After earlier this week saying the Government ''undervalued'' the polytechnic sector, Mr Ker yesterday said without further investment, polytechnics could not realistically be expected to meet Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce's aim of doubling the value of international education by 2025.
Mr Joyce subsequently responded to Mr Ker's comments, saying Otago Polytechnic's income had increased by 26% in the last five years and, given its financial position, it was more than capable of improving its facilities.
''The world has changed and it has been tough for everyone, but actually there are plenty of companies around, for example, that would give their eye teeth to have the sort of income increases that Otago Polytechnic has had,'' Mr Joyce said.
There was a need for ''realism'' when it came to expecting funding increases given ''the country hasn't even got back to surplus yet''.
''I don't want to be too cynical, but Phil does have this habit of popping his head up every three years and making these comments.''
Earlier, at yesterday's polytechnic council meeting, Mr Ker said the facilities at New Zealand polytechnics did not match those at overseas institutions and more investment was needed if they were to catch up.
''It is a truth that we cannot not invest at the level we need to invest,'' he said.
He did not have a ''beef'' with the Government's tertiary education policy, but was disappointed there was not enough funding to match.