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Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College, Ponsonby (Auckland)

Private Training Establishments · Theological · Ponsonby, Auckland

A Catholic tertiary institution responsible for providing approved theology qualifications in New Zealand, it was formed through a merger of Good Shepherd College in Auckland and the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand. Its board is appointed by the Bishops of New Zealand.

Last checked 24 October 2026

Jump to: About · Programmes · Entry requirements · Fees

At a glance

TypePrivate Training Establishments
LocationAuckland
RegionAuckland Region
Provider informationKuraData curated
Ministry ID8717

About Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College

Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College is a New Zealand tertiary institution formed through the merger of Good Shepherd College in Auckland and the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCI). Its board is appointed by the Bishops of New Zealand. The institution's chief executive is Robert Blucher, who holds the title of Kaiwhakahaere Matua / Chief Executive.

Te Kupenga operates as the umbrella body for three national agencies:

  • The Catholic Theological College, responsible for providing approved tertiary qualifications
  • The National Centre for Religious Studies, responsible for supporting religious education in Catholic schools and adult faith formation
  • The Nathaniel Centre for Bioethics, responsible for research and advocacy on bioethical issues

The Catholic Theological College offers qualifications at multiple levels, including the Bachelor of Divinity, Graduate Diploma in Theology, New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies, and New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies, as well as micro-credentials. Study is available across several dioceses — Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin — and by distance.

Programmes and Qualifications

Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College offers the following named qualifications:

  • Certificate Programme — Level 5
  • Diploma Programme — Level 6

Entry Requirements

Certificate and Diploma qualifications (Levels 5–6)

Entry is open to all students aged 17 or over who have left school and can demonstrate an ability to cope with tertiary study. For programmes in Religious Education, intending students must hold either the New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry or Religious Education, a Level 5 Certificate in a comparable area, or evidence of equivalent work experience and learning at Level 5. Students of any faith tradition or denomination may apply.

Level 7 awards

The College offers two Level 7 programmes, each with different entry requirements.

Programme Standard Admission Special Admission
Bachelor of Divinity University Entrance 21 years of age or over
Graduate Diploma in Theology Degree-level qualification Discuss with Dean

For the Bachelor of Divinity, applicants may qualify through New Zealand University Entrance, previous tertiary study assessed on academic performance, or Special Admission for New Zealand or Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 21 or over who do not hold a formal university entrance qualification. Applicants must supply certified documents confirming they meet the relevant requirements.

No specific English language test scores, minimum grades, or NCEA credit thresholds are stated for any programme. International students are accepted only if sponsored by a Diocese or religious institution.

Subject area: Theological

The Ministry of Education groups Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College under Theological — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.

Theological

Address

Where Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.

  • Street20 Ponsonby Road
  • SuburbPonsonby
  • CityAuckland
  • Postcode1140
  • Territorial authorityAuckland - Waitemata
  • RegionAuckland Region

No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.

Contact Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College

Find the published contact details for Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.

Other Theological providers

Explore other New Zealand private training establishments listed under the same Theological subject area as Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College, including providers in different locations.

Explore more

View all private training establishments in New Zealand All tertiary providers in Auckland

Fees

All fees are in NZ dollars and are inclusive of GST. A non-refundable enrolment deposit of $100 is payable at the time of enrolment each semester. A late enrolment fee of $35 applies at Level 7. Invoices for the semester are issued in Week 1, with full payment due by the end of Week 2. If a student withdraws by the penalty-free deadline specified in the Academic Calendar, the course fee is refunded minus the enrolment deposit; withdrawals after that date are not refunded. International students enrolling in Level 7 programmes must be sponsored by a diocese or religious institution.

Level 7 Fees 2026 — Bachelor of Divinity & Graduate Diploma in Theology

Student type Tuition fee per full paper Tuition fee per half paper Enrolment deposit Late enrolment fee
NZ Citizens and Residents $887 $443 $100 $35
International Students $915 $457 $100 $35

Level 5 Certificate Fees 2026

Qualification Credits per paper Tuition fee per paper Admin fee per paper
NZ Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry 10 credits $419 $21.20
NZ Certificate in Christian Studies – Religious Education (10-credit papers) 10 credits $419 $21.20
NZ Certificate in Christian Studies – Religious Education (20-credit papers: RE503 and RE504) 20 credits $842 $21.20

Level 6 Diploma Fees 2026

Qualification Tuition fee per paper Admin fee per paper
NZ Diploma in Christian Studies – Christian Leadership $630 $21.20
NZ Diploma in Christian Studies – Pastoral Ministry $630 $21.20

Students may be eligible for the NZ Government Fees Free scheme or student loans — eligibility is determined through the relevant government services.

Curated by the KuraData team from Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College's own website, reviewed 24 October 2026.

Data source