Skip to main content

Diversity, inclusion and equity

Our plan to make the workplace fairer and more inclusive

NZQA is committed to providing its people with an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity is celebrated.

Diversity and inclusion in the Public Service

The Public Service diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programme builds on the Papa Pounamu and Kia Toipoto work programmes to:

  • increase diversity at all levels, to reflect and deliver for the communities we serve
  • make substantial progress toward closing gender, Māori, Pacific and ethnic pay gaps
  • accelerate progress for wāhine Māori, Pacific women, and women from ethnic communities
  • create fairer workplaces, including for disabled people and members of Rainbow communities
  • strengthen inclusion so that everyone feels respected, valued, and able to achieve their potential.

Improving diversity and inclusion in the Public Service (external link) - Public Service Commission

Our action plan

NZQA's DEI plan reflects our strategic goals and commitments, including our commitment to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Our plan details our approach across:

  • developing and implementing consistent policies and initiatives that promote and retain a diverse workforce
  • upskilling our leaders to ensure equitable, best practice management across our organisation
  • supporting initiatives focused on kaimahi engagement, to keep building a positive organisational culture.

Download NZQA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan 2025-2026 [PDF, 848 KB]

“NZQA is committed to equitable outcomes for Māori as tangata whenua. We are also committed to equitable outcomes for Pacific learners, disabled learners and learners from socio-economically disadvantaged circumstances.

​​​​​​​These commitments apply across NZQA’s work, and underpin our deliberate equity focus on learners who face the greatest barriers to educational success through the compounding effects of disadvantage.

These equity commitments are a component of how we fulfil our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and reflect the priorities described in NZQAs strategic action plans Te Kōkiritanga and Takiala Pasifika, and NZQA’s Disability Action Plan.”
NZQA