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RNZ News
26-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Wellington's Te Kāhui Auaha campus could close under proposal
Tapere Nui theatre at Te Auaha. Photo: A question mark hangs over the fate of Te Kāhui Auaha campus in central Wellington, with a proposal that may see it close in the face of declining student numbers. The creative campus on the corner of Cuba Street and Dixon Street opened in 2018, and its facilities include two theatres, a 55-seater cinema, an exhibition gallery and a performance studio. News of a potential closure surfaced earlier this year, when Whitireia and WelTec - which are part of Te Pūkenga and run Te Kāhui Auaha - said the roll had dropped from 600 in 2018 to fewer than 200 in February. Arts community leaders expressed concern it would remove an integral part of the area's creative and economic eco-system. Now, documents seen by RNZ show the campus never reached its goal of 1000 students. In fact, domestic and international full-time students are declining, and the polytech is running at a budgeted deficit of just over $12 million - a decrease on the previous year's deficit of nearly $19m in 2024. Director of teaching and learning Dr Leanne Ivil wrote: "We may not be delivering teaching and learning in Te Kāhui Auaha in 2026, and there will be downsizing of our physical footprint at our Whitireia Porirua and Petone campuses." Nearly a dozen programmes are proposed be cut by the end of 2026, including diplomas in drama, performing arts and dance, and certificates in mechanical engineering, hospitality, business administration and technology, and music. The proposal said the nature of specialist space and equipment required to deliver performing arts delivery (dance, drama, and musical theatre) against the volume of students made the courses "no longer tenable". Some of those could be transferred to community or private groups, and others would be relocated to Whitireia's Petone campus. In a statement, Ivil told RNZ consultation on the changes would close next month, and the decision on the fate of the campus would be finalised by July. She said no decision had been made on the future of the building or it's facilities and it was too early to estimate how much money would be saved by the move. Ivil said the majority of students currently enrolled at the campus would complete their studies by the end of this year, but for those who did not, they would find out later this year where they would be completing their study. Te Pūkenga declined RNZ's request for an interview, and directed questions to the Vocational education minister's office. The Tertiary Education Union's Drew Mayhem said consultation - which began in 2022 over the future viability of music programmes - had marked the beginning of a "death spiral" for creativity programmes at the polytechnic. "We told them at the time that music was the heart and soul of the creative campus and that losing that would be the beginning," Mayhem said. Since then, the film and screen programmes had been "considerably diminished" by internal restructures, and last year, it lost its Pasifika performing arts programme, the only one of its kind in the country. "It seems that the school of creativity within WelTec, Whitireia is going to cease to exist." Mayhem placed responsibility for the cuts at the feet of government's decision to dismantle Te Pūkenga , and restructure the training organisations into a handful of separate entities once again. "It's only because the minister has directed the individual institutions to try and stand alone, which is directly the cause of these cost cutting measures," Mayhem said. Vocational education minister Penny Simmonds. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Vocational education minister Penny Simmonds said the government was committed to replacing Te Pūkenga, and decisions regarding individual polytechnics would be made mid-year. From next year, the government would introduce an "independent, industry-led work-based learning model" which "puts apprentices and trainees at the centre of all decisions made related to trades training and places industry back in the driver's seat", Simmonds said. "As the minister, I am not privy to information regarding the operational decisions that polytechnics might contemplate. "However, I would suggest that it is important for Whitireia and Weltec, as it is for all polytechnics, to be taking appropriate actions to ensure their overall viability and maintain their relationships, and it is my understanding that Te Kāhui Auaha campus is not financially viable," she said. A Whitireia and WelTec staff member - who did not want to be named - described a meeting outlining the changes last week as "an absolute shambles", and said despite a month long consultation period, the presentation to staff made the move feel like "a forgone conclusion". "Since 2019 they have cancelled or moved around 7-8 creative programmes which makes it even more unaffordable. It's been a death by 1000 cuts," they said. "They keep talking about student numbers being low, but how can they be high or grow when you cut programmes or move them to other campuses to die?" Wellington's mayor Tory Whanau. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Wellington's mayor Tory Whanau said in February she had sent Simmonds, and finance minister Nicola Willis, a letter outlining her concerns over the closure, describing it as "a blow felt across all the creative industries in Wellington's economy and cultural life at large". "I urged them to consider how the government could support keeping Te Auaha open given its importance to students and our local arts and events scene," Whanau said. "This was supported by 38 letters from Wellington arts organisations and Te Auaha graduates." "Unfortunately, Minister Simmonds has declined to take any action to save Te Auaha. I am talking to local arts organisations about what else can be done to keep Te Auaha open," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Weltec And Whitireia Cuts A Shocking Blow For Their Communities
Press Release – Tertiary Education Union These short-sighted moves rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, … Staff at Weltec and Whitireia have been left reeling by a change proposal, announced today, that if confirmed will see nearly 60 positions disestablished. This number represents over one in five academic staff members. Programmes facing the axe include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Fabrication, Light Automotive Engineering, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Writing, Publishing, Cookery, Baking and Hospitality. In addition there are 6 full time equivalent roles proposed to go in the libraries and Māori carving and weaving programmes are under threat. Also of great concern it the loss of programmes that provide Skills for Learning and Working for students with disabilities. Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sandra Grey says 'this proposal is an enormous blow to the young people, the community and the people of the Wellington region. These short-sighted moves, carried out at the behest of Penny Simmonds and her government, rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, and tell our stories to the world. Helen Johnston, TEU Branch President at Whitireia says 'I feel for our community – Whitireia is the lifeblood of the region and it's our young people, our students, who are ultimately hurt the most at times like this. I worry about those who may miss out on the future they deserve and I worry for the quality of their education that will be delivered by the depleted stadd who will remain. Leo Pirini, Te Uepu Representitive at Weltec says 'I'm shocked. This is a big blow and my heart goes out to my colleagues who are impacted by this – they are all great people and talented educators. Some of them have been very long serving and loyal to their students and their institution. It's heartbreaking.'
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Weltec And Whitireia Cuts A Shocking Blow For Their Communities
Staff at Weltec and Whitireia have been left reeling by a change proposal, announced today, that if confirmed will see nearly 60 positions disestablished. This number represents over one in five academic staff members. Programmes facing the axe include Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Fabrication, Light Automotive Engineering, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Writing, Publishing, Cookery, Baking and Hospitality. In addition there are 6 full time equivalent roles proposed to go in the libraries and Māori carving and weaving programmes are under threat. Also of great concern it the loss of programmes that provide Skills for Learning and Working for students with disabilities. Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sandra Grey says 'this proposal is an enormous blow to the young people, the community and the people of the Wellington region. These short-sighted moves, carried out at the behest of Penny Simmonds and her government, rob future generations of study options, our future workforce of skilled workers and our future communities and regional economies of people who can build our infrastructure, cook for and entertain us and our future tourists, and tell our stories to the world. Helen Johnston, TEU Branch President at Whitireia says 'I feel for our community – Whitireia is the lifeblood of the region and it's our young people, our students, who are ultimately hurt the most at times like this. I worry about those who may miss out on the future they deserve and I worry for the quality of their education that will be delivered by the depleted stadd who will remain. Leo Pirini, Te Uepu Representitive at Weltec says 'I'm shocked. This is a big blow and my heart goes out to my colleagues who are impacted by this – they are all great people and talented educators. Some of them have been very long serving and loyal to their students and their institution. It's heartbreaking.'
