About the Bill#

Parliament has called for public feedback on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill, which aims to reshape vocational education to better align with regional needs and industry expectations.

Select Committee submissions close on Thursday 18 June 2025 and can be made through Parliament’s website.

Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament

The Bill includes the following changes:

• Regional polytechnics will replace the centrally- run Te Pūkenga, which manages over 200,000 students and apprentices, giving local communities more say in what training is offered in the region.
• Industry Skills Boards will replace Workforce Development Councils in 2026. These boards, led by their industries, will help shape training and work-based learning.
• Work-based learning (like apprenticeships) that is currently managed by Te Pūkenga will be managed by these boards for up to two years while new programmes are developed at polytechnics, private providers, and Wānanga. It will be easier to introduce industry levies to help fund standards-setting, where a sector supports that.

The full text of the Bill can also be found on the New Zealand Legislation website.

Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill - New Zealand Legislation

Have your say#

Submissions on the Bill are open until 18 June 2025.

Make a submission - New Zealand Parliament

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