Update on Pūkenga Rau – A Place of Skill, Growth, and Community

Have your say

We invite all members of the South Waikato business community to contribute to the Workforce Development Strategy by attending one of the following workshops:

10am-11:30am on 21 October (in-person in Tokoroa)
10am-11:30am on 29 October (online)

To register, please contact Jessica Cushing, Senior Strategic Advisor at Veros

Email: jessicac@veros.co.nz
Phone: 021 0864 4415

Clive Somerville

SWIFT Chief Executive

SWIFT Leads Workforce Development Strategy Amid Toi Ohomai Closure Pushback

In response to the proposed closure of Toi Ohomai’s Tokoroa campus, the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) has stepped forward to lead a coordinated workforce development strategy aimed at safeguarding local education and employment pathways.

The initiative follows a stakeholder meeting held at the South Waikato District Council on 4 August 2025, where community leaders, educators, and economic development partners gathered to address the implications of the closure.

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About Pūkenga Rau

Your questions answered

About Pūkenga Rau

What is the Pūkenga Rau building and why was it established?

The Pūkenga Rau building in Tokoroa is a purpose-built trades training centre designed to foster growth and investment in the South Waikato region.
The building opened in November 2023.
Its primary goal is to provide local access to vocational education and skills development, supporting both the community and the regional economy.
It was developed alongside Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology as the training provider operating from the space and main tenant.
The training facility within the building is operated by Toi Ohomai Te Pūkenga and was named “Pūkenga Rau” to reflect both the development of personal skills and the collective aspirations of the South Waikato people, especially the Raukawa iwi.
The goal was, and will remain, for the facility to play a key role in the region’s economic and social development by equipping residents with valuable skills and supporting workforce development.

What are the details of the space and how has Pūkenga Rau been used to date?

The building covers 3,550 square meters over two floors, including varied learning spaces, meeting rooms and office facilities, with significant parking and easy access to major transport routes.

The space is currently used by SWIFT and Toi Ohomai, with Toi Ohomai sub-letting some of its space at this time. Some smaller office space within the building is also sub-let to local businesses through SWIFT.

Tenancy and Usage

What percentage of the floor space is occupied by Toi Ohomai?

92%

What is the current status of Toi Ohomai’s operations at Pūkenga Rau?

At this stage, it is not confirmed that Toi Ohomai will be leaving Pūkenga Rau.
Any decisions regarding their future presence or operations at the site remain uncertain. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to Toi Ohomai’s official communications or contact them directly.

How do the lease and/or tenancy arrangement work for building Pūkenga Rua building?

As Toi Ohomai is part of Te Pűkenga, their lease of the space sits with the Crown.

The initial lease was for 10 years, so the Crown has 8 years remaining on its lease - June 2033.

Has the Crown provided any updates regarding the future of their lease at Pūkenga Rau?

Discussions with the Crown regarding the future of the lease are ongoing, and no decisions have been made.
There are a range of possible options, but it is too early to comment on what may happen. We will provide updates as soon as more information is available.

Funding and Development

How was the original building funded and how much did it cost? What was SWIFT’s role in its development?

The building was funded with grants from the Provincial Growth Fund, Trust Waikato and SWIFT.

The centre was constructed at a cost of $15.4 million.
The largest portion of the funding came from a government Provincial Growth Fund grant of $10.84 million, awarded in August 2021.
Trust Waikato contributed $1 million through its Significant Capital Projects Fund, which supports major community infrastructure projects across the region.
SWIFT provided the remaining balance $2.6M and played a central role in leading the project. The building is owned and operated by the trust.

Future of Education and Training

Are there any plans or discussions about other providers, such as Wintec, offering tertiary courses in Tokoroa?

Given the uncertainty around Toi Ohomai’s future at Pūkenga Rau, we have not yet considered alternative training providers. However, we remain open to discussions with Wintec or other potential partners should the need arise.

Would SWIFT look at running its own training courses from the site?

No. SWIFT will not provide courses and training itself. That’s not our core business. We will continue to work with partners who can support skills and workplace training needs for the South Waikato community.

How might future training opportunities in South Waikato be affected by any changes at Pūkenga Rau?

At present, there is uncertainty regarding the future of training opportunities at Pūkenga Rau.
Should Toi Ohomai’s services change or cease, we will explore all available options to ensure continued access to vocational education for the South Waikato community. However, it is too early to provide specifics.

Transparency and Impact

How will the community continue to benefit from the investment in Pūkenga Rau, regardless of any changes in tenancy?

Regardless of any changes in tenancy, Pūkenga Rau remains a valuable community asset. SWIFT is committed to ensuring that the investment by the Crown, Trust Waikato, and SWIFT continues to benefit the South Waikato region, whatever the future holds for Toi Ohomai’s involvement.

Pukenga Rau Floor Plan pdf

Pūkenga Rau

Pūkenga Rau is a purpose-built trades training centre located in Tokoroa, established to empower the people of South Waikato through vocational education and skills development. Opened in November 2023, the facility was created to address local workforce needs and to support the region’s economic and social aspirations.

The Story behind the Design

Rau Papa was inspired by the name Pūkenga Rau, by Raukawa representatives, given to the newly established Trades Training Centre in Tokoroa.

Rau Papa speaks to the whakapapa of the land on which Pūkenga Rau stands, the whakapapa of ahikaa and kaitiaki of the land, as well as the residents of the communities occupying the land.

Finally, Rau Papa speaks to the aspiration of continued growth and strength of whakapapa well-being and abundance of the South Waikato community, with the support and guidance of positive initiatives like SWIFT that encourage the attainment of higher learning