Ara Institute of Canterbury
{{Short description|New Zealand tertiary organisation}}
{{For|the former secondary school|Christchurch Technical High School}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Ara Institute of Canterbury
| native_name =
| image_name = Ara Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 14.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| latin_name =
| motto = Ara rau, taumata rau
| mottoeng = Many pathways, many opportunities
| established = 2016
| closed =
| type = Public
| students = 6290 EFTS (2023)Provider Summary: Enrolments, EFTS https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/excel_doc/0017/62513/provider_summary_tables-2023.xlsx
| city = Christchurch
| country = New Zealand
| coor = {{coord|-43.538259|172.643189|display=inline,title|type:edu}}
| campus = Urban
| former_names = Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, CPIT, Christchurch Technical College, Aoraki Polytechnic
| website = {{url|http://www.ara.ac.nz/}}
| logo = 100px
}}
Ara Institute of Canterbury, often simply referred to as Ara, is an institute of technology in Canterbury, New Zealand. It was formed in 2016 from the merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and Aoraki Polytechnic.
Ara specialises in applied tertiary training. Subject choices include business, engineering, architecture, nursing, creative arts, hospitality, computing, science, languages, outdoor education, and broadcasting. Programmes range from Level 1 to Level 9. The institute works closely with industry to ensure students have relevant skills for employment, and have a wide range of work placement opportunities.
Each year around 14,000 students enrol at Ara, including many international students. Ara is internationally recognised and has one of the best English language training centres in New Zealand. Over 50 countries are represented among staff and students at Ara.
On 1 April 2020, Ara became a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga (the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) alongside the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) in the country.{{cite news |last1=Kenny |first1=Lee |title=Wanted: 'Sophisticated' leader to head NZ's mega polytech |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/116969565/wanted-sophisticated-leader-to-head-nzs-mega-polytech |accessdate=2 March 2020 |work=Stuff |date=29 October 2019}}
Campus
Ara has six campuses in Canterbury and North Otago (three in Christchurch and one each in Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru), making it the largest tertiary institute in the South Island.
The Meaning of Ara
Previously known as CPIT or Christchurch Polytech, Ara was created in 2016 when CPIT and Aoraki Polytechnic merged. Ara is the Māori word for path or journey{{Cite web |title=Ara — Te Aka Māori Dictionary |url=https://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/334 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=ara - Te Aka Māori Dictionary |language=en}} representing the learning process, the many pathways to success, as well as the routes and rivers that criss-cross the Canterbury Plains.
Underpinning the Ara logo is the phrase 'Ara rau, taumata rau' which translates to 'many pathways, many opportunities'. This phrase captures the varied aspirations of our learners, and recognises that learning is a lifelong undertaking.
Buildings on the City campus, Madras Street, Christchurch
- Kahukura – This block built for architecture and engineering studies was completed in June 2017 and is named after the Māori for a chief's cloak.{{Cite web|date=10 August 2017|title=Ara's $34 million Kahukura building officially opened|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/95630847/aras-34-million-kahukura-building-officially-opened|access-date=14 July 2021|website=Stuff|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Ara Institute's Kahukura building|url=https://hawkins.co.nz/projects/ara-institutes-kahukura-building|url-status=live|access-date=14 July 2021|website=hawkins.co.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819013413/http://hawkins.co.nz:80/projects/ara-institutes-kahukura-building |archive-date=19 August 2018 }}
- Te Kei – This two-storey building housing executive and administrative staff was completed in 2018 and is named after the Māori for the bow of the canoe.{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=Te Kei|url=https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/national/award-detail/7538|url-status=live|access-date=14 July 2021|website=NZ Institute of Architects|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216015838/https://nzia.co.nz/awards/national/award-detail/7538 |archive-date=16 February 2019 }}{{Cite web|title=Te Kei Executive Administration|url=https://www.inovo.nz/projects/te-kei-administration|access-date=14 July 2021|website=Inovo Projects|language=en-NZ}}
- Te Puna Wānaka – This is the centre for Māori, Pacific and indigenous studies which was built in 1996. A year long refurbishment to address damage caused by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake was completed for its reopening on 7 July 2021.{{Cite web|date=14 July 2021|title=Christchurch's 'anchor point' for Māori culture reopens after year-long refurbishment|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/125749129/christchurchs-anchor-point-for-mori-culture-reopens-after-yearlong-refurbishment|access-date=14 July 2021|website=Stuff|language=en}}
Faculty and alumni
{{see also|Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology#Alumni|Aoraki Polytechnic#Alumni}}
- Miranda Easten – country music singer-songwriter
- Cathy Andrew - Head of Nursing at Ara
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.ara.ac.nz}}
{{Vocational education in New Zealand}}
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Category:Educational institutions established in 2016
Category:Education in the Canterbury Region
Category:Organisations based in Christchurch
Category:Vocational education in New Zealand
Category:2016 establishments in New Zealand
Category:Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology