External evaluation and reviews to continue online
For the past two years, most of NZQA’s external evaluation and reviews (EERs) have been carried out online. The immediate reason for the shift from face-to-face EERs was of course Covid-19, but there have been other advantages to online engagement.
Our experience has shown that it’s a more flexible approach (you can easily ‘visit’ multiple delivery sites), especially well-suited to smaller organisations, and more cost efficient. Feedback from providers about online EERs has been largely positive.
NZQA will therefore continue online EERs as the default setting for the immediate future. However, we recognise that there are occasions when a face-to-face engagement seems warranted. Common reasons include technology problems (areas with limited connectivity), ease of conversation with particular learner groups, ‘risk’ considerations, and building a relationship with a new PTE.
If the lead evaluator concludes that some or all of the EER needs to be done face-to-face, they will advise you and explain why. There is no difference in on-charged cost to you whether the EER is conducted face-to-face or online.
We will continue to review the pros and cons of online EERs. We always value feedback from the sector on such matters, and encourage you to complete the customer survey, hyperlinked to our cover letter for all final EER reports.
On this page
EER to include disabled learners
EERs will now include reporting on disabled learners as part of the ‘priority learners’ group. The new measure will apply to EERs where the scope of enquiry has been agreed from 1 July 2022.
NZQA does not yet have a set definition of what it means to be a disabled learner. However, the assumption is that disabled learners self-identify at enrolment, and this is recorded by the provider.
As part of the EER, information on disabled learners will include:
- The number of self-identified learner EFTS, where known (as currently for other priority learners, i.e. Māori and Pasifika)
- Your organisation’s own definition of ‘disabled learner’, if applicable
- Any formal supporting policies and processes
- The achievement of disabled learners.
Sector knowledge suggests that many tertiary education organisations already support their disabled learners well. In addition, PTEs that receive significant public funding ($5 million or more) are now expected to develop an action plan.
Disability Action Plan (external link)
The integrated Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice 2021 also has multiple references to meeting the needs of ‘diverse’ learners, which explicitly includes the disabled.
We are planning online advisory workshops for the sector on this shift (to be announced soon). These venues would be a good opportunity for providers to tell some of their success stories.
Consultation open on proposed changes to NZQA Rules
We are reviewing the NZQA Rules to reflect amendments to the Education and Training Act which came into effect on 1 August 2022, and to ensure the Rules remain up to date and fit for purpose.
Some of the proposed Rule changes are:
- Requirements for listing micro-credentials on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
- Rules for the approval and accreditation of micro-credentials
- Rules for the recognition of national curricula (‘New Zealand Programmes’)
- Requirements for listing skill standards on the Directory of Assessment and Skill Standards
- Clarifying offshore delivery and offshore partnerships and allowing for programmes that include work placements or practical training to be offered online and offshore
- Technical updates to reflect the changes to the Act, including ensuring consistency with new terminology.
We invite you to learn more and provide feedback. Please visit the rules consultation pages for information about the proposed changes and how to provide your feedback.
If you need more information, please contact us at:
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 21 October 2022.
Micro-credentials Insights Papers
NZQA has released two Insights papers looking at the rationale and early results for introducing micro-credentials into the New Zealand education system three years ago.
One paper sets out what was hoped for when micro-credentials were introduced, and reflects on the progress in achieving those outcomes. The other draws on a series of case studies to illustrate how micro-credentials are benefitting learners and employers.
Aromatawai and the Principles of Assessment document published
Aromatawai and the Principles of Assessment is a new publication designed to support tertiary providers and schools in developing quality assessment and aromatawai practices.
The publication also aims to strengthen a sector-wide understanding of aromatawai, a teaching, learning and assessment approach underpinned by mātauranga Māori.
Download Aromatawai and the Principles of Assessment [PDF, 5.3 MB]
Over the coming months we will develop additional guidance and resources to help support assessors. Schools and tertiary providers are encouraged to consider these principles, and the overarching kaupapa, when designing assessment.
Assuring consistency workshops
Want to know more about the Assuring Consistency quality assurance process?
The Consistency Review team at NZQA provides free Assuring Consistency workshops each month, delivered via Zoom.
These three-hour workshops are particularly useful for organisations that have an Assuring Consistency review coming up, or for new staff who will be involved in the process at some stage. They are also suitable for those who want to refresh their knowledge of the process and discuss methods for collecting evidence with other providers.
There are still spaces available in the September, October and November workshops.
Vacancy for Evaluator – Quality Assurance Division
If you are experienced in quality assurance and evaluation, the Quality Assurance Division is currently recruiting an Evaluator for the Monitoring and Assessment unit.
The Monitoring and Assessment team is stakeholder-focused with a warm team culture, focused on helping providers to deliver high-quality education to students in New Zealand.
If you want to know more about this role or what working as an Evaluator entails, please follow this link to view the vacancy adverts on our Careers Centre:
Evaluator | Wellington | NZ Qualifications Authority (nzqa.govt.nz) (external link)
Applications close 5pm Wednesday 5 October.
