Tertiary Training

Previously in the New Zealand Education system there was little available in terms of specific Plastics Education. What was available was incorporated into the Chemistry & Engineering Departments with only small amounts of time allotted to the subject of Plastics. Part of Plastics New Zealand’s role is to assist in upskilling & educating the Plastics Industry in New Zealand and therefore has been working with various groups in New Zealand to establish suitable courses and qualifications


Diploma in Design & Specification of Plastics

In 2004 Plastics New Zealand in conjunction with The University of Auckland, held a series of work shops to devise the format and content for the Diploma in Design & Specification of Plastics – an Industry devised Diploma course designed to meet the requirements of the Plastics Industry in New Zealand. Courses are primarily aimed at employees of manufacturing and supply companies (raw materials design, tooling , machinery or that make use of plastic components in a range of end use applications. Participants will come from such diverse functions as sales, marketing, etc. Currently the Diploma is delivered in Auckland and Christchurch by presenters who are experts in their field.
For further information and course dates please click here.


Post Graduate Certificate in Engineering (Plastics) - Auckland University

The Plastics Centre of Excellence is a Partnership between the University of Auckland and Plastics New Zealand and was established in 2008. The Centre aims at expanding & enhancing the knowledge base of the Plastics Industry through the benefits of research and leading edge technology. A key role of the Centre is to provide education and training programmes to upskill the industry at all levels, including the Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering - Plastics.

This programme is designed to assist students who are in fulltime industry employment. Each course will be delivered as a one-week block that includes both theory and practical exercises accompanied by self-directed learning and assignments.

  • Highlights of the Post Graduate Certificate in Engineering (Plastics) are:
  • Industry Relevant Courses
  • Lectures presented by industry experts
  • Programme designed to be completed through Part-time study
  • Intensive practical content at Plastics Centre of Excellence, Tamaki Campus.
  • Focus on processing, problem solving and product development
  • Credits can be reassigned to Master of Engineering Studies

For further information please refer to the attached brochure

Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering (Plastics) Brochure Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering (Plastics) Brochure

Or visit www.pcoe.org.nz.


Other Training Courses

Plastics New Zealand is currently working with other Tertiary Institutions to bring relevant and suitable courses to the New Zealand Plastics Industry


International Experts

At various times during the year Plastics New Zealand will bring out to New Zealand experts in their fields to run seminars for the benefit of the Industry. Previous International Guest Experts include:

  • Paul Waller - Film
  • William (Bill) Tobin – Injection Moulding
  • Chris Rauwendaal – Extrusion

For information on which International Expert will be visiting in the near future please refer to the Events Calendar.


If you have any suggestions for International Experts that you would like to see visit New Zealand please email your suggestion to info@plastics.org.nz .