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Taranaki polytech axes courses

20:29 pm on 16 November 2015

The Taranaki polytech ordered to pay back $4 million in government funding last year is planning to axe six courses and making five staff redundant.

In 2014, the Western Institute of Technology had to withdraw the qualifications of 400 Maori performing arts students and enrolments have since declined.

The Tertiary Education Commission has indicated 2016 funding for the polytech will be based on its 2015 enrolment figures, which are shy of the targets it has set itself.

The courses to close include diplomas in journalism and construction, and certificates in photography, welding and computing technologies.

The polytech is also considering the sale of its early childcare centre.