Explore your future

Whakatāne District offers a rich and diverse tertiary education landscape where learners can pursue a broad range of qualifications in welcoming and culturally grounded environments.

Whether you’re aiming to start a new career, upskill, or deepen your knowledge in Māori studies, health, business, trades, or the creative industries, the district provides flexible pathways designed to fit your lifestyle and aspirations.

From institutes with small, community-focused campuses to nationally recognised wānanga celebrating Māori values and indigenous knowledge, students here benefit from personalised support, strong cultural connections and practical learning opportunities. Options for online, marae-based, and part-time study make education accessible to all, while accommodation choices and student support services help you settle comfortably and thrive.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology offers a range of study options in Whakatāne, catering to diverse interests and career aspirations. Students can choose from various programmes, including certificates, diplomas and degrees, across fields such as business, health, trades and creative industries. 

The Whakatāne campus provides a supportive learning environment with smaller class sizes, allowing for personalised attention and fostering a strong sense of community. Flexible study options, including part-time and online courses, are available to accommodate different lifestyles. Additionally, the campus offers services like career advice, student support and extracurricular activities to enhance the student experience. 

For accommodation, students have several options, including shared flats, homestays and private rentals to suit various preferences and budgets. The institute's international student support team assists with accommodation arrangements and orientation to life in New Zealand. Learn more: www.toiohomai.ac.nz/ 

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi offers the highest standards of tertiary education from certificate to doctoral levels, including programmes for international scholars of indigenous studies. Students can choose from subjects including education, health, environmental studies, humanities, tikanga (customs) and te reo Māori in a learning environment that is inclusive of all.

The vision is to pursue knowledge to the greatest depths and its broadest horizons. In living that vision, Awanuiārangi plays a distinctive and crucial role in tertiary education, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to anyone who wants to pursue it. Through education, the aim is to strengthen knowledge of Māori and indigenous wisdom, with programmes recognised and valued by indigenous scholars around the world.

Established in 1992, the flagship campus is in Whakatāne, with other campuses in Manukau and Wairoa. Programmes are also delivered from marae and community spaces around Aotearoa. Learn more: www.wananga.ac.nz

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa 

Founded in 1984, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is one of the largest and most inclusive tertiary institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand, offering a uniquely Māori learning environment that is open to all citizens and residents of Aotearoa. With more than 80 delivery sites across the country – and additional delivery options through marae, community spaces and online platforms – education is made accessible to learners wherever they are.

Guided by Māori values and the vision of 'whānau transformation through education', Te Wānanga o Aotearoa delivers programmes from certificate to postgraduate level, covering a wide range of subject areas including te reo Māori, trades, business, computing, education, arts, social services and health. Learn more: https://www.twoa.ac.nz/ 

Te Pū Wānanga o Anamata 

Ki te ako, ki te ārahi, ki te āwheo
To learn, to lead, to inspire

Located within the environs of Tūhoe and Te Urewera, Te Pū Wānanga o Anamata offers tertiary education and professional development to students seeking authentic knowledge and expertise.

Anamata, meaning Visions of the Future, provides students with the opportunity to explore their identity, language and culture through qualifications for personal development, iwi growth and future prosperity. Learners of all ages are supported to grow personally and professionally, while contributing to the wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi.

Programmes focus on social services, hapū development and practical trade skills - all underpinned by te ao Māori worldviews. With strong cultural foundations and real-world relevance, Anamata prepares students to lead, uplift their communities and create meaningful futures.

Whether you're reconnecting with your roots, seeking a career change, or pursuing higher learning in a kaupapa Māori setting, Anamata offers a pathway grounded in purpose and potential. For further information: http://www.anamata.ac.nz/

Nearby Tauranga features the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus and larger Toi Ohomai facilities, providing wider degree options.