Commercial risks and opportunities in the New Zealand tertiary education sector

The purpose of this paper is to use an historical approach to examine the changing nature, size and diversification of education and training in New Zealand. In particular attention will be concentrated on the emergence of the private training providers and tertiary institutions that made up a very large proportion of the New Zealand tertiary education system. After making a negligible contribution to New Zealand’s education system in 1990 the private sector now makes up around 16 per cent of tertiary enrolments. It will examine the relationship between the private tertiary education sector as well as the relationship between these institutions and demands of both students and industry.