Our role as the Code Administrator
NZQA is the Code Administrator of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 (the Code).
What we do
As Code Administrator we:
- provide advice and guidance to providers and learners
- approve applications to become a Code Signatory
- monitor provider compliance with the Code.
Sometimes we also need to:
- investigate complaints and referrals about Code breaches
- take appropriate action to address proven breaches by providers.
How we do it
As we quality assure the Code, our approach will include:
- tailoring our approach to suit the different needs and operating environments of providers and learners
- providing capability building activities and developing guidance
- codesigning learner-led workshops to support learners to know the Code.
Related links
Becoming a signatory to the Tertiary and International Learners Code
On this page
Our priorities
The 2025 Code Administrator Plan
This plan outlines our approach, priorities and activities
Download the Plan
Building capability
Providing workshops and showcasing resources for learners and providers
Find out about Code workshops
Monitoring and reviewing
Identifying and addressing areas at risk of non-compliance
Using our self-review tool kit
Our key focus areas
Over 2025 into 2026 we will focus on:
- promoting the Code
- capability building
- monitoring and review.
Code self-review focus areas for 2025
Providers confirm compliance with all relevant Code outcomes by completing an annual self-review. If Code policies are well established, providers may choose to focus their self-review on a specific area. You could choose to focus on an outcome, for example:
- as a school signatory, you might focus on Outcome 18: Safety and Wellbeing to further clarify how well international learners are safe and well-supported.
- as a tertiary provider, you might focus on Outcome 2: Learner Voice to further promote strong relationships with diverse learners and ensure their voices are heard.
We suggest focusing on an area that is most relevant to your organisation’s needs. This could be where previous reviews have found gaps in policies or processes, and you would like to look further at the actions you’ve taken to close these gaps, or where you would like to enhance the effectiveness of your existing practices.
Building capability
Continuing to support providers to give effect to the Code within their organisation’s context.
Support is delivered through published guidance, forums, workshops, and direct contact via the code enquires inbox.
Delegation to Universities New Zealand (UNZ)
NZQA delegates some of its Code monitoring responsibilities of universities to the New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee (NZVCC), which trades as Universities New Zealand (UNZ)
UNZ findings reports
Read the UNZ findings reports below to find out how universities are performing against the Code.
University Accommodation Verification Report 2023 [PDF, 1 MB]
Attestation summary report 2022 [PDF, 524 KB]
Past Code Administrator Plans
2024 Code Administrator Plan [PDF, 463 KB]