About The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is a government-funded, government-owned tertiary institution based in Wellington, specialising in open distance flexible learning (ODFL). It enrols approximately 40,000 learners per year, drawn from across New Zealand and overseas, and operates without requiring attendance at a physical campus.
The institution was founded on 1 July 1946 as the Technical Correspondence School, initially serving returned servicemen and women with resettlement training in trades and farming. It expanded rapidly through the post-war apprenticeship boom — by the early 1960s, around two in every five apprentices in New Zealand were studying through it. The organisation was renamed the New Zealand Technical Correspondence Institute in 1963, and took its current name, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, under the 1990 tertiary education reforms, which also broadened its mandate from restricted vocational provision to a full range of tertiary courses available to anyone in New Zealand.
Open Polytechnic offers over 100 qualifications and around 1,000 courses, spanning Levels 1–7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework — from certificates through to degrees. Most programmes are developed in collaboration with industry, and all qualifications are approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. From 1 January 2026, Open Polytechnic will no longer operate as a business division of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, following the Government's decision to disestablish NZIST.
Of its learner population, over 5,000 identify as Māori (18%) and nearly 2,000 as Pasifika (6%).
Studying at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
The Open Polytechnic delivers its programmes through online learning, with no fixed weekly timetable. Courses have defined start and end dates, and students are required to meet scheduled assessment and, where applicable, exam deadlines. Some courses also include practicum or workshop dates.
Students manage their own study schedule within those fixed points, using tools provided by the institution including a learner portal (MyOP) and a course delivery platform (iQualify). Each course's Overview page in iQualify includes a study guide and an estimate of weekly study hours required.
Programme options include degrees such as the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Students may also enrol in individual courses, such as Te Reo Māori, before committing to a full qualification.
Qualifications and Programmes
Business and Management
The following business and management qualifications are offered by distance and online learning:
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4) — Certificate, Level 4 — 50 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 3) — Certificate, Level 3 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4) — Certificate, Level 4 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) — Certificate, Level 4 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Small Business) (Level 3) — Certificate, Level 3 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership) (Level 3) — Certificate, Level 3 — 45 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) — Certificate, Level 4 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Certificate in Project Management (Level 4) — Certificate, Level 4 — 60 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Accounting) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Administration and Technology) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Human Resource Management) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Leadership and Management) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Marketing and Sales) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Project Management) — Diploma, Level 5 — 120 credits
- Bachelor of Accounting — Bachelor's degree, Level 7 — 360 credits
- Bachelor of Applied Management — Bachelor's degree, Level 7
Social Work
One social work qualification is offered:
- Bachelor of Social Work — Bachelor's degree, Level 7 — 480 credits — maximum completion time 8 years
Address
Where The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
- Street86 Wyndrum Avenue
- SuburbWaiwhetu
- CityLower Hutt
- Postcode5040
- Territorial authorityLower Hutt City
- RegionWellington Region
No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.
Contact The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Find the published contact details for The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone0508 650 200
- EmailCustomerServices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
- Fax04-913 5308
- Websitewww.openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 14 September 2026.
Other providers in Lower Hutt
Explore other tertiary providers based in Lower Hutt, near The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.
Subject Areas
The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand offers qualifications, courses, and micro-credentials across the following subject areas, available by distance and online learning:
- Accounting
- Built Environment and Trades
- Business and Management
- Communication
- Design
- Early Childhood Education
- Education
- Engineering
- Environment
- Financial Services
- Floristry and Horticulture
- Foundation and Bridging
- Health, Wellbeing and Community Services
- Information and Communication Technology
- Legal
- Library and Information Studies
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Real Estate
- Social Work
- Te Reo Māori
International Students
Open Polytechnic is a NZQA Category 2 provider. All courses are delivered online, with no campus attendance required, though some courses include face-to-face workshops for which students must arrange and fund their own travel and accommodation.
All courses are taught in English, and international learners must meet the English Language Entry Requirements for their chosen qualification before enrolling.
International learners in New Zealand
International learners living in New Zealand who hold a valid work visa may study part-time, provided they meet the entry criteria for their programme. Where study is a condition of employment, a letter of authorisation from the employer is required. Where study is not a condition of employment, a variation of work visa conditions must be obtained before enrolment can be completed; an offer of place is issued after payment of international fees to support that application to Immigration New Zealand.
Learners on a work visa of less than two years must provide evidence of medical insurance cover, in accordance with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. Those on a work visa of two years or more are not subject to this requirement. Students studying part-time on a work visa are not eligible for post-study work rights.
International fees apply to learners studying in New Zealand; specific fee figures are listed on individual qualification and course pages.
Scholarships and financial aid for ākonga Māori
The following external scholarships and funding sources are specifically identified for ākonga Māori studying at Kuratini Tuwhera:
- Careers NZ scholarships for Māori learners
- Kia Ora Hauora scholarships — supports ākonga pursuing health careers
- Ministry of Education scholarships
- Toitū Kaupapa Māori Mātauranga (Māori Education Trust) — offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and other scholarships
Many iwi, hapū, whānau trusts, and hapori also offer scholarships and grants for their uri, with eligibility criteria varying by organisation. Ākonga are advised to contact their affiliated iwi rūnanga directly to confirm what is available and required.
Curated by the KuraData team from The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand's own website, reviewed 14 September 2026.
Data source
- SourceTertiary Providers Directory — Ministry of Education
- KuraData last checked6 September 2026
- Editorial content based onThe Open Polytechnic of New Zealand's official website — reviewed 14 September 2026