The merger of Aoraki Polytechnic and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology has been confirmed by the government.

The new institution will initially be called CPIT Aoraki, although it's likely to get a new name next year.

It'll include existing campuses in Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch.

The Aoraki campus in Dunedin is being taken over by Otago Polytechnic, which will run its programmes based on demand.

The move comes after 18 months of planning as well as public consultation.