Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

Taranaki – as locals know – is a hidden gem. So, it’s great when international students make the big leap to choose us as a place to learn, and enjoy an enriching, fun, active lifestyle alongside their studies.

Check out our new video showcasing some of our international students making the most of Taranaki’s stunning locations – from maunga to moana, and so much in between!

We hope to see new faces next year from across the globe choose our awesome region to live, and our flourishing applied learning hub at WITT.

Witt International Students showcasing the Taranaki lifestyle Moving to New Zealand from another country to study is a big step. ...

In Porirua, kiwi are moving into the surrounding bush reserves. So the local council has reached out to WITT to help them train more staff in pest control and horticulture 🐀🌿

A partnership between regions based on sharing environmental care and management skills and knowledge – how cool! 🤩 We welcomed Porirua City Council conservation staff Brooke and Bianca to the campus last week.

Porirua has more than 950 hectares of parks and reserves, including wetlands and bush-clad ranges. PCC's Urban Ecology Team reached out to WITT earlier this year about providing work-based learning for staff in their parks and reserves 👍🥾🌴

Upskilling in pest operations for Porirua is especially urgent, with kiwi recently heard in their catchment and neighbouring Tawa. Around 200 kiwi were released last year into the hills of Mākara on the coast of Wellington as part of Wellington’s Capital Kiwi project. Pest control is vital in protecting vulnerable kiwi and other native species, from predators such as rats, stoats, weasels, and feral cats 🐾

WITT’s expert tutors in horticulture, pest ops and conservation are highly respected in their sectors, and they share their passion through teaching every day 🫶

Read more here:
https://www.witt.ac.nz/news/pest-and-plant-focus-in-porirua-partnership-with-witt

Find out more about our environmental programmes: https://www.witt.ac.nz/study/environmental

Campus coffee fiends - good news! 😃
WITT's Garage Cafe opens for Semester Two this Thursday, 6 August 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️☕️☕️

Open varying days and hours. Get your fav brew and tasty treat with great service & warm vibes 🥧🍪🙂🫶

Weekly specials so keep an 👀out!

☕️ ☕️

Biz buzz: First Line Management 🐝

It may not feel like BAU in these tough economic times for some businesses. But there’s plenty you can do to rethink and upskill for positive results 💫

WITT business tutor and researcher Phillipa Watt chatted to The MOST FM Breakfast host Bobi this week about the First Line Management programme she teaches

The course focus is on building good leadership and workplace harmony ☺️Creating a strong team with an energised, supportive vibe 😃Enhancing good communication between staff, managers and customers 🤝Team objectives to conflict management and ethical behaviour + getting a grasp of policies, procedures and legislation 😵‍💫

Students share their workplace experiences in group discussions – applying new knowledge directly to their daily mahi. Ideal for any business as well as not-for-profits 👍

Fees free. Four one-day workshops a month (starting August 7) – it’s a fab opportunity to step outside the box and gain some fresh insights on bolstering your biz 🤩

Starts 7 August - still time to enrol! 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

LISTEN: Stream WITT Interviews - Phillipa and Jen 29-07-26 by The Most FM NZ | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

INFO here:
https://www.witt.ac.nz/study/administration-and-business-management/business-and-management/new-zealand-certificate-in-business-first-line-management-level-4

Taranaki Careers Expo 2026 is coming soon! 😃

SAVE THE DATE: August 17 and 18

Loads of exhibitors showcasing jobs and training that require human heads, hands and hearts. Some jobs just can’t be replaced by AI! 🤖

State-of-the-art technology and tools will be part of interactive displays. Get a taste of diverse industries - from trades, health, environmental, government, business and arts to forestry and farming sectors 👷‍♀️👮‍♀️👩‍🍳🧑‍⚕️

WITT staff and students will there in force so you can ask questions, have a go at a range of trades and tasks - hair styling and nail art, automotive and welding skills, as well as fitness challenges, art prints, and much more…

So MUCH to explore and get excited about at the Careers Expo! 👍🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

EVENT DETAILS:

Venue: Taranaki Careers Expo 2026 at TSB Stadium 1 Rogan Street, Welbourn.
o Monday 17 August: 12pm – 3pm and 4pm – 6.30pm
o Tuesday 18 August: 8.40am – 3pm

FREE event open to the public.

https://www.witt.ac.nz/news/taranaki-careers-expo-on-the-job-for-2026

Fibre for whare. Could Taranaki be a ‘h**p hub’ of Aotearoa?

H**p is taking off in Australia as a sustainable building material. An expert h**p designer recently visited New Plymouth to run a workshop at WITT.

Australian H**p Masonry Company’s managing director Klara Marosszeky shared her knowledge with builders from around the motu on using h**pcrete for building.

