11 September 2012
Waiariki Success Still on the up
The upward trend of educational success has been confirmed for Waiariki Institute of Technology.
Raw data in the recently released Performance of Tertiary Education Organisations by Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
shows New Zealand’s uniquely bicultural institute is also one of the most improved of the 18 polytechnics or institutes
of technology.
Serving the wider Bay of Plenty region, Waiariki has lifted its successful completion of courses across all levels of
study to 73% in 2011. This follows the lifting trend of 2010 of 65%, and 2009 of 50%. There were tracked increases
across Level 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 courses at Waiariki.
Acting Waiariki chief executive Keith Ikin said the TEC’s results reinforced the great strides the institute was making
in improving quality and success.
“Given Waiariki affords opportunity to study for all through its admission policies, these are fantastic results which
confirm the wonderful job our staff do for our community,” Mr Ikin said.
It’s fair to say while Waiariki has improved, the New Zealand median score has also improved which continues to keep
Waiariki focused on continued improvement.
“The challenge for Waiariki is to continue the rise and continue to improve the success rates for government identified
priority groups like Maori, Pacifica and under-25 learners,” Mr Ikin said.
Waiariki has the largest percentage of Maori students in the country and improvement in their success remains a major
target.
“We have doubled the learner support staff across the institute and are continually looking at ways we can further
engage and connect with students for their success”.
ENDS