In 2007, a working group was formed under the Tairawhiti Development Partnership to develop a Regional Tertiary Strategy that encompasses economic, social, and cultural development and engages with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Industry Training Organisations (ITO's), Tertiary Education Providers, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development and local iwi in aligning the strategy with the Regional Tertiary Statement for Tairāwhiti.
In 2008, Tairāwhiti Polytechnic’s objective was to establish a steering group for the Tertiary Sector; update the regional statement produced in 2007; and commence mapping Tertiary provision in Tairawhiti as a joint project for the group that will create a user friendly resource for the community as a tangible output to build on. Judi Rendall & Ngahuia Ngata lead this project
In 2009, Judi Rendall left the region and Ngahuia Ngata continued to lead the regional facilitation process looking at how the tertiary needs of the Tairāwhiti region can best be met. Tairāwhiti Polytechnic’s involvement and contribution to regional facilitation of tertiary education in the Tairāwhiti concluded at the end of 2009.