Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, also known simply as Toi Ohomai, is a New Zealand tertiary education institute. Toi Ohomai is a provider of vocational education for over 14,000 students, including more than 1,400 international students studying at over 86 different delivery sites across the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato region. Offering around 200 different programmes and study options ranging from certificate level to post-graduate level in courses such as Business, Forestry, Engineering, Hospitality, Tourism, Trades and many more. Toi Ohomai provides vocational education in order to make graduates employable and "work ready" with relative skills that employers need. New Zealand's vocational education system is an important part of the New Zealand tertiary education institute as it supplies employers and industry with the skilled employees they require while also ensuring vocational learners get consistent, effective and quality training.
Toi Ohomai has five main campuses in Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō, Tokoroa and Whakatāne. It is the largest tertiary education provider in the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato regions. Toi Ohomai was formed on 1 May 2016, when Waiariki Institute of Technology and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic officially merged to become the Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, later being renamed Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology on 7 October 2016. This merger ensured the employment and education needs of the region were met more effectively.
Toi Ohomai is the third-largest of New Zealand's 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) which also includes The Wellington Institute of Technology or WelTec and Whitireia.
Mission statement and values Toi Ohomai has a set of values which are defined by the institute's vision to empower people and communities, in conjunction with their purpose of partnering with iwi, industry and communities to deliver innovative learning. The Toi Ohomai values were developed and launched in May 2018 following an extensive engagement and consultation with staff. The set of four values were named Toi Ohomaitanga, and include:
Toitūtanga — defined by Toi Ohomai's staff and students courageous and humble pursuit of excellence Manaakitanga — dedication to upholding and strengthening the mana of others and communities Whanaungatanga — building and nurturing relationships and connections that enhance Toi Ohomai's purpose and vision Kotahitanga — being united in the shared purposes and responsibilities of Toi Ohomai
History Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is the result of a merger between two high-performing polytechnics: the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga.
Waiariki Institute of Technology The Waiariki Institute of Technology has roots back to 1881, when the Rotorua College and Grammar School Endowments were established by the New Zealand Government. Early conceptions of tertiary education in Rotorua came in 1910, when locals suggested a technical school should be established. Technical education in Rotorua came to fruition when the Rotorua Boys' High School (founded in 1914) established their Technical Department in 1939. This focused on carpentry, electrical wiring, engineering, arts and crafts, home cookery, and secretarial work. Rotorua Boys' High School's technical division merged with Rotorua Girls' High School's Business college in 1972 to create the Senior Technical Division, which was placed under the Rotorua High School's Board of Governors in 1976. To accommodate this division, building on Mokoia Drive in Rotorua commenced, with the newly named Waiariki Community College being opened on 1 April 1978. An 'outpost' in Tokoroa, previously established by the Senior Technical Division in 1973, became the first regional campus for Waiariki, with additional campuses being opened in Whakatāne, Taupō, Tūrangi, and Kawerau in the 1980s. During this time, further courses such as tourism, hospitality, nursing, journalism, Māori studies, and forestry were added to Waiariki's curriculum. In 1987, the college's name was changed to Waiariki Polytechnic. It was changed again to The Waiariki Institute of Technology in 1998.
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, initially named Bay of Plenty Community College, was established on 1 September 1982 as a local community college in Tauranga. It offered a mix of courses in secretarial and office administration, carpentry, automotive engineering, agriculture, and horticulture. Over one third of student admissions focused on horticulture, which reflected Tauranga's needs at the time. The college was built on Poike Road in Tauranga, and is now known as Windermere Campus. Poike Road is land significant to the Ngāti Ranginui hapū who inhabit it. "Poike" roughly translates to "arrive late at night" in Māori, indicative of the late night meetings characteristic of the hapū. In 1988 the organisation's name was officially changed to The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. The same year saw the completion of the Rex Williams Student Amenities Centre and an atrium, part of a major horticulture complex within the Polytechnic. New training programmes were also developed in areas such as fashion, tourism, and hospitality. Three years later in 1991, the Polytechnic's second major campus, The Bongard Centre (named after Bill Bongard, the first community college council chairperson) was established in central Tauranga. This provided a space for office systems and various programmes. During the 1990s, Māori-centred programmes were added to acknowledge the Ngāti Ranginui hapū and local Māori communities, furthering the Polytechnic's relationship with local Māori. In 1997, Windermere's horticulture complex was repurposed into a hospitality studies centre, and the Bongard Centre opened a video conference space to facilitate long distance learning. From 2000 to 2003, two new learning centres were built: Te Aongahoro — The Student Learning Centre, which featured a library, cafe, and lecture theatres; and Te Pare a Ruahine — The Aquatic Centre for Pacific Coast Applied Research. In 2008, a partnership with the University of Waikato was formed to share facilities and resources to provide better pathways and enhance the skills of the region.