Code of Pastoral Care
Code self-review attestation
We will soon be emailing international Code signatory schools, all PTEs and wānanga to explain the self-review attestation process.
Our email will include a link to an online attestation form. Each link will be unique – please do not share your link. We will email this link to your organisation’s key Code contact. If you need to update your contact details, please log in to your NZQA portal.
Self-review and attestation resources (external link)
- The Code attestation form for PTEs and wānanga is due 1 November 2022
- The Code attestation form for schools is due 1 December 2022
Reporting complaints and critical incidents to NZQA (tertiary providers only)
The Code requires tertiary providers to report complaints and critical incidents to NZQA. We are working with key stakeholders to confirm a process that works for providers and supports Code outcomes.
We will give providers reasonable notice about the new process, and provide guidance.
Code 101 Workshops
NZQA offers free Code 101 workshops each month. You can register via the links below:
- Code 101 for Tertiary Providers (Outcomes 1-4)(external link) (external link)
- Code 101 for School Signatories (Outcomes 13-22) (external link)
Please note: if minimum registration numbers (10) are not met, registered attendees will be invited to attend the next scheduled workshop.
Any questions about the Code?
Go to the Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice section of our site (external link)
If you have any questions, please contact us at email:
Or call 0800 697 296 and ask for the Code team.
QAD on the web
Redesigned International section now live
The new-look International section of the NZQA website is now live. This is the first phase of the rebuild of the website, with other sections to be rolled out in the future.
The rauponga pattern represents our international learners. The long strips filled with niho taniwha patterns represent their journey to reach New Zealand from all directions.
There are temporary redirects in place to take you to the redesigned pages if you have existing bookmarks or links to the International pages. We will keep you updated as we release other sections of the website.
Go to the International section
2023 EER schedule published
The schedule for external evaluation and reviews to be held in 2023 is now available on the NZQA website. The schedule is subject to ongoing revision, and we will update any changes as required. (external link)
NZQA processes
TEO issue of New Zealand qualification and micro-credentials achievement certificates
The new specifications for the format of certificates for qualifications and micro-credentials are now on the NZQA website.
Go to the specifications (external link)
If you need copies of the NZQF logos referred to, please contact our Client Service team at:
Lapse of programme accreditation or training scheme approval
If a particular programme or training scheme has not been delivered for 12 months, the programme accreditation will lapse, and the training scheme approval will lapse.
You can apply for an extension to the lapse of programme accreditation or training scheme approval by emailing:
Change of ownership
Registered private training establishments planning a Sale of Shares, Transfer of Shares or Introduction of new Shareholders must apply for NZQA approval pursuant to Rule 6.1.1(b) of the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2021.
Applications must be made no less than 30 working days before the proposed transaction completion or settlement date.
An application for outlines the information that a PTE must provide to NZQA. The application must be submitted online.
Application for change of ownership of a registered PTE [DOCX, 79 KB]
Submit an application online (external link)
For more information see:
Change of ownership (external link)
Permanent delivery sites – what to apply for
If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a programme at levels 1-6 or a Level 7 Diploma, please complete the site approval form.
Permanent Delivery Site Approval Form [DOCX, 181 KB]
If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a degree (levels 7-10) at a new delivery site, please submit a Type 2 change application to NZQA for that degree programme.
The NZQA website has information about approving delivery sites, see:
Approval of delivery sites (external link)
If you have any questions about programme applications, please email us at:
approval_accreditation@nzqa.govt.nz.
Keeping your registration status current
PTEs must deliver at least one approved programme or training scheme within a 12-month period to avoid their registration lapsing.
If you anticipate not providing a programme or training scheme for 12 months or more, you can apply for an extension of time to stop your registration lapsing.
Apply for this extension before the 12 months of non-usage ends by emailing:
For more information about PTE registration see:
Coming up this quarter
| Send NZQA your… | Who? | By when? |
|---|---|---|
| Annual statutory declaration (external link) Different forms for PTEs and TEIs |
TEOs with a financial year-end of 30 June 2022 | 30 November 2022 |
|
Annual financial return (external link) Independent Assurance Practitioner's Review Report or Auditor's Report |
PTEs with a financial year-end of 30 June 2022 | 30 November 2022 |
| Audit of Student Fee Protection arrangements (external link) | PTEs with a financial year-end of 30 June 2022 TEOs not exempt (external link) |
30 November 2022 |
| Quarterly student fee protection attestation (external link) Quarter ending 30 November 2022 |
TEOs not exempt (external link): - static trusts - bank bond trusts Not required for standard trusts |
To trustee by 7 December 2022 To NZQA by 14 December 2022 |
| Fit and Proper Person and Conflict of Interest declarations (external link) Submit a new or amended declaration: - before any new governing member starts - if an existing governing member has a new or changed conflict of interest - if an existing governing member has a change in their fit and proper person status See Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link) for the definition of governing member |
PTEs only: - applying for registration - registered PTEs |
As needed |
Forwarding information and queries
Forward the above documents and any queries to: