Laidlaw College

What Laidlaw College does

Laidlaw College is a private, nonprofit theological tertiary institution headquartered in Henderson, Auckland, with a second campus in Christchurch and a distance learning operation. Founded in 1922 (and merged with the Christchurch-based Bible College of New Zealand, founded 1975), it is the largest interdenominational theological tertiary institute in Aotearoa New Zealand and claims to be the highest non-university ranked research institute in the country. It delivers qualifications from NZQF Level 3 to Level 10 across three schools: Theology (certificates, diplomas, Bachelor of Theology, Honours, postgraduate certificates/diplomas, Master of Theology), Counselling (Bachelor of Counselling, pathways to NZAC/NZCCA registration), and Teacher Education (Bachelor of Education Primary, Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary, both Teaching Council approved). A new Bachelor of Arts Te Tohu Paetahi with five specialisations is scheduled for 2027 launch.

The operating model is tuition-funded, with revenue from domestic tuition, international student tuition (plus a NZD $100 non-refundable processing fee), and student services fees. The institution pursues a direct-to-consumer go-to-market: website applications, a Student Portal, a "Student for a Day" campus visit program, open nights, public lectures, alumni events, and a network of partner churches that deliver the Certificate in Christian Ministry – Internship. Distribution combines on-campus delivery at Henderson and Christchurch, online/distance learning, and partner-college delivery for selected certificates. The underlying technology stack is conventional educational infrastructure: Moodle as the LMS, Microsoft Office 365 for student/staff portals, and a tribal-ebs student management system for applications and enrolment. Staffing comprises permanent (full and part-time) and a wider community of over 100 fixed-term/casual staff supporting academic delivery. The leadership team is led by National Principal/CEO Roshan Allpress (since 2017), with Rev Dr Pennie Togiatama recently appointed as Head of Education.

Name

Laidlaw College

Legal name

Laidlaw College

Website

https://laidlaw.ac.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Laidlaw College is a private, nonprofit theological tertiary institute in New Zealand, founded 1922, delivering certificate-through-doctoral qualifications across Theology, Counselling, and Teacher Education from campuses in Auckland and Christchurch plus distance learning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Theological Tertiary Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Theological Colleges (EDAHAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Teacher education
• Counselling programmes
• Distance learning theology
• Postgraduate ministry studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Domestic Tuition Fees: Fees charged to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents for various programmes including certificates, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications. Fee amounts vary by programme level and credit count.
2. International Student Fees: Higher tuition fees for international students plus a non-refundable processing fee of NZD $100 (incl. GST) required before application processing.
3. Student Services Fees: Additional fees beyond tuition covering student services, textbooks, and activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Laidlaw College is a private interdenominational theological tertiary institution providing NZQA-approved qualifications from certificate to doctoral level across three schools: School of Theology, School of Counselling, and School of Teacher Education. Programmes are delivered on-campus at Henderson (Auckland) and Christchurch, via distance learning, and through partner colleges. The college integrates Christian faith with academic disciplines and prepares graduates for careers in church leadership, teaching, counselling, and community work.

Product overview

Laidlaw College is the largest interdenominational theological tertiary institute in Aotearoa New Zealand, offering qualifications from certificate to doctoral level. The institution provides degree-level education across three main schools: School of Counselling (Bachelor of Counselling), School of Teacher Education (Bachelor of Education Primary, Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary), and School of Theology (Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelor's, Honours, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Master's, and Doctoral studies). A new Bachelor of Arts programme is launching in 2027. Qualifications span from NZQF Level 3 to Level 10, delivered across Henderson and Christchurch campuses with distance learning options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Laidlaw Graduate School: Postgraduate and doctoral programmes within Laidlaw College focused on advanced theological studies and research.
• Centre for Church Leadership
• Te Rongopai ki Aotearoa Project

