72252 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills

72252 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: Which programmes, if any, are undergoing programme viability assessment at Otago Polytechnic?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Te Pūkenga, with assistance from specialist help it was required to engage by the Tertiary Education Commission under section 332 of the Education and Training Act 2020, is currently undertaking substantial work to improve the financial viability of its institute of technology and polytechnic (ITP) business divisions. This is consistent with my stated expectations to Te Pūkenga’s council that it should take whatever actions it considers necessary to improve the financial performance of the network as a whole by ensuring each of the individual business divisions can become financially sustainable. As part of this work, I understand that the performance of all programmes are being assessed at each ITP business division. Decisions about what programmes are ultimately retained or closed remain the responsibility of Te Pūkenga.