A new partnership between Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Whitireia Community Polytechnic Ltd (Whitireia) and Wellington Institute of Technology Ltd (WelTec) will significantly boost tertiary study opportunities in the capital city.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the three institutions that will strengthen the relationship between the three, particularly in providing expanded academic pathways for students in a number of disciplines and the opportunity for the institutions to collaborate on events and engagement.

As part of the closer relationship, Te Herenga Waka – Wellington University will be delivering some of its programmes in creative disciplines from Whitireia and WelTec’s state-of-the-art Te Kāhui Auaha facility in central Wellington.  

From 1 January 2022, the University will lease the third floor of Te Kāhui Auaha, which is on the corner of Cuba and Dixon streets and is a few minutes’ walk from the University’s Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation in Vivian Street.

Te Herenga Waka Chief Operating Officer, Mark Loveard says the leased space will provide excellent facilities for students, beginning with students in Communication Design, Museum and Heritage Studies, and potentially other programmes.

“This will see these students located in the heart of Wellington’s creative centre, and provide exciting opportunities for collaboration, as well as allowing us valuable space to expand.”

Mark Oldershaw, Chief Executive of Whitireia and Weltec, says, “We look forward to Te Herenga Waka co-locating with us in Wellington’s creative quarter and to the many other opportunities we will be able to offer our students through our strengthened partnership.”

Professor Grant Guilford, Vice-Chancellor, says, “We enjoy a close and trusted working relationship with Whitireia and Weltec, and look forward to this deepening further over the coming months.”