Aoraki Polytechnic and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology may be forming a ''new tertiary organisation''.
In a joint press release yesterday, the polytechnics said they would be consulting staff, students and ''stakeholders'' on the plan before presenting it to their respective councils.
In the release, Aoraki chairwoman Janie Annear said the draft plan was ''about being sustainable''.
''Things have been tough at Aoraki and we have made losses,'' she said.
Aoraki chief executive Alex Cabrera emphasised ''no decisions have yet been made.
''The current preferred option outlined in the report would continue to provide education with a physical presence throughout the Aoraki region.''
There would be no ''immediate'' effect on polytechnic staff.
He hoped the change would ''increase the access to programme offerings across the region so that more learners can access existing programmes''. The most ''practical'' option on the table would be to ''integrate Aoraki into the legal structure of CPIT''.
''[That] means Aoraki Polytechnic would be disestablished.''
Mr Cabrera said it was a ''priority'' to ''[minimise] any impact on students. Our students' continued learning is paramount and will remain so through any changes.''
