On 1 January 2026 vocational education and training in New Zealand marked a turning point. After years of centralisation, uncertainty, and disconnection between learners, providers, and employers, we are rebuilding a system that truly serves our regions and industries.
As of the start of this year, ten regionally governed polytechnics and eight new Industry Skills Boards are now officially in operation. This is more than a structural shift — it is the start of a stronger, more responsive vocational education and training system. One that is fixing the basics and building the future.
For too long, decision-making has been pulled away from local communities. The centralised model weakened accountability, slowed responsiveness, and left many regional employers struggling to find the skilled workers they needed. We promised to return control to the people who know their communities best, and now that promise is a reality.
Our re-established polytechnics are once again empowered to shape training that reflects the needs of their region — whether that’s nurses in the North, construction workers in the South, IT professionals in the major centres, or specialist trades everywhere in between. Each polytechnic will be able to make decisions with the agility and accountability that had been lost. This sets the stage for restoring public and industry confidence in vocational education and training.
At the same time, eight new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) have been launched to place employers back at the centre of work-based learning. Covering sectors from construction, food and fibre, and infrastructure to health, services and technology, the ISBs will set standards, endorse programmes, and ensure apprentices and trainees gain qualifications that industry trusts. Whether people are training on campus or on the job, their learning will now be closely aligned with real employment opportunities.
That’s great news for Invercargill and Southland, where Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) plays a central role in supporting the region’s workforce. Local governance means SIT can respond more directly to the skills employers need — from agriculture and horticulture to construction, health, trades, and emerging industries. Restoring regional control gives SIT the tools to help drive strong economic growth across Southland.
This is a practical, future-focused reset: returning local voice, strengthening pathways into work, and ensuring training reflects what employers actually need. We are rebuilding a system that delivers real skills, real jobs, and real value — for learners, employers, and regional New Zealand.
There is more work ahead. But today’s changes lay the platform for long-term stability, stronger communities, and a workforce ready to support New Zealand’s future growth.
As we enter 2026, I am optimistic. We are fixing the basics and building the future — and our vocational education and training system is stronger for it.
By Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Vocational Education