Tertiary education in Manukau city centre

Media Release 25 September 2008

New agreement to get tertiary education in Manukau city centre

Manukau City Council is hoping a new agreement with Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) will mean tertiary education can start being offered in the city centre from 2011.

The council and MIT have signed a memorandum of cooperation to establish the governance and management structures for the development of a new tertiary campus for MIT to open in the Manukau city centre.

Manukau Mayor Len Brown says the council and MIT have had a close working relationship for a number of years.

“The council has been advocating for many years about the need for tertiary education to be available in the city centre. We’re confident that this agreement with MIT will mean this is delivered within the next few years.

“We’re hoping the first students will be taking tertiary courses on a city centre site in 2011,” Mr Brown says.

The tertiary courses may start on a limited basis and then grow into a bigger tertiary campus close to the new transport interchange near Hayman Park.

Mr Brown says it is hoped that the facilities and courses on offer will attract people who might not otherwise go on to tertiary training.

“The council will also be looking at agreements to bring other tertiary providers into the city centre. For example Auckland University of Technology (AUT), who the council also has a close relationship with.

“Manukau has large numbers of students leaving school who don’t go on to tertiary education. Only 2.6 per cent of Counties Manukau people are in tertiary education, which is about half the national average.

“With 450,000 people in the area and Manukau being the fastest growing city in New Zealand, the huge demand for tertiary education in this part of our region will only increase.

“By 2012 Manukau is expected to have created 40,000 new jobs. To meet the needs of business the city needs more local people with degrees and qualifications,” Mr Brown says.

ENDS

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