Information about the performance of local tertiary institutions has been made public for the first time.

The Tertiary Education Commission's released performance results for every tertiary provider in the country.

From 2012, 5% of each providers' funding will depend on how well they did the previous year.

They'll be judged by student numbers, course and qualification completion, and progression to higher study.

Of New Zealand's three Wananga, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, based in Whakatane, has the highest proportion of students completing courses in 2009, with 80%.

It rates in the middle for the percentage of students completing qualifications, retaining in study, and progressing to higher levels of study.

Half of Waiariki Institute of Technology students successfully completed courses last year - that's the lowest proportion of students from 20 Technology Institutes or Polytechnics.

However the percentage of those progressing to higher levels of study is well above the median.