NZQA as Code Administrator

Information about our approach, priorities and key focus areas as the administrator of the Code

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

Student complaints about an education provider

Our priorities

The 2024 Code Administrator Plan

This plan outlines our approach, priorities and activities

Download the Plan

Engaging with providers and learners

Responding to ongoing provider needs and engaging with learners

Go to our comms toolkit

Building capability

Supporting providers through published guidance, forums, and workshops

Find out about Code workshops

Monitoring and review

Supporting self-review and undertaking monitoring and investigations

Using our self-review tool kit

Our key focus areas

Over 2024 and into 2025 we will focus on:

  • Engaging with providers and learners
  • Building capability 
  • Supporting and monitoring signatories.

Homestay accommodation

Reviewing homestay accommodation for both schools and tertiary providers is one of our objectives outlined in the 2024 plan.

We will highlight the combined disputes resolution scheme (Study complaints/Ngā amuamu tauira) and a rule change that allows homestay families to lodge a complaint on behalf of a homestay student in their care. 

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.

Email us at code.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz

See the workshops currently on offer

Publishing requirements (tertiary providers)

Ensuring tertiary providers have published:

  • strategic goals and plans for supporting the wellbeing and safety of learners
  • self-review reports on the quality of learner wellbeing and safety practices.

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 will carry out its delegated responsibilities through a sub-delegation to the Committee of University Student Pastoral Care (CUSPaC). 

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]

Gap analyses summary report 2021 to 2022 [PDF, 357 KB]

UNZ Finding report 30 June, 2021 [PDF, 411 KB]

Questions about the Code?