In mid-February , Education Minister Chris Hipkins proposed merging the country 's sixteen polytechnics into a " NZ Institute of Skills and Technology " in response to deficits and a slump in domestic enrolments . This proposed NZ Institute would also take over the enrolment and management of apprentices and industry trainees from the country 's eleven industry training organizations . In addition , the government will create a new vocational funding system . The Tertiary Education Union , Employers and Manufacturers Union , and the Canterbury Employers ' Chamber of Commerce have expressed tentative support for the government 's proposals . However , the opposition National Party 's Education spokesperson Shane Reti criticized the proposed merger , claiming that it would entail the centralization of decision-marking in the vocational education sector . In response to the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019 , Hipkins extended the polytechnic submission timeframe to 5 April 2019
Christchurch mosque shootings
Christchurch mosque shootings
Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand