Simmonds Proud as SIT Marks 25 Years

The 25 year celebration of the Southern Institute of Technology's zero fees scheme this week, is a timely reminder of its significance to our province, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.

"This scheme effectively changed the face of tertiary education in the South and boosted economic growth, with its potential demise under the previous Labour-led Government a dark period for this province.

"The programme became a reality, in 2001, with a $7.25 million contribution from various Southland entities, including local authorities, the ILT, Community Trust South and local businesses.

"SIT was then able to offer zero-fees education, extending it in 2007, to include those enrolling to study remotely through the SIT2LRN faculty.

"As a result SIT grew from a small polytechnic, of about 1400 equivalent full-time students (EFTs), prior to zero-fees, to about 5000 at its peak.

"And it was estimated to annually contribute about $150m to the region's economy, with 40 percent of graduates remaining in Southland for work.

Reflecting on the scheme's growth, Simmonds noted the role played by then-Mayor Tim Shadbolt in driving its success. "There was no limit on growth because nobody had tried to grow this much before and there were things like technology were becoming available for us but what I think was the x factor was Mayor Tim that he bought for us marketing that we could never have paid for and so the fact that he had this wonderful idea. So he marketed it across the country in a way that we could never have afforded and I'm sure that was a large part of the success of Zero Fees."

"However, in August 2022, the future of zero fees was called into question, under the previous Labour-led Government's centralised polytechnic mega-merger plan.

"From the start of 2024 the scheme was cut back and was available only to students living in Southland.

"This was of grave concern, because I knew the loss of this scheme would be detrimental to our province and our local economy - and I fought hard to bring it back.

Editor's Note: Watch Penny Simmonds share the remarkable story of how the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) came to be.

It's a powerful reminder that Southland has never been a region that sits back and waits for Wellington to solve its problems. Instead, when faced with a challenge, Southlanders roll up their sleeves, work together, and make things happen.

I've always said it best: "Southlanders don't wait for the Government of the day to help — Southlanders get on and make shit happen." Mike.

Watch Penny Simmonds share the remarkable story of how the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) came to be.

"I am proud that this week we are able to celebrate 25 years of zero fees, with the National Government returning the scheme to Southland, and to students around the country through SIT2LRN.

"We have also disestablished Te Pukenga, with SIT now able to operate as an independent entity - with a return to local decision-making.

Local business's and organisations supporting the repatriated SIT. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

"This is all about meeting local student and industry needs, and allowing SIT to play to its strengths for the benefit of the whole province.

"We couldn't recover the hundreds of millions of dollars that Labour's failed polytechnic mega-merger cost this country - but we have returned SIT to the people of this province and I am confident that the future now is brighter than ever," Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds said.

Te Mauri Tini with his Waka Taua. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

Related: The Southern Institute of Technology is seeking Three Council MembersThe Southern Institute of Technology (Te Whare Wānanga o Murihiku) is seeking three experienced and forward-thinking individuals to join its Council.