Unitec Institute of Technology

Unitec (Māori: Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka) is the largest institute of technology in Auckland, New Zealand. 16,844 students study programmes from certificate to postgraduate degree level (levels 1 to 9) across a range of subjects. The main campus is situated in Mt Albert while a secondary Waitākere campus is situated in Henderson and there are various pop-ups throughout the North Shore. It also offers programs overseas. History Origins Unitec was founded as Carrington Technical Institute in 1976 on the Mt Albert site on Carrington road, which has 55 hectares of grounds. The area on which Unitec's main campus is located was formerly home to the Whau Lunatic Asylum, later known as Carrington Hospital. The name changed to Carrington Polytechnic in 1987 and then to "Unitec Institute of Technology" in 1994. Unitec applied for University status in 1999, but the Government ruled, somewhat controversially, in 2005 that Unitec did not meet the academic criteria of a university and would remain an Institute of Technology. Expansion In 2006, Unitec opened its Waitakere Campus in the centre of Henderson, West Auckland. The campus is a joint development with the former Waitakere City Council and includes the new Waitākere Central Library. Unitec's Waitakere campus offers introductory computing, community development, and nursing courses. In August 2011, Unitec opened a campus in Albany, on Auckland's North Shore, but it was closed in December 2016. On 1 April 2020, Unitec Institute of Technology became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) alongside the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs). Merger into Te Pūkenga, 2020–2025 In July 2018 Unitec made the news after revealing deficits totaling nearly $100 million over four years and prompting the Education Minister Chris Hipkins to consider interventions. It was not alone by September 2018 there were four of the country's polytechnics at a high financial risk with 10 making deficits and none were expected to make the surplus that the government required. In 2019 a major restructure across the polytechnic sector was announced. On 1 April 2020, Unitec was subsumed into Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institution of Skills & Technology) alongside the 15 other Institutions of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs). In 2023, Unitec started charging parking fees.(Unitec,2023) Merger with MIT In July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that Te Pūkenga would be disestablished. She also announced that Unitec and the Manukau Institute of Technology would be merged into a new polytechnic entity. On 1 January 2026, the combined Unitec/MIT polytechnic entity formally exited Te Pukenga and became an independent entity. In mid-February 2026, the Government allocated NZ$52 million to the combined Unitec/MIT polytechnic to assist with the transition. Campus libraries There are three libraries across the two campuses: Mt Albert, Te Puna Library Mt Albert, Building 1 Library Waitakere Campus Library Courses Study areas Animal Health, Management and Welfare Architecture: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design and Landscaping and Garden Design Arts: Art and Design (Graphic Design and Animation, Photography, Product and Furniture Design, Visual Arts), Performing Arts and Screen Arts (Acting, Contemporary Dance, Costume Design, Lighting and Sound, Props and Art Department) Bridging Education: Study and Career Preparation Business: Accounting and Finance, Digital Marketing, Management (Operations and Human Resources), Marketing, and Real Estate Computing and Information Technology: Business Intelligence, Computer Networks, Cloud Computing, Cyber security, Game Development, Internet of Things, Software Engineering Conservation, Ecology and Biodiversity Management Construction: Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Property Development, Construction Supervision Early Childhood Education Education Studies Engineering: Automotive, Civil, Electrical and Electronics, and Land Surveying Healthcare: Nursing and Medical Imaging Language Studies – Teaching English, Interpreting, English (as an additional language), IELTS, and Māori Policing Social Work and Community Development Sport, Exercise and Recreation: Exercise, Sport Coaching, and Community Sport and Recreation Supported Learning Trades: Automotive Engineering, Building and Carpentry, Electrical, Fabrication, Welding, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying Veterinary Nursing Qualifications Unitec teaches over 128 courses ranging from Short Courses to master's degrees. 12 Postgraduate Diploma and Master's Degree programs 33 Bachelors Diplomas and Graduate Diploma programs 17 Diploma programs 44 Academic certificate programs 22 Short Course programs The emphasis in all learning areas is for a lot of practical (hands-on) learning as well as theoretical learning. This differs from the traditional model of university-level tuition, which is predominantly theory. For example, the Introduction to Policing course is delivered in partnership with the New Zealand Police. Also, the School of Computing Science has an industry internship program with IBM, which includes the IBM Center at the Mt Albert (Carrington) Campus. References