Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), also known as Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki, is a public tertiary education provider in New Zealand’s Taranaki region. WITT opened as Taranaki Polytechnic in 1972 and has grown into a major regional provider of career-focused education. It offers certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate study across areas such as business, nursing, engineering, arts and design, agriculture, environmental studies, beauty, cookery and health.
WITT places strong focus on practical learning. Many programmes include work placements, industry projects, internships or hands-on training, helping students build skills linked to employment. The institute has a low student-to-tutor ratio and provides support services for both domestic and international learners.
International students can choose programmes in New Plymouth and South Taranaki. WITT is a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Category 2 provider and is a signatory to New Zealand’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. The institute welcomes students from overseas and provides international application, accommodation, visa and pastoral support. Its smaller campus setting in Taranaki can suit students who prefer practical study and a more personal learning environment.
| Intakes |
July,February |
| All Campuses |
New Plymouth Campus, Hāwera Campus |
| Website |
https://www.witt.ac.nz/ |
| Monthly Living Cost |
NZD $1,667–$2,000 |
| Funds Requirements for Visa |
NZD $1,667 |
| Application Fees |
n/a |
| Currency |
|
| Is Lang Mendatory |
Yes |
| Part Time Work Details |
<p>Eligible international students may work up to <strong>25 hours per week</strong> during study and may work full-time during scheduled holidays when their student visa allows it. Visa conditions must be checked before starting work.</p> |
Ranking
- Times Higher Education World Education Rankings: WITT does not have a listed position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
- QS World University Rankings by Subject: WITT does not have a listed position in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
- UK University League Table: Not applicable. WITT is a New Zealand tertiary institute, not a UK university.
- The Guardian University Rankings: Not applicable. The Guardian's UK university tables do not cover WITT.
WITT is a tertiary institute rather than a research university, so major university ranking tables such as QS and THE are not a useful measure of its programme quality. NZQA lists WITT as a Category 2 provider and confirms its approval to deliver qualifications and its status as a signatory to the international student Code of Practice.
English Language Requirements
WITT requires international applicants to meet the English standard set for their selected programme. The exact score varies by qualification level and subject.
Common 2026 programme requirements include:
| Programme requirement example |
IELTS Academic |
| Selected Level 4–5 programmes |
5.5 overall, with no band below 5.0 |
| Selected Level 5–6 programmes |
6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5 |
| Selected degree/postgraduate programmes |
6.5 overall, with no band below 6.5 for some programmes |
WITT recognises Academic IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or an equivalent approved test, subject to the requirements of the selected qualification. The 2026 international prospectus gives programme-specific scores, so applicants should check the exact course before applying.
Scholarship Policy
WITT offers automatic scholarships for new full-fee-paying international students on selected programmes. The scholarship is deducted from tuition fees and does not require a separate scholarship application.
Examples listed by WITT include:
- Bachelor of Applied Management – NZD $2,500
- Bachelor of Design and Arts – NZD $2,500
- New Zealand Diploma in Business – NZD $2,000
- New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design – NZD $1,500
- New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy – NZD $1,500
- New Zealand Certificate in Cookery – NZD $1,000
- Selected agriculture and engineering programmes – NZD $1,000
- Study and Employment Pathways – NZD $500
The current scholarship page states that eligible applicants must be new, full-fee-paying international students with a valid conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible programme. The scholarship is normally for one year and is automatically applied, so no separate application is required.
Fees & Funding
International tuition fees depend on the programme. WITT's 2026 prospectus lists many one-year programmes in the range of approximately NZD $22,586–$29,761, with some programmes having different fees based on their duration. For example, the Bachelor of Applied Management is listed among programmes with international tuition fees around this range. Fees can change for later years of multi-year qualifications.
Students should budget separately for:
- Tuition fees
- Compulsory Student Services Fee
- Health and travel insurance
- Accommodation
- Food and transport
- Study materials and personal expenses
- New Zealand student visa costs
WITT provides information about scholarships and other funding options. International scholarships can reduce tuition costs for eligible students.
Application Guidelines
International applicants can apply directly online or through an approved WITT education agent. WITT recommends applying around three months before the course begins.
Main application steps
- Select a suitable WITT programme.
- Check the academic and English entry requirements.
- Prepare certified academic certificates and transcripts.
- Prepare an English test result where required.
- Provide a certified copy of the passport identification page.
- Submit the international application online or through an approved agent.
- Receive a Conditional or Unconditional Offer of Place.
- Accept the offer and pay the required tuition fees.
- Receive the tuition fee receipt.
- Apply for the New Zealand Student Visa.
- Arrange accommodation, flights and arrival details.
Required Documents
Typical documents include:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- English language test result, where required
- Passport identification page
- Certified translations of documents not written in English
- Evidence of previous qualifications or work experience where relevant
- Additional documents required for specific programmes
Some applicants may qualify for Recognition of Prior Learning based on previous tertiary study or work experience.