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts A flexible three-year degree launching in 2027 with specialisations in History, Te Reo Māori, Theology, and Youth Work. Integrates faith with humanities education and includes practicum experience. Targeted at prospective students seeking a broad liberal arts degree with faith integration.
• Bachelor of Counselling A three-year degree preparing graduates to become registered counsellors with NZAC or NZCCA. Integrates Christian faith with counselling theories and practical skills. Targeted at prospective counsellors seeking registration-eligible qualifications.
• Bachelor of Education (Primary) A Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand approved three-year professional degree preparing graduates for primary school teaching registration. Targeted at prospective primary teachers seeking qualified teacher status to work in primary schools in New Zealand.
• Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) A one-year professional graduate diploma preparing graduates for secondary school teaching. Requires prior bachelor's degree for entry. Targeted at graduates seeking qualified teacher status for secondary schools in New Zealand.
• Certificate in Community Youth Work NZQF Level 5 qualification (120 credits) equipping students with knowledge, skills and formation for youth work, integrating Christian theology with youth development. Priced at $912 per 15-credit course or $1,824 per 30-credit course ($7,296 total for 2026 domestic students). Targeted at aspiring youth workers in community, church, or school settings.
• Certificate in Christian Ministry - Internship A one-year pathway for emerging Christian leaders combining ministry formation and theological study while serving churches. Targeted at emerging Christian leaders pursuing ministry formation and theological study while serving in local church internships.
• Diploma in Christian Studies NZQF Level 5 qualification available in Christian Leadership or Theological Studies strands, providing foundation for biblical literacy and ministry preparation. Targeted at students seeking foundational theological and ministry preparation.
• Graduate Certificate in Theology A 60-credit qualification for graduates with non-theological degrees seeking theological study or bridging to postgraduate theology programmes. Targeted at graduates seeking entry into theological study.
• Graduate Diploma in Theology A 120-credit programme for graduates seeking theological qualifications, providing pathway to postgraduate study. Targeted at graduates seeking advanced theological qualifications.
• Bachelor of Theology Provides solid foundation in biblical studies, theological knowledge and reflection, equipping students for pastoral and missional leadership. Targeted at prospective students preparing for pastoral ministry and missionary work.
• Bachelor of Theology with Honours A 120-credit programme extending undergraduate study into Level 8, focused on research and writing for distinguished theological study. Qualifies graduates for master's or doctoral level further study. Targeted at high-achieving theology students pursuing research pathways.
• Certificate in Youth Development and Leadership NZQF Level 3 qualification (40 credits) delivered by 24-7 YouthWork in partnership with Laidlaw College, equipping Christian youth leaders. Priced at $759 for the programme (3 courses, 40 credits) for 2026 domestic students. Targeted at Christian youth leaders working with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Theology A 60-credit advanced theological qualification for those with bachelor's-level theology qualifications, consisting of two taught courses. Targeted at theology graduates seeking advanced study.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Theology (Ministry Supervision) A part-time programme training supervisors for Christian ministry and helping vocations through two successive 30-credit courses. Targeted at ministry professionals seeking supervisor training.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Theology Advanced theological qualification consisting of taught courses, available to those with prior theology qualifications. Targeted at theology graduates seeking advanced specialisation.
• Master of Theology A two-year (240 credit) advanced theological degree providing master's level biblical and theological study with research project opportunity. Targeted at theology graduates pursuing master's-level research and advanced study.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates eligible for registration with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Te Wānanga IhorangicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Te Wānanga Ihorangi for delivery of Te Reo Māori specialisation within the new Bachelor of Arts programme launching 2027. This partnership supports Te Reo Māori language reclamation and ensures the education reflects and celebrates the language, culture, and heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. Applications for the Te Reo Māori specialisation open 8 June 2026.
• 24-7 YouthWorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Certificate in Youth Development and Leadership (CertYDL) is delivered by 24-7 YouthWork in partnership with Laidlaw College. This programme equips Christian youth leaders and youth workers with a strong foundation for safe, effective work with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Partner CollegesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner Colleges located around the country enable delivery of the Certificate in Christian Ministry - Internship programme, allowing students to pursue ministry formation and theological study while serving their local churches.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carey Baptist College: New Zealand's other major evangelical/Protestant theological tertiary provider. Operates similar interdenominational/Baptist-affiliated certificate-through-degree programmes with a focus on ministry formation, sharing both target students and faculty-pool constraints with Laidlaw.
• Bishop Selwyn College: Anglican theological college focused on theological education and formation in New Zealand. A peer at the smaller end of the spectrum but with overlapping programmes and audience.
• Trinity Methodist Theological College: NZ-based theological college delivering ministry and theological qualifications in a similar formation-oriented model. Comparable in scale, programme breadth (certificate to postgraduate) and reliance on NZ-based student recruitment.
• St John's Theological College: Anglican theological college in Auckland offering formation and theological education for ministry. Operates in the same NZ regulatory environment (NZQA approval, Teaching Council where relevant) and competes for similar prospective ministry students.
• Good Shepherd College: NZ-based ecumenical theological college offering tertiary theology and ministry programmes across denominations. Directly comparable in mission, programme structure and target student demographics to Laidlaw.

Emerging players

• Sydney Missionary and Bible College: Australian evangelical Bible college with growing distance learning offering. Emerging threat in the cross-Tasman distance-learning theological market where Laidlaw's online programmes also compete.
• Regent College: Globally recognised theological graduate school in Vancouver offering master's and doctoral programmes with distance options. Comparable in the high-end theological education space and a credible destination for postgraduate students that Laidlaw's Laidlaw Graduate School competes with.

Regional players

• Morling College: Baptist theological college in Australia delivering ministry, counselling and education programmes including accredited teacher training. Comparable in multi-disciplinary offerings (theology + counselling + teacher education) that mirror Laidlaw's school structure.
• Melbourne School of Theology: Australia-based interdenominational theological college offering certificate through master's level programmes. Comparable in formation-based model and programme breadth, but operates across the Tasman rather than competing head-to-head in NZ.

Others

• Faithlands Christian College: Faith-based tertiary institution in the Pacific region providing theological and ministry training. Comparable in mission context (Christ-centred Pacific tertiary education) but smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LaidlawCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laidlaw-college
• Xx.com/laidlawcollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Laidlaw College