There was also a 12% increase in enrolments compared to this time last year, including a 36% increase in international learners.
Hall said the focus was now on ensuring a smooth transition.
“We’re committed to continuity and care for our learners and kaimahi during this next phase of change.”
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said the announcement was the “best news for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough”.
Smith said NMIT was founded in 1905 with land donated by Nelson City Council and it grew into one of country’s most successful polytechnics. It was well governed and had $12 million in cash reserves.
“We felt hard done by when the financial problems of others forced it into the mega-merged Te Pūkenga,” he said. “The extra bureaucracy of Te Pūkenga added costs and weakened local industry links. Talented staff were lost in the turmoil. Nelson also lost the opportunity to market our city’s unique advantages as a great place to study.”
Smith said the region was one of New Zealand’s most geographically isolated, meaning NMIT was the only opportunity for many to upskill and gain a tertiary education.
“We also have a unique range of industries with specialist skill requirements such as viticulture, where we produce 85% of NZ’s wine and 60% of NZ’s seafood exports from our fishing and aquaculture industries. Our region also has a strong aviation sector and connections with the RNZAF Base Woodbourne.”
Smith said there was now a big job ahead to rebuild NMIT.
Key steps would be re-establishing links with local industry and redeveloping NMIT’s international brand and market.
By Warren Gable, Nelson Mail
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