Otago Polytechnic

Work-based

Train on the jobWe have many ways you can gain a qualification while learning on the job. Which study mode suits you best will depend on your career aspirations and work experience. The options available to you range from apprenticeships to industry-based training, to recognition of prior experience through CapableNZ.ApprenticeshipsSome of our prog ...

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News / PG Midwifery

Supporting breastfeeding

3 min read

Stefanie Kalmakoff's Master's research identifies which mothers and babies might benefit from additional breastfeeding support.

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Mechanical

New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)

This hands-on qualification is designed for people already working in the mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing and fabrication industries, or for people who would like to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering these industries.

Duration

1 Year

Delivery

On campus

Location

Dunedin,

Career potential

Building Installation, CNC Machine Operator, Fitter/Turner, Fitter/Welder, Machine Operator, Maintenance Engineer, Metalworker/Fabricator, Mining, Specialist Production Welder, Toolmaker,

News / Engineering

Chris Olsen

2 min read

Chris, who completed a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) in 2023, says his decision to study engineering at Otago Polytechnic was largely based on his experiences working in civil construction overseas.

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News / Professional Practice

Self-determined learning

2 min read

Steve Henry asks: Is traditional degree education broken? How might we fix it?

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News / Fashion

From concept to catwalk

1 min read

The journey from concept to catwalk has been both rewarding and challenging for Otago Polytechnic Fashion Design ākonga.

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News / Research

Call for Papers Scope: Contemporary Research Topics 2025

11 min read

Call for Papers Scope: Contemporary Research Topics 2025

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News / Design

Otago Polytechnic has multiple finalists in Best Design Award

3 min read

Eight Otago Polytechnic projects have been named in the finals of the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards.

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News

Simco Ypma

2 min read

At the age of 22, Simco Ypma has already crossed a major item off his bucket list—travelling to New Zealand. Simco is from the city of Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands and is currently at Otago Polytechnic on exchange from his home institution, the Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

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Complaints report

In responding to this initiative, we decided to match the Ombudsman by publishing a six-monthly report on the complaints and enquiries received by Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga.

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Sustainability

Playing our roleSustainability is one of our key values at Otago Polytechnic, influencing our day-to-day operations and the way we teach our programmes. On campus we have vigorous composting and recycling programmes, and our students and staff are encouraged to lead green initiatives.
we measure our greenhouse gas emissions and publicly report on t ...

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Schedule

Graduation Ceremony details
Schedule 
We'll add timings and information about our September 2025 Graduation closer to the event.
Livestream
If some of your friends and whānau can't make it to the ceremony, let them know about our livestream of the event!
We livestream each ceremony and they'll be able to find this on the main homepage of our w ...

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News / Painting

Elaine Mitchell

2 min read

Although she enjoyed the shorter projects students undertake in the earlier years of the degree, Elaine Mitchell loved the freedom that comes from managing her own project for a whole year in her final year of the Bachelor of Visual Arts at Otago Polytechnic.“The final year really allowed me to grow and develop as a creator. I’m made life-sized ani ...

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News / Game Development

A byte-sized taste of the world of video games

2 min read

As part of our annual Student Showcase, Bachelor of Design (Communication) and Bachelor of Information Technology students have provided insights into their video game projects in an effort to promote new gaming pathways developed within both programmes. New Zealand’s games scene is a multi-million-dollar industry. Gam ...

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Applied Management

Graduate Diploma in Event Management

Are you organised and good at planning fun parties and informative events? Do you enjoy tackling a new challenge and having a job where every day is different? You could be suited for a career in event management. Undertake this programme and get all the skills you need to plan, organise, promote and run events, conferences and functions for a vari ...

Duration

1 Year

Delivery

On campus

Location

Dunedin,

Career potential

Event Manager,

School of Architecture

Start your architecture journey with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies right here in Dunedin! This programme of study qualifies you to work as an Architectural Technologist in just three years.If you wish to become an architect, you can continue your studies with a Master of Architecture to meet the eligibility criteria. To be an architect, you n ...

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In an emergency

We know that in an emergency, you just need to know exactly who to get in touch with or what procedures to follow.

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Staff Development

Required training
All new staff complete a New Staff Induction Programme when they commence at OP.  This includes Health & Safety training and an introduction to our culture at OP. Much of this is delivered online with some face-to-face workshops.  
Other required training includes:

Treaty of Waitangi (two-day workshop) within f ...

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News / Research

Belonging at school

2 min read

Feeling they belong at school is critically important for the mental health of young people, says Adrienne Buckingham.

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Bachelor of Engineering Technology - Infrastructure Asset Management Apprenticeship

This is an apprenticeship pathway where you'll gain experience in industry projects within your chosen specialty - Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. This degree is accredited by Engineering New Zealand (ENZ) which ensures it meets national and international standards. You will also be eligible to become a graduate member of ENZ. Internat ...

Duration

2 Years

Delivery

Work-based

Location

Online while you are in work,

Career potential

Civil Engineer , Draughtsperson, Electrical Engineer, Environmental Engineer , Infrastructure Asset Manager , Mechanical Engineer , Natural Resources Engineer , Structural Engineer, Water and Waste Engineer ,

Art

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Human Resources

Our Human Resources (HR) qualifications will prepare you to confidently deal with both current and future-focussed HR issues communicating effectively within a recognised, ethical industry framework.  The invaluable real-life experience you’ll gain as you study at Otago Polytechnic is what will set you up for a career ...

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School of Midwifery

Over the past 25 years, the Otago Polytechnic School of Midwifery has seen over 450 of our students graduate by studying from our delivery locations in Wellington, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Dunedin, Central Otago and Southland.Our real-life approach to learning sees our students working with qualified midwives and people who are pregnant from th ...

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News / Food & Hospitality

Thomas White

3 min read

The 21-year-old vegan food enthusiast already had a following for his legume-based burgers, having set up a stand, Straight Up Vegan, at the Otago Farmers Market, several months ago. Yet Thomas admits he has been pleasantly surprised by the rapid growth in customers forming a chatty queue outside his Burger Plant site ...

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Avalanche Safety

New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 6)

This certificate will provide you with the highest level of training available in New Zealand for this industry. You will enjoy being taught by the professionals and will graduate with the ability to assume supervisory roles in all sectors of the industry.

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Location

Online, Wānaka,

Career potential

Alpine Search and Rescue, Avalanche Controller, Heli/Alpine Guide, Ski Patroller,