Fees Free in Rotorua
High school leavers will soon be able to access their first year of tertiary study or vocational training free of charge, thanks to a significant new investment from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
The First Year Fees Free initiative will enable eligible secondary school leavers from around the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato to undertake their first year of study at Toi Ohomai's Rotorua campus without paying tuition fees from Semester One, 2027.
The initiative is open to students enrolled in Years 11, 12 or 13 at an eligible high school in 2026. It applies to all qualifications level 3 or above offered at the Toi Ohomai Rotorua campus, whether students choose to study part-time or full-time.
This contribution reflects Toi Ohomai’s commitment to supporting local students into meaningful career pathways, increasing participation in tertiary education, and helping develop Rotorua's future workforce.
Students participating in the programme will be able to train across a wide range of industries, including business, construction, engineering, healthcare, information technology, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, hairdressing and barbering.
Toi Ohomai's Rotorua campus offers qualifications across a broad range of part-time and full-time and tertiary education and vocational training options. Access industry-recognised training right here in Rotorua. For a full list of qualifications available at Toi Ohomai is available here. Enrolment applications for 2027 are open now.