Tertiary education broken up for spare parts in reshuffle.

In a bizarre move, the Prime Minister has split the tertiary education sector into two portfolios in his January cabinet reshuffle. Dr Shane Reti has been handed responsibility for universities, while Penny Simmonds retains responsibility for polytechnics as “Minister of Vocational Education”. It’s unclear which minister, if any, will be a voice for wānanga.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union’s Tumu Whakarae – Tiriti | National President – Tiriti Dr Julie Douglas describes it as “a dog’s breakfast.”

“For universities, this may provide some improvement from the previous minister who had no interest in them, and at least Dr Reti is inside cabinet. But polytechnics are stuck with the same weak minister with the same destructive agenda, and wānanga appear to have once again been completely forgotten and ignored.”

“It’s ridiculous to break the sector up like this. We now have two ministers competing for funding, one in cabinet and one outside. One on a tunnel-visioned mission to break up Te Pūkenga no matter the consequences and the other demoted from the Health portfolio, which is where his heart lies. Students, employers and the public need to see consistency across the sector and this is a good way to deliver the opposite.”

Miriama Postlethwaite, National Programme Coordinator – Indigenous Graduate Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi says “wānanga provide an alternative to Western education models, operating within a kaupapa Māori framework, embedding Māori language, customs, and worldviews into their teaching and governance structures. It’s therefore concerning that Wānanga seem to have been left out of the conversation yet again.”

“The restructuring of tertiary education portfolios should have included a clear recognition of the role of wānanga as distinct but equally important institutions alongside universities and polytechnics. This split in ministerial oversight creates uncertainty—not just in terms of funding but also in terms of advocacy for wānanga-specific needs.”

“Given the unique kaupapa and obligations of wānanga under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the government should clarify where they stand in this new structure.”