People and practice
NZQA workforce and practice is culturally responsive and reflective of the Pacific learners and communities that we serve.
Fakataufata e mafiti he gutu mo e gahua he tau lima (Niuean proverb)
When you speak with authority, make sure you follow through with actions.
Strategic shift: Identifying and investing in the internal capability that we need to sustainably deliver our vision
Intention: This intention supports our Rautaki Whakawhanake Tāngata (our People Strategy) and how we will continue to attract Pacific talent that enable our organisation to be more responsive to and reflective of the Pacific learners and communities we serve. We will grow, develop, and strengthen our staff cultural capability and confidence to design, develop and deliver projects and programmes that make a difference for Pacific stakeholders.
Outcome: Pacific cultural capability, competencies and leadership are evident across NZQA operations
Key actions
1. Grow internal cultural capacity and capability to achieve our equity priorities.
1.1 Embed Pasifika across all the initiatives being delivered in Rautaki Whakawhanake Tāngata and grow Pasifika cultural capacity and capability across NZQA.
1.2 Grow and strengthen the Pasifika Staff Network, Tangata o le Moana and Equity Champions Network.
Measures
1.1 (a) Increase and grow Pacific staff across NZQA, including leadership representation to 10.9%* by 30 June 2026. There will be a particular focus on growing representation and cultural capability in QAD, Assessment and Strategic and Corporate divisions.
(b) Increase in participation in Pacific cultural capability programmes e.g., Fofola e Fala workshops.
(c) Participants at Fofola e Fala workshops report increased knowledge and confidence and can apply to their work.
1.2 Increased network membership and engagement that contributes to NZQA wide priorities and the effective implementation of the Takiala Pasifika supported by the Pasifika Staff Network, Tangata o le Moana and Equity Champions Network.
*This is a stretch target and mirrors the percentage of Pacific learners in senior secondary and tertiary education.
Outcome: Pacific centred practice
Key actions
2. Develop and embed culturally responsive practice across NZQA.
2.1 Establish a Takiala Pasifika Governance group to monitor and evaluate progress and improve identified practices, policies, and programmes through a Pacific equity lens.
Measures
2.1 Progress is reviewed and evaluated by the Governance Group with six monthly reports to the Board and the Taupulega.
On this page
Partnerships and perspectives
NZQA partnerships enable and empower Pacific learner success.
A fia vave o’o lou va’a, alo na o oe, ae a fia tuli mamao le taunuuga, tatou ‘alo’alo faatasi (Samoan proverb)
If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together
Strategic shift: Working more effectively with partners to support the demand voice to influence effective assessment, qualifications and quality assurance
Intention: Partnering with Pacific communities, organisations, schools, and education providers that contributes to Pacific learner success. Pacific voices inform NZQA wide priorities, policies, programmes, and projects.
Outcome: Pacific voices inform organisational key areas of focus from strategy to implementation
Key actions
3. Pacific voices and lived experiences inform our work.
3.1 Ensure the design, delivery, and evaluation of NZQA projects and programmes includes Pasifika input and guidance from groups such as the Taupulega, Pasifika Staff Network, Pacific student representatives and relevant sector and Pacific communities.
Measures
3.1 Pacific stakeholders are satisfied that their input has been reflected in product and service design and delivery.
Outcome: Partnerships grow Pacific success in Aotearoa and in the Pacific region
Key actions
4. Partnerships grow and strengthen Pacific success.
4.1 Partner with Pacific community groups and government agencies to increase participation, engagement, and attainment in NCEA, STEM and tertiary pathways.
4.2 Partner with Education Quality and Assessment programme (EQAP) and Pacific national education agencies to improve and strengthen education systems across the Pacific region.
Measures
4.1 Partnership approach results in increased Pacific participation, engagement, and attainment in NCEA, STEM and tertiary education pathways.
4.2 Feedback from Pacific Island country partners indicates that the ‘Strengthening Pacific Qualifications Recognition’ project and other support provided by NZQA has met their needs and has improved and strengthened national and regional systems and processes for qualification recognition.
Pathways and participation
Clear pathways support Pacific learners and their families to navigate and achieve their education aspirations.
Ka tomo te vaka i te ‘atu ‘amga ngaru. Kāre ra te Rangatira tiratiratu e maremo (Cook Island proverb)
The canoe might sink in the breaking waves, but the wise navigator will not drown. Good navigators stay focused and make wise decisions, even during challenging times
Strategic shift: Increasing our investment in sector capability development and education relative to monitoring and enforcement
Becoming truly intelligence-led across our education, monitoring and enforcement roles
Intention: We deliver culturally responsive products and services to Pacific learners, schools, kura and tertiary providers. Pacific learners and their families are supported to navigate education to employment pathways.
Outcome: Pacific learners are equipped with the skills, knowledge and qualifications that enable them to be successful as Pacific
Key actions
5. Equip Pacific learners, families and communities with the information and support they need to be successful
5.1 Work with schools and community groups to deliver our NCEA ma le Pasifika programme.
Measures
5.1(a) Families are more knowledgeable about NCEA and how to support their children.
5.1(b) Research shows that NCEA workshops have a positive impact and help families and students to navigate education pathways.
Outcome: Assessment is responsive to the needs and contexts of Pacific learners in secondary education
Key actions
6. Enable equitable assessment opportunities, and pathways for Pacific learners
6.1 Strengthen culturally responsive assessment support and assessor practice.
6.2 Continue work to strengthen the NCEA Evidence Framework to identify actionable insights that support Pacific learner success.
Measures
6.1(a) Increased uptake of culturally responsive assessment support materials.
6.1(b) Positive feedback received on the value of the support materials.
6.2 Increased publication and promotion of insights reports.
Outcome: Quality assurance approaches are responsive to the needs and contexts of Pacific learners in secondary and tertiary settings
Key actions
7. Responsive quality assurance approaches support providers to increase Pacific learner success.
7.1 Develop culturally responsive quality assurance approaches that better meet the needs of Pacific learners.
Measures
7.1 Examples of good practice will be developed and disseminated over the next three years.