Formerly known as the Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Whitireia is a leading institute for tertiary education in New Zealand. It is owned and funded by the government. The institution was established as a community college in Porirua Harbour in the year 1986. Whitireia adopted its current name in the year 2011.

The institution operates in collaboration with the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec). It signed a strategic partnership WelTec in 2012, which aims at delivering more academic options and opportunities to students.

Whitireia hosts classes at its five campuses in Auckland, Petone, Porirua, and Wellington. Located about 20 minutes away from Wellington, the Porirua campus is the main campus of the Whitireia. Built-in the year 1986, it is amongst the most beautiful institutional sites in the country. Auckland Campus is located on Queen Street in downtown Auckland, close to the bus and train networks. There are a number of study options available including full, part-time study and flexible online learning. Construction campus is located on State Highway 2, just minutes from Petone railway station with lots of parking available. It is home to the Construction and trade study programs. Located right in the heart of Wellington City, situated on the corner of Cuba Street and Dixon Street, Te K?hui Auaha is the creative campus that opened in 2018. It houses two theatres, 55 seater cinema, an exhibition gallery, and a performance studio. Hospitality Campus is located on Wellington’s famous Cuba Street, just a 15-minute walk from Wellington railway station. This campus is home to the training restaurant Bistro 52 and the Latte Lab café.