Hon Pete Hodgson
Minister for Tertiary Education
Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
MP for Mana

22 April 2008 Media Statement
Whitireia Polytechnic Funding Boost

Poririua-based Whitireia Community Polytechnic will receive approximately $1.08 million in funding to help it consolidate campuses in Porirua, Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson and Mana MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban announced today.

“The relocation of Whitireia’s trades programme to a better facility will also mean that most of that training can now be provided at its Mohuia Crescent campus,” Pete Hodgson and Winnie Laban said.

“The second project is a new classroom and office block for Whitireia’s Faculty of Health and Social Services Education. This building will replace pre-fabricated buildings and will be located at Whitireia’s main Wineera Drive campus.”

Winnie Laban said Whitireia was a strong polytechnic in the Wellington region, with a particular emphasis on meeting the tertiary education and training needs of its Maori and Pacific communities.

“This Labour-led government is committed to supporting polytechnics to better meet the needs of their communities.

“The government recognises that some polytechnics need to change the way they operate and need additional funding to do that. This is where the type of investment announced today comes in,” Pete Hodgson said.

The government also announced additional funding for Gisborne’s Tairawhiti Polytechnic ($1.3 million) and Otago Polytechnic ($5.985 million) to help the polytechnics better meet the needs of their regions.

The Tertiary Education Commission will work closely with all three polytechnics to ensure the money is well-spent and the objectives behind the decision to provide this funding are met.

ENDS

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