A rich history of private tertiary education in New Zealand

In 1881, Charles Horace Gilby was reputedly involved in the government's infamous storming of the Taranaki Maori settlement Parihaka. A few years later, he opted for a quieter life and set up a shorthand school in Christchurch.

Mr Gilby's school survived until 1970 along with many other private commercial colleges.

Today, researcher Dave Guerin is writing a history of private tertiary education in New Zealand.

He said the industry was a valuable and growing part of the economy and the education sector and it was important for its roots to be recognised.

"Despite its size, the sector is sometimes marginalised but it has a rich history, and knowing where it came from and how they used to do things will help give people a sense of the industry's scale, perspective and whakapapa," he said.

Starting his research by poring over past newspaper advertisements, Mr Guerin said private commercial colleges were quite significant in their heyday from 1890-1950, educating thousands of students and, as is important today, giving opportunities to people who may not have done so well in the mainstream.

In 1908, the Auckland-based Hemingway's Correspondence School, which ran from 1897 to 1970, advertised that, "in the past 12 years we have taught over 4000 students from all walks of life".

The industry started declining in the 1940s as secondary schools and technical institutes started increasing their enrolments and reducing their costs, and universities took over the teaching of accounting. By 1970 the industry was a shell of its former self.

Though Charles Gilby's Pittman shorthand courses haven't survived and prominent basic business schools such as Harle's and Hemingway's are just memories, the introduction in 1970 of legislation regulating commercial colleges and the freeing up of the economy in the 1980s helped to open new markets which today form the basis of substantial sectors.

Late last month, Chris and Frances Woolcott, owners of Auckland's Languages International, celebrated 25 years in business with parliament's Speaker Jonathan Hunt as special guest (read our story on the school's 25th anniversary).

The school is New Zealand's oldest English language school, in a sector that is worth $300 million annually.

Second-chance educators also took off in the 1970s and many of our higher level vocational and academic providers started in the 1980s.

While most early private tertiary education providers have long closed their doors, a few have managed to survive. One landmark school in Nelson not long ago powered into its third century of operation. The Nelson School of Music opened its doors in 1894 and is believed to be New Zealand's oldest independent tertiary education provider. Still operating today from its historic, German-influenced hall that was purpose-built in 1901, the school says around 80,000 people visit each year to attend courses, take classes and musical tuition, enjoy concerts and workshops and see international and local acts.

The school and its hall have survived two world wars, the Depression and government legislation to include a music syllabus in schools.

Could it be a sound bet that the school might still be around to see in its fourth century?

If you have any information on the history of private tertiary education in New Zealand, please call Dave Guerin on 04 499 8159.