NMIT ‘ecstatic’ after return to local governance

Background preparation work for a return to stand alone operations has left the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) well placed to go it alone.

The Government revealed a reformatting of Te Pukenga at the end of 2023 and last week announced that NMIT is one of ten tertiary institutions returning to local governance.

Executive Director Olivia Hall says she and the NMIT leadership team were “ecstatic” to find out that they will be stand-alone from 2026.

“Now it’s mostly transition work behind the scenes like legally returning to NMIT and returning to having our own governance board from across our region, but we’re ensuring there’s minimal impact for both learners and staff.

“The viability work has been well documented, but it’s credit to our local teams that have continued to engage with industry and community continue to look after our learners, look for growth opportunities, as well as being financially prudent.”

The institute has started recovering both teaching numbers – a 12 percent increase in enrolments from last year, including a 36 percent increase in international learners – and financially, forecasting a $1 million surplus to end 2025.

Olivia says that the focus on a smooth transition back into independence, and a target on meeting local needs with internationally recognised specialities, is already underway.

“We are looking to refresh and revive to match local needs, benefit from specialised tertiary education facilities in New Zealand with wine, maritime, aeronautical engineering and aquaculture, and continue attracting national learners, international recruitment and offshore partnerships.

“We want it to be done with support from the wider community as well, with viticulture and wine building close relationships with Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier, as well as the recent mayor’s visit to Ningxia with our relationships with the universities there in China.

“Hosting Bragato and the Living Lab in Marlborough brings eyes, education, and exceptional research to us as we move into more of a competitive space again, but we do hope that a lot of the relationships we’ve formed continue, particularly at a tutor level.

“They love connecting, because it’s sharing knowledge, best practice, and passionate subject matter experts should benefit all learners.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our industry, iwi and community partners and look forward to working together to shape a strong future for vocational education in Te Tauihu.”