Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga executive director Dr Megan Pōtiki said not enough people were enrolled for the programmes to continue.
"Whilst this has been a very difficult choice, we are committed to trying to find a path that will best serve the Dunedin and Cromwell communities, and wider Otago region, and to play our part in achieving a sustainable model for New Zealand’s tertiary education sector," Dr Pōtiki said.
"As this is an active consultation outcome, the privacy of our staff is essential as we work through the appropriate processes, including potential redeployment opportunities.
"Our priority focus at present is on the wellbeing of our staff."
The Otago Daily Times reported in September more than 30 programmes were under review at the polytechnic and dozens of staff were affected by the proposals.
Dr Pōtiki did not say how many staff were affected by the cuts announced yesterday.
She said the polytechnic had resumed its "annual programme sustainability evaluations", which were paused during the merger with the national entity, Te Pūkenga.
"As the name suggests, it is intended that these evaluations will become part of annual business practice at our organisation again," she said yesterday.
Annual evaluations allowed Otago Polytechnic to look at how it was resourcing "demand for learning" and managing staff workload while remaining a sustainable organisation.
The evaluation process began in August as staff gained clarity about present enrolments, forecast enrolments and indicative applications for next year, she said.
Now, as the evaluation came to an end, staff would be informed of decisions in line with consultation timeframes, which were introduced in a staggered way.
The level 4 beauty therapy certificate and level 5 beauty therapy diploma would continue next year, as would the bachelor of social services and "all other programmes based at our Cromwell and Wānaka campuses in Central Otago".
"All programme outcomes will have been decided and communicated to our staff by Friday, December 13," Dr Pōtiki said.
Tertiary Education Union organiser Daniel Benson-Guiu said yesterday was a stressful day for staff.
The union hoped to hear more from the polytechnic today about "some of the other reviews through the week", he said.
Axed programmes
Dunedin
— New Zealand certificate in study and employment pathways (level 3) with a focus on beauty.
— New Zealand certificate in early childhood education and care (level 3) and (level 4).
— New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing (social and community services) (level 4).
— New Zealand certificate in English language (level 2).
Central Otago
— New Zealand certificate in brewing (level 4).
— New Zealand certificate in stonemasonry (level 4).
