Wellington Institute of Technology

The Wellington Institute of Technology, also known as WelTec, is a New Zealand polytechnic based in Petone, Lower Hutt. WelTec was formed in 2001 by an amalgamation between the Central Institute of Technology (established in 1960) and the Hutt Valley Polytechnic (established in 1904) In 2020, WelTec, along with 15 other national polytechnics, became subsidiaries of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

WelTec delivers vocational education to about 8,000 students every year.

WelTec offers over 130 courses in disciplines ranging from hospitality, business, information technology, visual arts, counselling, engineering, construction and creativity.

History

Formation of Petone Technical School and name changes (1904–1960)

WelTec was formed in 1904 as the Petone Technical School at a different site in rented buildings. In 1908 the polytechnic moved to its current site in Petone on Kensington Avenue. The new technical school building (situated off Buick Street) was formally opened on 26 February 1909, by the Hon. G. Fowlds, the current Minister of Education at the time.

The polytechnic went through multiple name changes; including Petone Technical College, Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College, Petone Technical Institute and Hutt Valley Polytechnic.

Formation

The Central Institute of Technology (or CIT) was a polytechnic formed in 1960, originally as the Central Technical College before its name change in 1963. The polytechnic was originally based in the Petone Technical College. Construction of the Heretaunga site began in 1970, with the site moving in stages to the new campus.

The first stage of pharmacy, science and engineering departments, consisting of three lecture theatres and a block of classrooms, was opened by the Prime Minister at the time, Norman Kirk, on 27 April 1973. The second stage, a halls of residence, consisted of a seven-storey tower block providing accommodation for up to 500 students, along with training facilities for the polytechnics hotel administration courses. The halls of residence opened in February 1978. The third stage added a library, a television production studio, computer-training facilities, areas for training in heating, ventilation, and aeronautics, along with buildings for the management school. The fourth and final stage implemented health science facilities. Courses were transferred from Petone as Heretaunga facilities were completed.

Transfer of health sciences and protests

In mid-1989, the Minister of Health Helen Clark announced that the polytechnics pharmacy training classes would be moved to the University of Otago, and that occupational-therapy training would move to Auckland. She was met with protesters while attending a polytechnic teachers' conference in Trentham in May.

On 31 October 1989, as a result of the Department of Education's Wellington Regional Polytechnic review, the school of health sciences would be relocated to Wellington Polytechnic, closer to the hospital and the School of Nursing.

Premise upgrades

After a failed proposal to start a casino school in 1992, the podiatry school was opened in 1992 by Associate Minister of Health at the time, Katherine O'Regan. An aerobics facility was opened to the public the same year, following the entrance of YMCA into receivership and the closure of five of their gymnasiums.

Campuses and facilities

Petone

Petone is the main campus located on Kensington Ave. in Lower Hutt and includes the main administration departments, a learning commons with library, the Student Hub, and several blocks which serve different functions.

Wellington

The Wellington CBD campus is located on Dixon Street in the Wellington CBD. It is shared with Whitireia as part of their strategic partnership and the Wellington ICT Graduate School. The campus focuses on their business offerings. The campus was previously located on Church St in Wellington until 2017.

Wellington School of Construction

The Wellington School of Construction campus is located on State Highway 2 next to the Petone railway station. The campus was opened in 2015 and focuses on carpentry, painting and applied decorating. The campus covers 9,614m2 and therefore gives space for students to work on up to six houses.

Wellington School of Hospitality

The Wellington School of Hospitality campus is located on Cuba Street in the Wellington CBD. It was opened in 2015 and cost $11 million to build. The campus focusses of WelTec's hospitality offerings and has its own learning commons area, along with training restaurant Bistro 52 and training café Latte Lab, which are both open to the public.

Auckland

WelTec operated an Auckland campus, which was located on Queen Street in the Auckland CBD. It focused on social services including addictions and youth development,

Cafes and restaurants

WelTec offers cafes and restaurants on most campuses. A cafeteria is available on the Petone campus for staff and students, while training restaurant Bistro 52 and café Latte Lab are available to the public at the Cuba St campus.

Childcare

WelTec offers an early childcare centre called Te Whare Ako. Parents can utilize this service while studying at the campus.

Free bus

In conjunction with Whitireia, WelTec runs a free bus service between the Petone and the Whitireia campus located in Porirua. The bus runs during weekdays and is free for staff and students.

Hair and beauty salons

WelTec offers professional salons where students can learn on public clients. These usually operate in the second trimester (June to October). Salons are available at both the Petone and Cuba St campuses.

Prayer rooms

WelTec offers prayer rooms at two of their campus: Petone and Cuba St. Students and staff can utilize these to pray in a safe and quiet environment.

Learning commons

WelTec has three learning commons spaces on the Auckland, Petone and Wellington Cuba Street campuses. Students can utilize these to complete assignments using provided IT services, get help from support staff and access other WelTec services and resources.

Controversies

Podiatry course relocation

In 2001, 25 podiatry students sued WelTec for up to $350,000 to cover costs after their course was moved to Auckland. Many students had begun the course at the Upper Hutt CIT campus and were told they would have to move to Auckland University of Technology to complete the course.

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