CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic have launched their new name — Ara Institute of Canterbury to be commonly known as Ara.

As you’ll be aware, CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic have been working to establish a Canterbury-wide educational institute. To reflect the new organisation’s focus on accessible vocational training throughout Canterbury, I’m pleased to advise that today we have launched our new name.

The new name is Ara Institute of Canterbury to be commonly known as Ara.

We have set out an ambitious vision for our new organisation to be an exciting, relevant, contemporary, vibrant and viable contributor to individual and community prosperity throughout Canterbury by improving access, extending the range of programmes and services and by becoming a destination for national and international students.

Our promise is to provide better access to a greater number of programmes, in a larger number of centres, supported with better services for all. Ara will be the platform for creating Centres of Excellence which will be nationally focused hubs that will engage with industry and attract local and international students to Canterbury. Planned Centres of Excellence servicing key industries include primary industries, health, broadcasting, sustainable practice, tourism and trades.

The new name reflects our vision. In Māori Ara has multiple interpretations including both ‘pathway’ and to ‘arise’. This reflects our aspiration to be a responsive and inclusive provider of education that creates multiple opportunities for all, regardless of origin and destination.

Underpinning the name is the Māori phrase Ara rau, taumata rau which embodies the essence of our brand. Ara rau, meaning ‘many pathways, many opportunities,’ references the Canterbury region and the many routes and rivers that criss-cross the plains from the mountains to the sea - the many pathways to success. Taumata rau speaks of multiple levels in learning and can be likened to the poutama design, which mirrors stepped learning with multiple entry and exit points. This reflects the varied aspirations of our learners and recognises learning as being a lifelong undertaking.

The bold Ara logo illustrates the journey of learning and the summit of success, while also drawing inspiration from Māori tukutuku panelling, traditionally used to decorate Wharenui.

The Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce, has approved the establishment of Ara following a robust process that examined all the options for providing the best vocational training. Ara will continue to operate as a government funded tertiary organisation.

At Ara we will continue to provide world class education and are taking this opportunity to innovate and extend how we deliver vocational training.

Ara now has multiple campuses throughout the Canterbury region of New Zealand, giving students more study options for where and what they study. Students will continue to graduate with a qualification accredited through the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) that will be recognised and held in high regard both in New Zealand and internationally.

We are excited as we begin the transformation to Ara Institute of Canterbury, building on the excellent reputation earned by CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic.

We will continue to keep you up to date about the new organisation including information on new programmes and student opportunities.

Can you please arrange for your database to be updated with our new contact details:

Ara Institute of Canterbury
P O Box 540
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand

Web: www.ara.ac.nz

Phone: +64 3 940 8000

As Ara continues on this path we look forward to continuing our work with you and your staff.

Yours sincerely,
Beth Knowles
International Director
Beth.Knowles@ara.ac.nz

Phone: +64 3 940 8017