Hawke's Bay bids to be new home for the Institute of Skills and Technology backed by mayors and regional council

The application was lodged by Hawke's Bay agencies and organisations including the five councils, EIT, Business Hawke's Bay and Ngāti Kahungunu. Photo / Supplied

Hawke's Bay has lodged a bid to be the new home for the Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), with the backing of the region's mayors and regional council chairman.

The application to permanently locate the headquarters of NZIST in Hawke's Bay was lodged by a number of Hawke's Bay agencies and organisations including the five councils, EIT, Business Hawke's Bay and Ngāti Kahungunu.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said locating in Hawke's Bay would put NZIST at the heart of a region that relies heavily on vocational skills.

"We have a large population of priority learners that will benefit from NZIST's activities," he said. "Vocational education and learning is of huge importance to our community and economy."

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said Hawke's Bay had a vested interest in promoting innovation in vocational education and learning as Hawke's Bay is "one of New Zealand's largest regions without a university, a key requirement for NZIST".

Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said Hawke's Bay was the natural home for the new institute, given the region was leading the country with the most comprehensive collaborative approach to economic and inclusive development via the Matariki Hawke's Bay Regional Development Strategy.

The regional economic development strategy, which was co-created by iwi, local authorities, business and central government, was created to support the creation of jobs, raise incomes and to improve the overall economic performance and competitiveness of the region.

Walker added that it was a fantastic opportunity for Hawke's Bay to be at the centre of vocational learning and support a major new education initiative.

Sandra Hazlehurst, Mayor of Hastings, said Hawke's Bay not only had the right infrastructure and logistical assistance, but also strong networks delivering measurable results across multi-layered projects.

"Our region has the advantage of being centrally located with excellent transport links as well," she said.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham said EIT, one of New Zealand's top-ranked polytechnics, plays an important role in the region.

"With proven strong partnerships and collaborative leadership across the region through the Matariki framework we believe that Hawke's Bay is the right location for the institute," he said.