Apply Online
Yes. WITT accepts international applications online. Applicants can complete the international student application form through the WITT website or apply through an approved education agent.
Immigration Support Service
WITT provides support for international students with applications, enrolment, visa matters, travel and health insurance, accommodation, pastoral care and cultural or personal support. Approved WITT agents can assist with the course application and visa process.
For the New Zealand Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand requires an Offer of Place, proof of tuition payment or funding, evidence of living funds, acceptable insurance and other visa documents. Eligible students may receive work rights of up to 25 hours per week, depending on their visa conditions.
WITT also provides accommodation information and support. Options include on-campus Te Henui Lodge, homestay, boarding and flatting. The listed single-room Te Henui Lodge rate is NZD $280 per week, excluding food, Wi-Fi and laundry.
Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), also known as Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki, began as Taranaki Polytechnic on 1 February 1972. It was the 13th technical institute established in New Zealand. Its early programmes included trades, technician training, professional courses and dairy farming, with practical industry training forming part of some programmes. The Bell Street campus opened in 1976 with specialist facilities for areas such as art, science, electrical studies and hairdressing.
WITT opened its South Taranaki campus in Hāwera in 1992 and adopted the name Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki in 2001. Over the years, it expanded its study options to include degrees, diplomas, postgraduate study, trades and short courses. Practical learning, industry placements and links with local employers have remained central to its teaching. In 2022, WITT joined Te Pūkenga as part of New Zealand's national vocational education system. The New Zealand Government has since confirmed that WITT will become a standalone polytechnic from 1 January 2027.
WITT suits students who want career-focused study with practical training and close support from tutors. Its programmes cover business, engineering, construction, nursing, health, agriculture, environmental studies, arts and design, hospitality, beauty and trades. Many courses include practical work, industry projects, placements or internships. WITT describes its teaching as hands-on and reports a low student-to-tutor ratio.
International students can study at a smaller campus environment in Taranaki, with support for accommodation, arrival, study and general student needs. WITT is a New Zealand Qualifications Authority Category 2 provider and accepts international students across a range of diploma and degree programmes.
Schools, Faculties, and Institutions
Faculties
WITT currently delivers its programmes through two academic schools:
- School of Engineering and Trades: Covers engineering, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other trade areas.
- School of Business, Creative & Wellness: Covers business and management, arts and design, nursing, health and wellbeing, beauty and related subjects.
Current study areas at WITT include administration and business management, arts and design, construction and architecture, engineering and energy, environmental studies, exercise and sport, foundation studies, hair and beauty, hospitality, Māori education, nursing and wellness, primary industries and trades.
Institutes
Scholarships, Bursaries, and Funding
WITT provides automatic scholarships for eligible new international students on selected programmes. The scholarship is deducted from tuition fees and does not require a separate application. Current listed awards include:
- Bachelor of Applied Management: NZD $2,500
- Bachelor of Design and Arts: NZD $2,500
- New Zealand Diploma in Business: NZD $2,000
- New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design: NZD $1,500
- Beauty Therapy programmes: NZD $1,500
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Highways): NZD $1,000
- New Zealand Certificate in Cookery: NZD $1,000
- New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture: NZD $1,000
- New Zealand Certificate in Conservation: NZD $1,000
- Study and Employment Pathways: NZD $500
The current scholarship page states that the listed awards are for one year. Applicants must be new, full-fee-paying international students holding a valid offer for an eligible WITT programme commencing in 2027.
Domestic students may have access to StudyLink support, scholarships and other funding options listed by WITT. Funding availability depends on the student's programme and eligibility.
Student Accommodation
WITT's main on-campus accommodation is Te Henui Lodge in New Plymouth. It provides furnished apartment-style rooms with ensuite bathrooms, study desks, wardrobes, heating and shared facilities. Students have access to a large kitchen, lounge areas, TV room, laundry facilities and parking. The lodge is close to the WITT campus, library and city centre.
For 2026, the listed cost is:
- Single furnished room: NZD $280 per person per week
- Double furnished room: NZD $380 per week
Food, Wi-Fi and laundry costs are separate. Students must pay a four-week bond plus one week's rent in advance. Te Henui Lodge is for residents aged 18 or above.
Off-Campus Student Accommodations
Students can choose from private flats, homestays, boarding arrangements, backpackers and local motels or hotels. WITT states that students are responsible for arranging their own accommodation before arrival.
Private flatting is a common option for students who want to share a house or apartment. Students can rent a private room and share the kitchen and bathroom with other residents. The 2026 WITT prospectus gives an estimated cost of NZD $250–$350 per room per week, depending on the property and arrangement.
Homestay allows a student to live with a local family. It includes three meals each day, a private bedroom, study and laundry facilities, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi. The listed cost is NZD $345 per week. Homestay is required for international students under 18 who are not living with their own families.
Students aged 18 or above can also consider boarding, where they live with a local household and have their own furnished bedroom with access to shared kitchen, laundry and Wi-Fi facilities. WITT lists boarding costs at around NZD $180–$250 per week, depending on the arrangement.