He Toki Kai Te Rika
He Toki Kai Te Rika | Trades Training Centre is a purpose-built modern learning facility designed to support ākonga to flourish.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins today (13 September) opened a new multimillion-dollar training centre in Dunedin to develop the next generation of Ōtākou | Otago’s tradespeople and engineers.
He Toki Kai Te Rika, which translates as “a tool for the hand”, will offer an outstanding environment to both work-based and on campus ākonga (learners) at Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga in Forth St.
The complex provides a hub-type location featuring a variety of equipment and shared spaces to enhance the skills and experience of ākonga, allowing for connection with kaiako (lecturers) and industry.
“With $23 billion worth of major infrastructure projects in the pipeline for the region, including the new Dunedin Hospital build; the skills taught at He Toki Kai Te Rika are already in high demand,” says Te Pūkenga Tumuaki | Chief Executive Peter Winder.
“We are delighted to be able to offer those on a pathway into these essential careers an inspiring facility reflecting their importance to the province and Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole,” he says.
The facility will be fully operational for the beginning of Semester 1, 2024; including delivery of degree and certificate programmes in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering; quantity surveying, New Zealand Diploma in Construction; as well as welding night classes and block courses for apprentices.
“With $23 billion worth of major infrastructure projects in the pipeline for the region, including the new Dunedin Hospital build; the skills taught at He Toki Kai Te Rika are already in high demand.”
Peter Winder
Te Pūkenga Tumuaki | Chief Executive
Te Pūkenga
The building itself showcases future-focused design thinking including Living Building Challenge principles, Laminated Veneer Lumber and Cross Laminated Timber.
The name of the building enshrines the find of three adze blades and a pounamu chisel at the polytechnic’s Harbour Terrace site when the campus there was developed in the mid-1980s.
“Resilience, resourcefulness and innovation have been part of the region’s DNA since the earliest times,” says Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 4 |Executive Director, Region 4, Megan Pōtiki (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe Waitaha and Te Ātiawa).
“He Toki Kai Te Rika is the place where we will nurture those who – in carving out their own futures will also carve out the future of Ōtākou | Otago.”
“Resilience, resourcefulness and innovation have been part of the region’s DNA since the earliest times.”
Megan Pōtiki (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe Waitaha and Te Ātiawa)
Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 4 | Executive Director, Region 4
Te Pūkenga
The development was completed with help from a $28 million investment through Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group fund for ‘shovel-ready’ projects in 2020. The project has employed around 200 tradespeople, construction managers and consultants since work began in January 2021.
Teaching at He Toki Kai Te Rika will be introduced in stages from Term 4 onwards to allow for the least amount of disruption to ākonga learning while key equipment is relocated to the new building.
The official opening on Wednesday 13 September follows a whakatuwhera to bless the project in August.
He Toki Kai Te Rika
Project details
- He Toki Kai Te Rika project was proposed by Otago Polytechnic in 2020 in response to the Government’s call to develop Shovel-Ready projects, aimed at stimulating and supporting economic activity in the city and region
- Government invested $28 million (combination of grant and loan)
- Construction began in January 2021; opening in stages to students from late-2023; fully open from start of semester 1, 2024
- He Toki Kai Te Rika is a key component in supplying qualified tradespeople for industry, and will support both the needs of local employers and the country as a whole
- Future projects in Otago and Dunedin include the new Hospital as well as major construction and infrastructure projects. All these will require a significant increase in qualified tradespeople
- Building will support both work-based and on-campus ākonga.
- This includes those studying:
- Bachelor of Engineering Technology (with Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering specialities)
- New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
- Welding (night classes)
- New Zealand Diploma in Construction
- Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying)
- As well as supporting work-based apprentices with block courses
- Strong sustainability focus includes following Living Building Challenge (LBC) principles, as well as using Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
- These are same materials as used in Te Pa Tauira, our student village across on Union St
- All floors have gender-neutral bathroom facilities and a shower.

He Toki Kai Te Rika - Main entrance
The story behind the name
- He Toki Kai Te Rika translates as “A Tool For Your Hand”. Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga was gifted the Māori name by rūnaka
- In the mid-1980s, as the site was being prepared for Otago Polytechnic’s campus on Harbour Terrace (it moved from central Dunedin location), workers discovered 4 stone tools belonging to early Māori; three toki – adze blades, as well as a pounamu chisel used for carving and working with wood.
Level by level
-
Level 1- heavy engineering teaching/project space (includes gantry crane)
- grinding room
- welding areas
- technicians’ room -
Level 2- main entrance
- atrium, includes video wall, ākonga and kaimahi open space, exhibit/function space
- project teaching space
- geotechnical teaching space
- ākonga eating space (with kitchen facilities)
- sick bay
- office, administration area
-
Level 3- 3x teaching spaces
- 2x computer suites
- shared printer/storage area
- 2x staff office spaces
- 2x small spaces
- 3x meeting rooms
- kaimahi open space
Just some of the programmes you will be able to study at He Toki Kai Te Rika
Engineering
Accredited by Engineering New Zealand, this programme meets the standards required for the Dublin and Sydney international engineering accords - meaning it's highly respected and recognised nationally, and internationally. Gain skills in management, economics, communications, problem-solving and critical thinking, while developing a deep understanding of your specific area of engineering - Civil, Mechanical or Electrical.Duration
3 Years Full-time
6 Years Part-time
Delivery
On campus, Work-based through Capable NZ
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Civil Engineering Technologist, Commissioning Engineer, Contract Manager, Electrical Engineering Technologist, Engineering Project Manager, Facilities Manager, Maintenance Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Mechanical Engineering Technologist
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools. This hands-on qualification is designed for people already working in industry, or for people who would like to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering the workforce.Duration
1 Year Full-time
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
Construction
During year one, you will study courses such as Material and Structural Principles, Introduction to Measurement and Estimation, and Environment. You will then move into more specialised quantity surveying courses during your second year. This qualification works well undertaken part-time, while employed in a related role.Duration
2 Years Full-time
4 Years Part-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Site Coordinator
Construction
Take a leading role in the construction industry. You'll be in high demand as a construction professional and have the technical, work-ready skills to price and manage construction projects and challenge the status quo to improve processes and drive efficiencies.Duration
3 Years Full-time
6 Years Part-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Contract Administrator, Estimator, Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor
Construction
Learn how to work safely, how to understand the principles of a MIG welder and how to weld different positions. You will also discover how to weld the different types of welds.
Engineering
During this training course, you will learn how to work safely, how to understand the principles of a TIG welder and how to weld different positions. You will also discover how to weld different materials.