Merger into Toi Ohomai, 2016–2019 On 1 May 2016, these two institutions merged to become the Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. This became Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology on 7 October 2016. The name was gifted to the organisation by local iwi within the region, and means "to achieve great heights; to be awakened by learning". The name aims to inspire students to pursue excellence in their studies and focus their mindset on learning, while also acknowledging the mana whenua and significance of the land where Toi Ohomai conducts their education. Toi Ohomai was created in order to serve the region's education and employment needs more efficiently, ensuring better education and employment outcomes for young Māori by providing greater access for dispersed communities throughout the region.
Te Pūkenga, 2019–2025 On 1 August 2019, then–Minister of Education Chris Hipkins announced a proposal to reform vocational education in New Zealand. Which aimed to create a unified vocational education system that responded to the needs of employees and students. This led to the creation of Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) on 1 April 2020 which joined all 16 of the ITPs into a single, national, unified network of regionally accessible vocational education and training. This included Toi Ohomai, which became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga on 1 April 2020.
On 31 May 2022, Toi Ohomai, along with Waikato Institute of Technology, announced they would directly become a part of the national vocational education provider in Te Pūkenga, instead of simply being a subsidiary institute.
On 7 December 2023, the newly-elected Sixth National Government, as a part of their 100-day plan, announced the disestablishment of Te Pukenga effective on 31 December 2026, moving away from a centralised model to establish a system of stand-alone polytechnics. The disestablishment of Te Pukenga has direct implications to Toi Ohomai, with the institute already facing a reduction of 21 full-time equivalent roles and 16 programmes ranging from youth work, health, forestry and hairdressing being discontinued as of 2025.
In mid-July 2025, the Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that the Government would return Toi Ohomai and nine other polytechnics to regional governance by 1 January 2026.
Independence, 2026–present On 1 January 2026, Toi Ohomai formally left Te Pukenga to become an independent entity again. In mid-February 2026, the Government allocated NZ$20 million to Toi Ohomai to support its transition. Courses Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology offers an array of courses across various disciplines, including business, horticulture, construction, fashion, music, healthcare and teaching alongside a number of short, free and online courses. Their programs are designed to give students practical skills and knowledge that align with industry demands.
Subjects The full list of subjects offered are as follow:
Accounting Agriculture Animal care and veterinary nursing Architecture Automotive Beauty therapy Bridging and foundation skills Business Carpentry and construction Computing and IT Creative Culinary, baking and hospitality Educational Pathways Electrotechnology and Electrical Engineering and Welding English language Environmental management Fashion Forestry Graphic design Hairdressing and barbering Health and safety Health care Horticulture Kaupapa Maori Legal studies Maritime studies Maritime Massage therapy Music and performance Nursing Organics Police and defense force Real estate Social services Sport and recreation Surveying Te Reo Maori Teaching Tourism and travel
Undergraduate programs Below are some of the available bachelor's degrees:
Bachelor of Creative Industries (BCI) is one of the Bay of Plenty's most highly regarded creative degrees. Students can major in Visual Arts, Graphic Design or Fashion Design. The course emphasizes Sustainable, ethical and professional practice and guidance from experienced professionals. Bachelor of Applied Information Technology, a three-year degree focusing on areas like programming, web development and cyber security. Bachelor of Nursing, which combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice, aims to create competent and compassionate nursing professionals. Bachelor of Applied Hospitality and Tourism Management. This degree offers practical experience and demonstrates how to create an incredible visitor experience. Students will perfect operational, managerial and business skills and learn to create their own services or products.
Post graduate programs Below are some of the available master's degrees:
Master of Management: Teaches advanced knowledge in strategic management, leadership and research, particularly in areas of business health and hospitality. Master of Applied Professional Studies (Adult Teaching): Focuses on adult learning theories and applied research, catering to professionals aiming to enhance their teaching capabilities. Assessments directly support employment. Master of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management): emphasizes environmental stewardship and research, delivered in partnership with Unitec, to address biodiversity challenges.
Staff Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology employs a team of educators across its faculties who emphasize practical and industry-aligned teaching. The institute has small class sizes that personalize learning.