The Publishers Association of New Zealand / Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) is delighted to announce that it has assumed responsibility for the Whitireia Publishing Course – New Zealand’s only full-time, industry-led publishing qualification. This takes effect from 2026 with a capped intake of 20 students at its teaching rooms at Massey University, Wellington Campus.
This decision was a response to the closure of the programme by Whitireia/WelTec, announced in 2025 and follows a PANZ Council vote to formalise a partnership with Whitireia, ensuring the continuation of the Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied) and related Microcredentials, and preserving a vital pathway into the New Zealand publishing industry.
PANZ President Eboni Waitere says the move represents a significant commitment to workforce development and industry sustainability:
“This course has been a puna mātauranga – a spring of knowledge – nurturing skilled graduates who are already shaping our industry. PANZ is proud to invest in this talent, ensuing a vibrant future workforce. From editing and project management to publishing, marketing and sales, our graduates’ skills make a remarkable impact across sectors.”
Under the new arrangement, PANZ has taken on operational responsibility for the course while Whitireia has retained NZQA accreditation and student enrolment processes. This continuity allows students to benefit from the course’s unique blend of practical experience, industry placements, and intensive mentorship.
Senior tutor Odessa Owens says the 2026 cohort will be limited to twenty students in order to strengthen the experience of ākonga:
“We are thrilled to work even more closely with publishers to prepare students for a rapidly evolving industry. Our hands-on apprenticeship style programme gives ākonga real practical experience and industry contacts.”
Odessa says students will work directly with publishers, editors, designers, booksellers, and authors to bring real books to life.
Benefits to Industry and Students
By taking a leadership role in the course, PANZ will:
- Ensure a secure talent pipeline, with skilled graduates entering the workforce each year.
- Strengthen industry networks through collaboration between publishers, tutors, and students.
- Support diversity and Te Tiriti commitments, including continuation of the Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Scholarship.
- Offer members access to interns, placements, and projects that build sector capability.
- Generate sustainable revenue to reinvest in advocacy and member services
Enrolments
Places for the 2026 intake are limited to 20 students and applications are very close to this limit already. If you are interested in applying for 2026, you can apply with the understanding that you may end up on a waiting list. You can also be added to the list to be contacted when applications commence for the 2027 intake.
For enrolment enquiries, visit here.
Whitireia Publishing Course – FAQ
What is the Whitireia Publishing Course?
The Whitireia Publishing Course is New Zealand’s only full-time, industry-led qualification in publishing. Running for over 30 years, it has produced graduates who work across trade, educational, legal, and government publishing, as well as communications and media.
Why was there a risk it would close?
Whitireia signalled it could no longer run the course on its own due to space and delivery constraints. Without industry intervention, the course would have faced closure — leaving a significant skills gap in New Zealand publishing.
Who is now running it?
The Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) will take on operational leadership, including employing tutors, and leading promotion. Whitireia will retain NZQA accreditation and enrolment processes.
Where will it be run from?
From 2026 PANZ will be delivering the Whitireia and WelTec Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied) from its teaching rooms at Massey University, Wellington Campus, retaining the course’s Wellington location and the benefits of a campus environment and facilities.
How many students can enrol?
The 2026 intake is capped at 20 students.
What makes this course unique?
- Hands-on, apprenticeship-style learning
- Two work placements for each student in real publishing environments, and three internships per year
- Two scholarships (Mason Publishing Scholarship and Penguin Random House Māori and Pacific Publishing Scholarship) and two industry-sponsored awards
- Mentoring from industry professionals
- Projects where students take real manuscripts from pitch to publication
- Strong employment outcomes – graduates are in demand across the sector. On average, over recent years at least 75% of graduates are in publishing or publishing-adjacent work within 6 months of graduation.
What are the benefits for industry?
- A secure and diverse talent pipeline
- Strengthened whanaungatanga across the sector
How do people apply?
Enrolments continue to be managed through Whitireia’s website. Students can submit enquiries and apply now. However, places for the 2026 intake are limited and applications are very close to the limit already. If you are interested in applying for 2026, you can apply with the understanding that you may end up on a waiting list. You can also be added to the list to be contacted when applications commence for the 2027 intake.
Register your interest via: https://www.whitireiaweltec.ac.nz/study-programmes/creativity/creative-writing-and-publishing/graduate-diploma-in-publishing-applied
