Whitireia Polytechnic Opens Cuba Mall Campus

For Immediate Release.

Whitireia Polytechnic Opens Cuba Mall Campus in February 2008

Whitireia Community Polytechnic is taking a considerable stake in the Wellington City education market with a bold new move to Cuba Mall.

The move is being made to be closer to target student markets, to enable development of purpose built flexible teaching spaces and resources within the ongoing alignment of qualifications to the needs of employers and industry.

Voted “world’s seventh funkiest street” by internet travel writers, Cuba St is a stronger fit to the profile of our programmes in Wellington says Whitireia Chief Operating Officer Pat Stuart.

“We felt that it would give us a great location that matches the suite of communications programmes we offer in journalism and publishing. The entrepreneurial and new business venture culture of the area links to flexible programmes we offer in administration management, business, computing and cafe / bar work. ”

The doors open in February 2008.

The new location is far more suitable than the existing Wellington city location in the government quarter, which was not purpose built, said Ms Stuart.

“The [new] space that we’re developing has easier access, flexible in configuration, incorporates video conferencing and state of the art computer suites. Essentially an open plan refit, it’s over 1000 sq metres on one floor.”

The building is owned by the Wellington Company Ltd and managing director Ian Cassels is “deliriously delighted”. “It’s just the right thing for Cuba St. Students are the lifeblood of many cities in New Zealand, and are increasingly becoming a great part of Wellington.”

Ms Stuart agreed the location was great for students and offers opportunities for developing partnerships with the activities and organisations in the area.

“Whitireia already has considerable strength in publishing and existing relationships with festivals and the creative and cultural industries. Also Whitireia hospitality programmes fill up immediately and feed directly into the café quarter around Cuba Mall. Significant reworking of the journalism programme with Jim Tucker coming on board also needed this change to meet capacity projections. Whitireia research into regional development shows a clear need for applied business and computing skills and opportunities exist there also.”

While the interior of the building had little historical value, the building’s exterior was quite prominent, Ms Stuart said: “It has a historic façade which is to be preserved.”

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