New name confirmed for merged polytech

Tertiary students at the Bay of Plenty Polytech 2016 students' powhiri. Photo/SUPPLIED

Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has officially been renamed Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

The new name comes after the merger of the Rotorua-based Waiariki Institute of Technology and the Tauranga-based Bay of Plenty Polytechnic at the beginning of this year.

The new name was officially announced at a blessing ceremony this morning at the Windermere campus.

The name: Toi Ohomai

• Toi - Aspiring to and achieving great heights

• Ohomai - To be awakened and inspired through our learning, to positively transform our world and to remember where we come from.

What's behind the title Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

• Gifted by iwi from across the region.

• Encapsulated the aspirational journey of life.

• Encouraged innovation, achievement, inspiration and transformation.

• "Institute of technology" appealed to a bigger international audience than "polytechnic".