Waiariki Institute of Technology,(Māori: 'Whare Takiura o Waiariki') based in Rotorua, is one of the largest tertiary institutes outside the university centres in New Zealand. Originally developed as a centre for adult and trades education, the institute began to offer bachelor degree courses in the early 1990s.
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The main campus (Mokoia Campus)is located in Rotorua and is set in clean, green and safe rural surroundings only ten minutes from the city centre. Regional campuses exist in Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane.
Waiariki is somewhat unique in having an on-site marae named Tangatarua, which translates as "two peoples" and reflects the bicultural nature of the institute. Tangatarua Marae was officially opened on October 5, 1996 and is named after a Túhourangi ancestor, Ihenga, who lived on the land where the Mokoia Campus is situated today.
Waiariki offers a small classroom environment, maximising individual attention and learning. Tutorial support is also available in many forms.
The largest courses (by student volume) are nursing, forestry, business, computing, tourism and hospitality. In addition to degrees offered by Waiariki, the institute also collaborates with Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, The University of Waikato, Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design and the Waikato Institute of Technology on a range of qualifications.
The new purpose-built Waiariki National Centre of Excellence for the Forest and Wood Industry was opened in July 2008 on Waiariki's Mokoia Campus in Rotorua. This high-tech training centre, the first of its kind for the forest and wood industry in New Zealand, features a three million dollar software and simulation package that will take forestry training to the next level. Through the new centre, Waiariki's School of Forestry, Wood Processing and Biotechnology will train people for such careers as silviculture, practical logging, wood processing and manufacturing, forest management and harvest planning.
Waiariki Institute of Technology is divided into six schools of study which offer graduate and postgraduate qualifications, degrees, diplomas and certificates in several subject areas. In addition, Waiariki Academy of Sport offers talented athletes the opportunity to prioritise their sport while gaining a tertiary education. Similarly, Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music supports talented young singers and musicians to reach their musical goals while studying.