International Student Survey
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Types of Tertiary Education Providers in Aotearoa New Zealand

An overview of the following 4 types of NZ tertiary education providers: universities, ITPs or Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, Wānanga, and PTEs or Private Training Establishments.

Chartsiri K.

1/11/2026

Are you wanting to study abroad in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Do you want to pursue tertiary education here?

Here's some helpful information for you! You can read below and/or watch the video.

In New Zealand, the types of tertiary or post-secondary education providers include universities, ITPs or Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, Wānanga, and PTEs or Private Training Establishments [1], [2] .

  • UNIVERSITIES

    • There are eight New Zealand universities [1].

    • The universities here offer programmes ranging from English short courses and pre-degree foundation programmes to undergraduate and postgraduate certificate, diploma and degree programmes [3].

    • Some degrees are currently only taught at New Zealand universities, such as dentistry and law [4], [5], whereas other degrees, such as engineering and design [6], [7], are also offered at ITPs.

  • ITPs or INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY & POLYTECHNICS

    • ITP stands for Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics [8].

    • In New Zealand, there are currently ten regionally-governed ITPs and four that remain nationally governed [9].

    • ITPs offer hands-on vocational education [8].

    • Their programme options also include English and pathway certificates for students who don’t meet the English or academic requirements for direct entry into their higher level programmes [10], [11], such as undergraduate diplomas and degrees [12]. Some ITPs offer postgraduate programmes as well, with a few offering up to the doctoral degree level [13].

  • WĀNANGA

    • In Aotearoa New Zealand, there’s also one Wānanga that currently offers doctorate programmes available to international students [14], [15].

    • In this context, Wānanga refers to tertiary education providers that offer holistic learning opportunities guided by Māori principles and values [16], [17]. Māori are “tangata whenua – the people of the land” [18, Para. 1], the indigenous people of Aotearoa [19].

    • New Zealand has three legislated Wānanga [17], and all three are public institutions like all universities and ITPs in this country [20].

  • PTEs or PRIVATE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS

    • However, New Zealand also has PTEs or Private Training Establishments.

    • There are hundreds of PTEs throughout the country [21].

    • PTEs are diverse in location, size and the qualifications they offer, which can range from foundation to postgraduate programmes [21], [22].

    • Some PTEs specialise in a specific subject area; these include English language schools, tourism institutions and outdoor education centres, to name a few [23], [24], [25].

    • Other PTEs offer programmes across different disciplines [22].

  • NZQA ACCREDITATION & PROVIDER CATEGORY RATING

    • There are many options to choose from.

    • But, what’s important is making sure that the providers and programmes you are considering are accredited by NZQA, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority [26].

    • NZQA also assigns non-university providers a category from one to four based on their performance, with one being the highest quality rating.

    • You can check each provider’s category on NZQA’s website [27].

    • However, I’d recommend you start by using a programme search tool like the one on the Study with New Zealand website [28].

      • Then, visit each provider’s website for the most thorough and up-to-date info.

      • After that, check NZQA’s website [29].

    • If you search on NZQA first, you may find programmes that providers don’t currently offer.


Lastly, if you are a prospective, current or former international student currently aged 18 or above and are considering, pursuing or have pursued tertiary education in New Zealand, you may want to contribute to the International Students as Whole Human Beings project by sharing your experience. For more information, please visit and/or help share the following survey link:

Thank you and stay tuned for more articles and videos!

References

[1] NZ Ministry of Education, ‘Tertiary Education’. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/about-us/education-new-zealand/our-education-system/tertiary-education

[2] NZQA, ‘About Tertiary Education in New Zealand’, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed: Oct. 11, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/tertiary-education-in-new-zealand/about-tertiary-education-in-new-zealand

[3] ENZ, ‘University Courses’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?providerSubtype=University

[4] Dental Council of NZ, ‘Educational Institutions Offering Dental Programmes in New Zealand’. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://dcnz.org.nz/resources-and-publications/links/educational-institutions-offering-dental-programmes-in-new-zealand

[5] University of Auckland, ‘How to Qualify as a Lawyer in New Zealand’, The New Zealand Law Students’ Career Guide. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.lawcareerguide.ac.nz/qualify-as-a-lawyer-2/

[6] ENZ, ‘Engineering Courses at Universities and ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=engineering&providerSubtype=University&providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic

[7] ENZ, ‘Design Courses at Universities and ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=design&providerSubtype=University&providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic

[8] Tertiary Education Commission, ‘A Brief History of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) in New Zealand’. Jul. 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/4a3e011554/A-brief-history-of-Institutes-of-Technology-and-Polytechnics.pdf

[9] NZ Ministry of Education, ‘Regional Polytechnics to Be Re-Established from 2026’. Accessed: Jan. 07, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.education.govt.nz/news/regional-polytechnics-be-re-established-2026

[10] ENZ, ‘NZ Certificate in English Language Courses at ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=New+Zealand+Certificate+in+English+Language&providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic

[11] ENZ, ‘Pathway Courses at ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=Pathway&providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic

[12] ENZ, ‘Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Courses at ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic&levelOfStudy=Diploma&levelOfStudy=Bachelor%27s+Degree

[13] ENZ, ‘Postgraduate Courses at ITPs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?providerSubtype=Institute+of+Technology+or+Polytechnic&levelOfStudy=Master%27s+Degree&levelOfStudy=Postgraduate+Certificate+or+Diploma&levelOfStudy=Doctoral+Degree

[14] Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, ‘Postgraduate Programmes’. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.wananga.ac.nz/study/postgraduate-studies/

[15] Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, ‘Eligibility to Enrol’. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.wananga.ac.nz/enrolment/eligibility/

[16] ‘Te Wānanga o Aotearoa History’. [Online]. Available: https://www.twoa.ac.nz/-/media/Files/TeWananga/Library/TWoA_History.ashx?la=en&hash=FE172AEAF7C61F8A88F339FB944117C7A8FF8436

[17] Tertiary Education Commission, ‘Study and Train at Wānanga’, Tahatū Career Navigator. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://tahatu.govt.nz/study-and-training/study-and-training-providers/study-and-train-at-wananga

[18] Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand, ‘Māori’. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://teara.govt.nz/en/maori

[19] ENZ, ‘Learn About Māori Culture and Language’, NauMai NZ - Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/studying-in-nz/create-goals/learn-about-maori-culture

[20] Universities NZ, ‘About the University Sector’, Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/about-university-sector

[21] Tertiary Education Commission, ‘Study and Train at Private Training Establishments’, Tahatū Career Navigator. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://tahatu.govt.nz/study-and-training/study-and-training-providers/study-and-train-at-private-training-establishments

[22] Albany Senior High School, ‘Private Training Establishments’, ASHS Careers. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://careers.ashs.school.nz/further-study/private-training-establishments

[23] ENZ, ‘English Language Schools’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/education-provider/results?subtype=English+Language+School

[24] ENZ, ‘Tourism Courses at PTEs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=Tourism&providerSubtype=Private+Training+Establishment

[25] ENZ, ‘Adventure Courses at PTEs’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/course/results?query=Adventure&providerSubtype=Private+Training+Establishment

[26] NZQA, ‘Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules’, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed: Jul. 04, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/rules-fees-policies/nzqa-rules/approval-recognition-and-accreditation/

[27] NZQA, ‘Find Education Organisations’, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/index.do

[28] ENZ, ‘Explore Courses and Programmes in NZ’, Study with New Zealand. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/courses-and-programmes

[29] NZQA, ‘Qualifications - Advanced Search’, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed: Jan. 05, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/nzqf/search/results.do

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