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.

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

Creative Commons Images Used in Video

“An Aerial Photograph of Lincoln University in Lincoln” by BeckerFraserPhotos, CC BY-NC 3.0 / Cropped from Original

“Māngere Campus, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Auckland, New Zealand, 13 July 2009” by Phillip Capper, CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

“University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 12 June 2008” by Phillip Capper, CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

“Manu Tāwhiowhio: Bird Satellite”, a 1996 sculpture by Brett Graham, at the Auckland University of Technology City Campus, photo by Prosperosity, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"University of Auckland Clock Tower" by Colin Rose, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

“Open Polytechnic Main Entrance” by Alan Levine, CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

"Dilworth School of Agriculture Accommodation House (Former), a historic building part of the MIT Ōtara campus in Auckland, NZ" by Prosperosity, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology" by Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

“Wintec Curves” by Alan Levine, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) / Cropped from Original

“Northtec Campus View” by Alan Levine, CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

"Te Puna Wānaka at Ara Institute of Canterbury, Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand" by Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Downtown Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand" by Phillip Capper, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Unitec Waitākere Campus" by Prosperosity, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Vice Regal Welcome" by the New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Marae at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Palmerston North, New Zealand" by Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"A Christmas Sunset at Ōtaki Beach" by Lisa.Ng, CC BY-NC 2.0

"Media Design School" by Prosperosity, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

"Auckland Institute of Studies, St Helens Campus" by Prosperosity, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from Original

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