Posted on 14 April 2026
EventsOpen Polytechnic attended the Marlborough Tasman Veterans’ Support Forum in Nelson recently.
The event was hosted by Veterans’ Affairs and The Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust and was open to all current and ex-serving members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and their families and whānau.
Open Polytechnic has had a long association with NZDF.
Back in 1946, 80 years ago, Open Polytechnic (then called the Technical Correspondence School) was set up to provide resettlement training, predominantly in trades and farming subjects, for returned servicemen and women following World War II.
In more recent times, Open Polytechnic has extended its support to also include NZDF veterans and family members, while also attending NZDF events to promote flexible online vocational education.
“The forum provided us with an ideal opportunity to meet face-to-face with current and ex-serving members about the learning opportunities that might be available with them, utilising the relationship between Open Polytechnic and the NZ Defence Force,” says Jackson Ertel, Commercial Manager.
Photo: Maria from our Commercial team at The Marlborough Tasman Veterans’ Support Forum in Nelson.