Whitireia (pronounced fee tee ray ar) is the name given by the local Maori people. It is taken from the name of a local Wellington mountain and means “first light of the sun.”

Whitireia is owned by the New Zealand Government. This ensures the education programmes offered meet the quality standards of internationally recognised qualifications. Government ownership offers security and a focus on student support. Whitireia was established in 1986 and currently has over 130 programmes of study available. Whitireia has established a reputation for producing a wide range of work-ready graduates who have gone on to secure employment both in New Zealand and overseas. Programmes of study can lead to a range of qualifications from certificate level to diploma, advanced diploma, undergraduate degree, and postgraduate degree. Full-time or part-time study is available.

The Auckland Campus is in the heart of the Auckland City central business district. It specialises in English, Business, Hospitality, Information Technology and Early Childhood Education courses for international students. As New Zealand’s largest city with a population of over 1.3 million residents, Auckland is the preferred study destination for over 20,000 international students. Auckland is the centre of commerce and is a vibrant and bustling city made up of a mixture of cultures and nationalities from all over the world. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland is surrounded by harbours, bays, beaches and islands. Auckland is situated near the top of the North Island and is the perfect location for exploring surrounding New Zealand destinations like Rotorua, the Bay of Islands and the Coromandel. The Whitireia Auckland Campus is located in the heart of Auckland City and is a specialised campus for international students.