Industry-Led Subjects

Intelligent systems use a combination of tools, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to analyse data, make informed decisions, build digital applications, and adapt to changing environments. Through project-based individual and group-work, students learn how to design, create, use and evaluate these intelligent systems to solve real-world challenges. The subject requires no prior programming proficiency as it leverages no-code and low-code platforms and can be implemented on a standard school computer. 

Students use practical digital tools — including workflow automation, agents and large language models — to create and build systems that work. As they do this, students also learn to understand what the system is doing, recognise where it might go wrong, how it can be improved, and decide when human oversight is still needed.

In a world in which intelligent and agentic systems are widely used, this helps rangatahi become confident, thoughtful users and creators who can guide these systems for the right purposes, design, build and hold them accountable. 

Construction and Built Environment explores the knowledge, systems and practices involved in planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and improving the built environment.  Students learn how buildings, and building services are designed, constructed, fitted out, and maintained. They learn why particular materials, systems, and methods are chosen, and how projects are made safe, durable, efficient, and fit for purpose. They explore how factors such as sustainability, climate, regulations, cost, quality, and client needs influence decisions, and how digital tools support the design, planning, coordination, and management of projects.

Students develop practical skills in interpreting technical information and understanding how trades and professions work together to deliver successful projects. They learn to identify hazards, assess how well a building performs, and apply safe working practices. Through authentic construction and built environment contexts, they develop skills in problem-solving, evaluation, communication, collaboration, and planning activities.

Energy and Infrastructure focuses on the systems that support everyday life and resilient communities in New Zealand. This includes areas such as energy supply, water services, the extractives and resource management sectors, and environmental and civil infrastructure. Students learn how these systems are planned, built, operated and managed, and why they are essential. They also explore how social factors like sustainability, resource use, climate change, and regulations shape decisions and outcomes.

Students look at the full lifecycle of these systems and use systems thinking to understand real-world challenges, such as the transition to new energy sources and maintaining reliable infrastructure. By combining practical learning with critical thinking, they build a foundation in how energy and infrastructure systems work, including risk planning, environmental considerations, and the technologies that support them.

Engineering Technology focuses on how the systems, machines, tools, and infrastructure that support everyday life in Aotearoa New Zealand are designed, operated, maintained and improved. It provides students with a broad introduction to the knowledge, skills and practices that underpin modern engineering practices and exposure to a range of industries these skills can be applied in.

Students learn about engineering systems, materials, and technologies through authentic contexts such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, infrastructure, automation, robotics, aviation, maritime, rail, and electrotechnology. They explore how engineering systems are developed, tested, improved, and maintained in practice and develop capabilities in testing, diagnostics, technical communication, safety and systems thinking. Through hands-on, project-based learning, they work on real-world problems and challenges, applying design thinking, problem-solving, and technical knowledge. This helps them understand how engineering ideas are applied in practice to create reliable and effective solutions.

Students explore how food and fibre industries use, manage, and care for natural resources to support environmental, social, cultural, and economic wellbeing. They learn about production and processing systems, supply chains, value creation, sustainability, resilience, and technological change. 

Food and Fibre covers a wide range of industries, including, but not limited to - production and growing systems for animal farming, arable, dairy, horticulture, conservation, forestry, and seafood, as well as the industries that support farmers to succeed, such as irrigation and fencing.  Students can explore areas that match their interests or future goals while taking a systems-based approach. This means they learn how resources, industries, communities, and prosperity are connected, and how decisions in one area affect others. 

Health Services and Care focuses on building broad, transferable knowledge and skills rather than training for a single job. Students learn how the health and wellbeing sector is organised, the different roles within it, and how care is delivered in real-world settings. They also develop practical skills to provide care that is safe, ethical, and culturally responsive.

Students learn how to understand care situations, communicate appropriately, and work within the limits of their role and responsibility. They apply health knowledge to support safe, person-centred care, and build an understanding of professional conduct, communication, safety, and ethical practice. This prepares them for a wide range of settings, including health, disability, aged care, mental health, and community services.

Hospitality Food and Beverage focuses on how the food and beverage industry operates in New Zealand. Students learn how businesses run, how culinary traditions develop, and the science behind cooking. They also explore how sustainability influences modern food systems, and how digital technology and innovation are changing the way food is produced, presented, and experienced.

Students learn to think critically about real-world challenges and apply practical knowledge with sound professional judgement. They explore issues such as sustainable sourcing, consumer health, cultural identity, and the future of work in a rapidly changing industry. 

Next-Gen Manufacturing focuses on how products are designed, made, improved, and delivered within modern and advanced manufacturing industries in Aotearoa New Zealand. The sector includes areas such as advanced and high-tech manufacturing, machinery and equipment, food and beverage production, metals, plastics and materials processing, and wood and primary products. 

By combining technical learning with an understanding of how industries operate, students gain insight into how innovative products are brought to market and produced reliably, efficiently, and at scale. They develop practical problem-solving, analytical, and systems thinking skills that support pathways into manufacturing, engineering, product design, automation, logistics, and other technical and industrial careers.

Students study tourism systems, visitor experiences, sustainability, Māori tourism and Tourism explores how the tourism system in Aotearoa New Zealand works as a connected network of people, places, businesses, policies, and environments. Students are taught how visitors and host communities interact, how destinations and businesses are planned and managed, and how tourism both depends on and impacts natural and cultural environments.

Students examine key issues such as sustainability, digital change, cultural identity, economic development, and the future of work in tourism. They learn about visitor behaviour and motivations, the impacts of tourism activity, the importance of Māori tourism, and the role of policy and governance. They also explore how technology is reshaping every stage of the visitor experience.