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Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has brushed aside objections and moved to merge Rotorua-based Waiariki Institute of Technology and Tauranga’s Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.
The Keep Waiariki Local group marched against the merger, with organiser Tamati Coffey saying it could result in tertiary education being shipped out of the city.
But Mr Joyce says the new combined institution will provide significant benefits for learners across the Bay of Plenty including improved access to education and improved academic quality.
It will be able to better meet the needs of industries, businesses and communities across the whole region.
Leadership, corporate and academic functions will be shared equitably across the two existing hub campuses in Rotorua and Tauranga.
Mr Joyce says centres of excellence will be established linked to key industries in the region including tourism and hospitality, forestry and wood processing, marine and aquaculture, and transport and logistics.
There will also be a strong relationship with the University of Waikato.
The new Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic kicks off in May 2016.
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