The workshop was organised in a collaboration between WITT and Puna Umaga Venture Taranaki, which is trialling h**p crops in Taranaki.

WITT carpentry and joinery tutor Phil Richardson-Jones is excited about the opportunities for Kiwi builders interested in h**pcrete. He’s learning about h**pcrete construction so that he can offer specialist training at WITT in the future.

VT’s Branching Out Project Manager Michelle Bauer says; “H**pcrete provides a practical starting point for establishing a wider h**p fibre industry in Taranaki.”

“Our recently released H**pcrete Development Plan shows that developing construction capability and building a pipeline of projects will be essential to create a viable industry. Courses like this help turn interest into the skills and confidence needed to deliver those projects.”

Read more…

Growing interest in h**p for housing Australian H**p Masonry Company’s managing director Klara Marosszeky flew to New Plymouth to run the introductory workshop in partnership with Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, the regional development agency, at WITT.

Nerves? Nah! WITT was buzzing today with the arrival of around 200 new students starting their studies in Semester Two. We WELCOME you all to Te Kura Matatini o Taranaki ! 😃🫶🏔️

They began with a pōwhiri in Te Piere – our central campus meeting space. Ākonga were guided through the pōwhiri ceremony from outside Te Piere by Allana Prestney – (Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa,Te Atiawa) – WITT Kaitakawaenga/Pastoral Support /Scholarships advisor🎓

WITT teaching and support staff (kaimahi) welcomed the newcomers into the space. They were in turn represented by Te Poihi Campbell, Te Atiawa iwi, who was present to awhi a new kaimahi and deliver a rousing whaikōrero 👏

Nicola Conley, WITT Operations Lead Executive, addressed the crowded room and reminded them there’s plenty of support at WITT to help them succeed – from learning support to counselling and health, and urged them to reach out if they need it ✍💻📕👍

She also encouraged them to have fun and make new friends while at WITT 🙂

Students and staff then moved to Te Kāuta Café to share kai and get acquainted before returning to classes for orientation to learning and support services, as well as locating student facilities (library, gym, cafes, Rainbow Room, Prayer Room etc) 📚🏋️‍♀️☕️🥪

Anyone who’d forgotten their lunch was in luck. At noon, a donut van arrived, attracting a queue for bags of free delicious mini donuts 🍩😍

Happy first day everyone and have a brilliant semester! 🤩💫🤸🗻

🎉 Haere mai! Welcome (back) to campus! 🎉

We're excited to welcome everyone back for the start of term!

To help kick things off, we're shouting FREE mini doughnuts 🍩

📅 Today
⏰ 12.00–1.00pm
📍 Opposite Te Piere

Come along, grab a sweet treat, catch up with friends and classmates, and start the new term on a high.

All ākonga and kaimahi are welcome. See you there!

Semester Two and Orientation – comin’ up! 😄

We can’t wait to see all the new faces on campus on Monday 20 July! We’re ready!
Ready to welcome around 200 of you, starting on your learning journey with us. And of course, the students returning from Semester One 👍

It’s been too quiet without you all! 🤓

First day nerves will vanish as you encounter warm, welcoming vibes. We’ll start the day with a beautiful pōwhiri in our meeting space, Te Piere, at 9.30am 🫶

WITT kaimahi – tutors and support staff - will be there to guide you through all the introductory stuff 🖨️💻✍️

Like, getting your student ID and computer login sorted. Where to find learning support and health, counselling and accessibility services. The Rainbow Room. The Prayer Room. The library and gym. Most importantly – the café! ☕️🥤🥐🥪🧁

And, at 12.00-1.00pm we'll have some free mini doughnuts opposite Te Piere!

Hope you're as excited as we are! 😍See you Monday... 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

Orientation | WITT

Want good news?
There’s still time to enrol for Semester Two at WITT 🤩👍⌚️

We have around 15 programmes...and spaces available.

Don’t miss out if you have the urge to start something new and qualify by Xmas. It’s not too late! ⏰🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️
We’ll be taking enrolments next week too ✍️

Semester Two = diverse choices. Baking to beauty, business, food and beverage, plumbing, pest operations, horticulture, art and healthcare assistant training.

Several courses are FEES FREE (business, pest operations, horticulture).

Some are online (three of our business programmes) to allow for flexible study with learning support provided by WITT staff + access to all our campus facilities and student support services 😃🫶

More info and contact details here: https://www.witt.ac.nz/study

https://www.witt.ac.nz/news/mid-year-enrolment-to-qualify-by-xmas

WITT Programmes and Courses Explore a diverse range of programmes and courses at WITT. From arts and business to engineering and health, find the perfect path for your educational journey.