This comes as staff await a major update on long-threatened job cuts tomorrow with the release of new structural proposals by mega-polytechnic Te Pūkenga.
Otago Polytechnic, which merged with Te Pūkenga last November, said it had 4829 equivalent fulltime students last June .
It has 4384 students at present, a drop of 9.2%.
This drop had been forecast, a spokesperson said.
"Enrolments in campus-based learning tend to drop when there is low unemployment and plenty of job opportunities."
"We are working to rebuild enrolments, including from international students, and we continue to offer new national qualifications and learning and training options that are more flexible."
In contrast to overall enrolments, international student numbers had leapt 60.3%.
There are 468 international students enrolled at Otago Polytechnic campuses, including Auckland International Campus, up from 292 last June.
Otago Polytechnic executive director Chris Williamson said while there were a range of market drivers affecting enrolments, a student satisfaction survey last year showed satisfaction ratings were at 95%, the same as it had been in 2021.
"In the context of the disruption created by Covid-19 and other factors, that’s a very strong result."
As Te Pūkenga was meant to bring together both work and campus-based learning, the union believed this should be taken into account.
Economic changes could change the mood of employers, who might want to send some apprentices back to the on-campus system.
"The on-campus system needs to be ready to be able to cater to that and it cannot be undermined right now.
Staff wanted a sense of certainty about the work they were doing which Te Pūkenga was currently failing to provide.
"Staff are anxious. It feels like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel."
Tomorrow’s document would be significant, affecting polytechnics under the Te Pūkenga umbrella nationally, he said.
Members across the country were "very aware" of it.
"The union doesn’t know the contents of that management of change yet, but what we do know is it will be focused on some of the delivery areas."
This follows Otago Polytechnic’s announcement last October it would cut costs by 3%, or $2.7 million, sparking concerns jobs would be lost.
In November then-executive director Dr Megan Gibbons said it was likely leadership roles would be cut as functions were consulted on and the new structure stood up.
In a press release last week, Te Pūkenga said once the proposals were released, staff and stakeholders would be invited to provide feedback during a five-week consultation period.
Final decisions were expected in August.
A Te Pūkenga spokesperson said it was part of planned strategy that covered five of its eight business groups.
Further detail could be provided once staff were informed.
