Who we are

Our vision 

Your community, your education, your version of success 
Tō kāika, Tō mātauraka, Tō akitū

Our vision is simple; we welcome all into our educational whare, and support everyone’s goals, no matter what they are. 

Our people are our learners (ākonga), our staff (kaimahi), and the employers and communities which we serve. 

We transform lives through learning; building the capability and confidence of our people so that they have the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in an ever-changing world. 

We’re proud of our long history, our roots and the land we stand on and we welcome you to come and share that with us. 

Our pledge

Down here, learning is straight up useful.    
   
We’re about small classes where teachers know your name.    
Mentors who have been there, done that, got your back.     
Local connections, community projects,   
being good neighbours and giving back.    
   
Down here you’ll get more than a degree.    
You’ll earn confidence, experience,   
and the independence to hit the ground running.    
   
In Otago we believe learning changes lives.    
   
Our partnership with Kāi Tahu shows that we respect and learn from tradition.    
Our Rainbow Tick means that everyone belongs here.     
We learn from the past and look to the future, because it’s yours to make.    
   
Otago Polytechnic. Straight up down here I Kimihia kia tika, kimihia ki ruka.  

Our values

Accountability I Takohaka 

Holding ourselves and others to account and acting with integrity. 

Caring I Manaakitaka 

Valuing people, communities, and the environment with integrity and respect. 

Courage I Māia 

Being bold, taking risks, learning from mistakes, and shaping a better future. 

Empowerment I Whakamanataka 

Inspiring and enabling learners and others to succeed. 

Our culture

Our learners are at the heart of everything we do. We trust each other to do what’s right for people and the environment. We have a strong sense of purpose and direction.

We work collaboratively and are well connected locally and globally, striving always for excellence. We are empowered to make decisions, helping each other excel and celebrating our successes together. We are future-focussed, not afraid to challenge the status quo, seeing change as opportunity.

We pursue ambitious goals and are willingly accountable for achieving results. We constantly improve ourselves and everything we do. Our people feel safe and supported in a caring, inclusive environment. We are proud to be making a better world together.

Our behaviours

We: 

• listen to and act in the interests of those we serve
• are respectful, considerate and act with integrity
• are unstoppable in our quest for excellence
• make decisions for a more sustainable world
• share and collaborate for better outcomes
• work with Mana Whenua to improve outcomes for our people
• take responsibility for our behaviours and actions, and meet our commitments
• hold ourselves and others to account
• respect each other’s backgrounds, abilities and beliefs
• help each other succeed and we celebrate our achievements together
• act with good intent, trusting that others will also
• welcome, act on and give continuous feedback
• innovate for a more successful learner experience and polytechnic
• encourage risk-taking and we learn from our mistakes.