Te Pāti Māori stands firmly against any moves to downsize or close UCOL Whanganui. With over 30% of students identifying as Māori, the campus is a vital lifeline for education, upskilling, and community transformation in Te Tai Hauāuru.

“Matapihi ki te Ao is more than a name, it’s a promise. A window to the world for our rangatahi and whānau,” says Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“We won’t sit back while this Government shuts the door on Māori futures. Our commitment is clear—we would invest more in regional tertiary education, not less.”

Te Pāti Māori would strengthen funding for adult and rangatahi learners, expand access to kaupapa Māori support services, and ensure local iwi shape the future of learning in their own rohe.

“This Government’s attack on vocational training is short-sighted and regressive. Job cuts don’t just mean fewer roles, they mean the loss of experienced and passionate kaimahi who genuinely care for their students. It devalues the people who have held up our communities through education.

“We’re here to protect what matters: our right to learn, to lead, and to live well in our own communities. We say, keep the window open,” concluded Ngarewa-Packer.

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