Welcome to the Quality Times – He Kounga Kōrero
Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai haere mai and welcome to the first edition of the Quality Times: He Kounga Kōrero - a new two monthly email newsletter for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) regulated by NZQA. The newsletter focuses on the ‘two Qs’: quality and qualifications, shares insights helpful to our sector, and keeps you updated on our ongoing implementation of the integrated quality assurance framework (iQAF). You will also find links to information or reminders you need to know about.
TEO Chief Executives and Quality Assurance contacts will receive this email every two months, from the email address qualitytimes@nzqa.govt.nz. I’d also like to welcome back subscribers to our now retired eQuate newsletter. If you know someone who would like to receive the Quality Times, email us:
Future editions of the Quality Times will be published on the Quality assurance hub of our website: a good place to start for finding information about our regulatory requirements.
Go to the Quality assurance hub
In this edition, we’re reflecting on what has been achieved six months into the two-year transition to fully implement the Integrated Quality Assurance Framework (iQAF), as well as looking forward to what comes next. Enjoy!
Emily Fabling
Deputy Chief Executive, Quality Assurance
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
On this page
iQAF: what's in place
TEO self review
In July, we launched TEO self review reporting through a new provider portal, supported by guidance, resources, and engagement activities. The new self-reporting approach is designed to reduce regulatory burden by placing greater reliance on providers' own quality assurance and self-assessment processes.
Our evaluators have completed initial discussions with the first TEOs participating in the process. We appreciate feedback and support from TEOs as we continue to refine and embed the new process. More information about the process and review schedule is available online:
You can also email the TEO self-review team:
Risk informed approach
In July we also published information about our new risk-informed approach on our website, providing greater transparency about how monitoring and regulatory activities are prioritised under iQAF, and highlighting our increased use of sector-wide intelligence and data as part of the approach.
iQAF: what's coming up
We have been developing quality descriptors to give learners, providers, government agencies and other stakeholders a clear and meaningful picture of provider quality. Look out for the public consultation on proposed draft descriptors that will start in the next month.
We are now laying the groundwork to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities to strengthen educational quality across the sector. An outcome of this work will be the release our inaugural annual system risk scan and new qualification impact reports, to provide greater visibility of sector performance and learner outcomes. As time goes on, TEOs will see the outcomes of our analysis used to inform our monitoring and compliance activities, alongside education outreach to support quality improvement in the sector.
Integration under iQAF extends beyond NZQA’s regulatory activities: we are working with other agencies including the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to improve data sharing, intelligence gathering, and proactive risk monitoring across the sector. We are also working with TEC to reduce unnecessary compliance and reporting requirements for TEOs. NZQA and Industry Skills Boards are also working together to clarify and streamline programme endorsement and approval processes, supporting speed to market of programmes developed by TEOs.
Industry Skills Boards (external link) (external link) (external link) (external link) - TEC
Te Hono o Te Kahurangi review
We are reviewing how TEOs use Te Hono o Te Kahurangi (THoTK), our kaupapa Māori quality assurance approach for the non-university tertiary sector, to ensure it continues to support Māori educational success and reflects Māori ways of understanding and assuring quality.
We are making good progress on the first phase of the three-phase review that will explore how the framework has been implemented, identify opportunities for improvement, update guidance and tools, and test a refreshed approach grounded in mātauranga Māori.
Other regulatory changes
Charging Credit Reporting Fees for micro-credential completions
In late June, Parliament passed legislative changes allowing us to extend the Credit Reporting Fee to completed micro-credentials. This change was included in fees consultations with the sector last year. We are now working through the required changes to our Rules. We will keep you informed of the date these fees will take effect and any applicable transition arrangements.
Current events
International qualification fraud
NZQA’s Qualifications Recognition Service is noting an increase in sophisticated fraudulent qualification documents. This is a reminder that when assessing overseas qualifications for enrolment into programmes of study it is important to verify credentials directly with the awarding institution where possible, rather than relying on applicant-provided documentation or contact details.
Guidance on how to check international qualifications
You can also contact us for support:
internationalunit@nzqa.govt.nz
If you are unsure about a qualification, you can ask the student to apply for an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.
Be part of NZQA’s Pacific advisory group: nominations open
We are seeking nominations for members to join the Taupulega, NZQA’s Pacific advisory group that provides Pacific thought leadership, advice, guidance, and support to help NZQA progress and achieve the goals outlined in our strategic priorities that aim to improve Pacific peoples’ education participation, engagement, and achievement. The group meets four times a year.
If this opportunity interests you, or someone you know, please contact us at by the end of August 2026:
Key date reminders
Please refer to the key dates section of the Quality assurance hub for the full list of dates for when to submit information to NZQA.
Annual Declaration
You are no longer required to submit a separate Annual Declaration form five months after your financial year end. The TEO self-review summary report will collect some of this information.
Approval, accreditation, and changes for programmes or micro-credentials at levels 1 to 6
You can submit applications to NZQA at any time. If you aim to be ready for delivery in the first semester of 2027, we recommend that you submit your application before 2 October 2026 for:
- new approvals or accreditations for programmes at levels 1 to 6
- new listing, approvals or accreditations for micro-credentials at levels 1 to 6
- changes to existing level 1 to 6 programmes (type 2), including Programme (Transitional)
- changes to micro-credentials (or changing training schemes into micro-credentials)
Please refer to your Approval & Accreditation contact, or email us if more information is required:
New Private Training Establishments (PTEs)
Three PTEs have been registered since April 2026:
*Connexis Inc. (the new PTE) will replace Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board Trading as: Connexis in the NZQA record as part of transition.
Resources
NZQA webinars and information sessions
We deliver webinars and information on a range of topics related to our work throughout the year. These are free and open to all providers. Check out the NZQA events page to view our listing of upcoming webinars.
If there is a topic you would like to see us develop a webinar on, please let us know by email:
Australian concerns about overseas student transfers
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) have concerns that some advertising by Australian registered providers appears inconsistent with the intent of Australia’s ban on paying education agent commissions in relation to onshore transfers. More information is available on the ASQA website.
Australian guidance on responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vocational education
ASQA has also published advice and principles for responsible use of AI in vocational education. While AI is increasingly being used across VET for administration, teaching, learning and assessment, there are risks that need to be managed with using AI tools that can make judgments and interpretations.