Code of pastoral care – tertiary providers
New Code: resources to support implementation
We have released three resources to support tertiary providers and international Code signatories to implement the new Code which comes into effect on 1 January 2022.
1. Guidance for tertiary providers to implement the new Code
NZQA has published Guidance for tertiary providers to implement the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Guidance for tertiary providers [PDF, 4.4 MB]
This guidance sets out NZQA’s expectations for interpreting and applying the new Code, including for learners based offshore and in workplaces.
It is pan-sector guidance that aims to address immediate information needs about applying the Code, with supplementary tailored resources planned for next year.
We recommend reading this guidance section by section, using the tool on the right of the document to navigate between the sections.
- Sections 1-3 are new, so we suggest focusing on these.
- Sections 4-5 are reformatted versions of existing Code guidelines (for student accommodation and international tertiary learners) and have only minor updates from previous guidance documents.
When reviewing practice, we recommend reading the guidance in conjunction with the Code and the gap analysis toolkit (below).
The guidance was co-developed with staff and learners from across the sector. We wish to thank them for their time, commitment, insights, and feedback during this project.
2. Gap analysis toolkit
This toolkit has been developed to support tertiary providers to undertake a gap analysis of current practices against the new Code requirements.
This is an updated version of the 2020 interim domestic Code self-review toolkit. It reflects the new Code and focuses on the gap analysis parts of the self-review process.
Go to the toolkit (external link)
3. Code-to-Code comparison tools
These tools support providers to quickly see the changes between the previous Codes and the new Code. They relate to the outcomes for international learners and student accommodation.
For providers with student accommodation and those enrolling international students, the new Code has retained some of the same, or similar, requirements from the previous two Codes (interim domestic Code and international Code).
Code-to-Code Comparison Tool for Providers with Student Accommodation [PDF, 207 KB]
Code-to-Code Comparison Tool for Tertiary Signatories [PDF, 276 KB]
#KnowtheCode
We have released #KnowtheCode, a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram for tertiary students to learn more about the Code.
We want as many tertiary learners as possible to know the Code so they know there are:
- support systems for their wellbeing and safety
- ways to engage with their tertiary provider, and to have their voice heard
- pathways to raise a concern if their wellbeing and safety is not being protected.
Please share this social media campaign with friends, colleagues, whānau and communities. Our social media campaign can be accessed by connecting with us on our socials:
Code of pastoral care – for primary, intermediate and secondary schools
There are no changes in the new Code to existing requirements for schools in New Zealand that enrol international students.
However, existing requirements for schools have different outcome and clause numbers in the new Code. As a result, schools will likely need to update some documentation, such as policies, processes and contracts, to ensure they refer correctly to the new Code clauses.
To help identify these changes, NZQA has published a tool to help schools map the existing international Code to the new Code.
Code-to-Code Comparison Tool for School Signatories [PDF, 188 KB]
International Code attestation for primary, intermediate and secondary schools only – by 1 December 2021
On 19 and 20 October, we emailed schools asking for the International Code Self-Review Attestation to be completed. Please note:
- The attestation was due to NZQA by 1 December 2021.
- Code self-review attestation 2021 is only for schools.
If you have not received the email with the unique link, or you have any questions regarding the attestation, please contact us (contact information below).
Any questions on the Code?
As Code Administrator, NZQA will continue to support schools and tertiary providers to meet their Code obligations through workshops, implementation resources and tailored support.
Please see our website for further details on the new Code:
If you have any questions, please contact us via email:
You can also call 0800 697 296 and ask for the Code team.
On this page
Student holiday safety
Supporting learners to be safe on the road
With the holidays coming up, NZQA encourages your organisation to discuss road safety with your learners to make sure they are aware of the increased risks over the holiday period, and to support them to be safe on the road.
Useful information links include:
Driving in New Zealand (external link)
New Zealand Road Code Online (external link)
While not compulsory, NZQA highly recommends you encourage your learners to have at least third-party vehicle insurance if they drive a vehicle.
Supporting learner safety in and around the water
Summer is here. No doubt your learners will be heading out to discover and enjoy New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers. To support learner safety in and around the water, NZQA also encourages your organisation to discuss water safety with your learners.
There’s more than one way to raise awareness about staying safe in the water, but if you need any tips or resources for your learners, visit:
Water Safety New Zealand (external link)
Online assessor support
NZQA now offers more online learning options and workshops to help assessors with the assessment of internally assessed standards. These are available on NZQA’s Learning Management System, Pūtake, via the Education Sector Logon.
A wide variety of e-learning modules are available, including subject-specific, bite-sized modules focusing on a variety of subjects and standards, several online best practice workshops, and other generic modules.
Assuring Consistency workshops
The Assuring Consistency team is offering free workshops on NZQA's process for assuring national consistency of graduate outcomes.
The workshops will be useful for education organisations who are delivering programmes that award New Zealand qualifications, or are working on developing such programmes.
In response to COVID-19, we have developed online workshops to replace face-to-face workshops for the ongoing future.
Registration for workshops
Due to high demand, we can only accommodate two attendees from each organisation to attend workshops within the calendar year.
Register for 2022 Assuring Consistency workshops (external link)
For any queries or assistance, contact the team at:
QAD on the web
New guide to external evaluation and review published
NZQA is pleased to advise eQuate readers that an up-to-date set of external evaluation and review (EER) guidelines have now been published.
In drafting these guidelines, we worked closely with sector representatives. We aimed to explain the EER process in a straightforward way, in plain English. We hope you will find the guidelines useful in preparing for your own EER, or explaining more generally what happens in an EER, how and why.
If you have any suggestions for further changes to this document, we would love to hear your ideas. Write to:
The guide is available at:
Guide to external evaluation and review for TEOs (external link)
Guidelines for approval and accreditation of level 1-6 programmes
Approvals and Accreditation have updated the programme approval and accreditation guidelines.
The guidelines provide detailed information for programme developers on the requirements for programme applications.
The guidance includes clarification of each criterion, suggestions for ‘supporting documents’ for an application, and links to useful resources on the NZQA website. Sample templates are also provided and can be downloaded from the guidelines:
Guidelines for approval and accreditation of Level 1-6 programmes (external link).
‘International’ tab replaces ‘Studying in NZ’ on NZQA website
Information that was previousy in the Studying in NZ section of the NZQA website is now grouped under an International section. The section has been rewritten into clear language suitable for learners, their whānau and international audiences.
The section includes information about using New Zealand qualifications overseas, and having overseas qualifications recognised for work or further study here.
Go to the new International section (external link)
NZQA processes
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 (external link)
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:
Approval of delivery sites (external link)
If you have any questions about programme applications, please email us:
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 us:
For more information about PTE registration see:
Guidelines for applying for registration as a private training establishment (external link)
Guidelines for maintaining registration as a private training establishment (external link)
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 September 2021 | 28 February 2022 |
| (external link)
Annual financial return (external link) Independent Assurance Practitioner's Review Report or Auditor's Report |
PTEs with a financial year-end of 30 September 2021 | 28 February 2022 |
| Audit of Student Fee Protection arrangements (external link) | PTEs with a financial year-end of 30 September 2021 TEOs not exempt (external link) |
28 February 2022 |
| Quarterly student fee protection attestation (external link) Quarter ending 28 February 2022 |
TEOs not exempt (external link): - static trusts - bank bond trusts Not required for standard trusts |
To trustee by 8 March 2022 To NZQA by 15 March 2022 (note that 7 February will be a public holiday) |
| 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: