NMIT graduate numbers continue to climb
Enrolment numbers are on the rise at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), with 150 more graduates attending ceremonies in Nelson this year compared to last.
Around 440 people took part in graduation events in the city on Friday compared to 285 last year, largely due to Certificate and Diploma graduands being encouraged to attend alongside people awarded Degrees and Masters, NMIT said.
Parades through Nelson were held before instead of after the usual morning and afternoon ceremonies at the Trafalgar Centre, which was filled almost to capacity with graduates and supporters at both events.
In Marlborough, graduate attendee numbers jumped to 86 this year compared to 54 last year.
A total of 2870 people were approved to graduate from NMIT’s four campuses including Richmond and Woodbourne in 2025, the institute said.
That compared to 2789 in 2024, a figure 10% higher than 2023.
NMIT executive director Olivia Hall said the numbers reflected continued high course completion rates at the institute, with the highest number of graduates successfully completing their qualifications for over 10 years.
The rise in graduate numbers at ceremonies this week in Nelson and Blenheim could also be attributed to strong numbers in Mātuaranga Māori and Foundation programmes attending, Hall said.
There was increased attendance from international learners, including 90 attending from the Master of Applied Management, with 239 learners enrolled in that programme for 2026, she said.
Enrolments rose overall, with domestic enrolments up 10% at NMIT in 2025 and international enrolments up 37%.
Primary Industries and Environmental programmes like horticulture and conservation saw the biggest growth, with learners up from 887 to 1004 – the highest number in five years.
There were 106 first year nursing students, and consistent demand for NMIT’s specialist programmes in subjects like adventure tourism, aquaculture and aviation engineering – with the latter being expanded to to meet demand, Hall said.
NMIT’s graduate numbers represented the dedication of learners and strength of support behind them, she said.
Overall, NMIT had performed significantly better than sector trends, she said.
Some Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) had seen falling enrolments and budget challenges, as well as uncertainty due to the creation and disestablishment of Te Pūkenga over five years.
“NMIT has not only weathered a challenging period for the sector, we have grown stronger,” Hall said.
The ITP “fought hard” to return to financial viability, moving from a $5 million deficit, to a surplus of over $1m, allowing it to become a standalone entity again, she said.
“This progress reflects the trust our community and industries place in us, and our commitment to offering programmes that meet workforce needs.”
NMIT was looking forward to officially starting as a standalone polytechnic next year, she said.
“Regional focus is critical. We will continue to respond quickly to local industry needs.”
By Katy Jones, Nelson Mail
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