School's Out. Fees are too!

From 2027, all secondary school leavers will be able to access their first year of tertiary study or vocational training at zero course fees*, thanks to a significant new initiative at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

The first-year Free Fees* initiative will enable eligible secondary school leavers from anywhere in NZ to undertake their first year of study at Toi Ohomai's Rotorua campus without paying tuition fees throughout 2027.

The initiative is open to students that were enrolled in Years 12 or 13 at any secondary school, at any time in 2026. It applies to all qualifications level 3 or above offered at the Toi Ohomai Rotorua (Mokoia) campus, whether students choose to study part-time or full-time.

This initiative reflects Toi Ohomai’s commitment to supporting local students by giving local access to public tertiary education thereby increasing participation in tertiary education, and helping develop Rotorua's future workforce.

Toi Ohomai Chair Deryck Shaw says the investment is just one of the many things Toi Ohomai will be doing to support local communities.

“With our return to local governance, we are focused on creating an institute that delivers outstanding outcomes for learners, responds to the needs of employers and industry, strengthens partnerships with iwi and communities, and contributes to the prosperity of our region.” Shaw says.

Toi Ohomai Chief Executive Dr Pim Borren says that the Mokoia campus is not doing enough to support local training needs for school leavers specifically in Rotorua.

"There are too many barriers for many talented school leavers here in Rotorua who are missing out on quality public tertiary education.  The cost of going to university or accessing tertiary education outside of Rotorua is often prohibitive to many school leavers. Now students can study at Toi Ohomai and then if they choose pathway on to university after firstly completing a polytechnic qualification while continuing to live locally," says Dr Borren.

"By covering first-year tuition fees, we're making it easier for young people to take their first step into tertiary education, gain valuable skills and gain more meaningful careers. Studying in Rotorua allows students to remain connected to their whānau and support networks while reducing the overall cost of transitioning into tertiary education."

The initiative supports broader efforts to increase participation in tertiary and vocational education while helping address regional workforce needs. Infometrics data shows Rotorua's youth NEET rate (young people aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education or training) is 18.1%, which is 4.5 percentage points higher than the national average.

Students participating in the programme will be able to train across a wide range of industries, including business, construction, engineering, nursing, teacher education, information technology, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, hairdressing.

"Our world class qualifications are vocational in nature and designed so our graduates gain employment in industries where there are projected skills shortages now and into the future," says Dr Borren.

"Many programmes include hands-on industry experience through projects, placements and work-integrated learning opportunities. The purpose of any tertiary qualification is to improve students' life chances through better income earning opportunities.  Most of our teaching staff come from industry themselves and have real world experience to pass on to students and ready them for the workplace."

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. Enrolment applications for 2027 are open now.