NZQA's role
NZQA is responsible for upholding the integrity of external assessments.
We take any possible breaches of external assessment seriously and may investigate any report of a possible breach.
Visual Arts and the Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT)
External assessment in Visual Arts Levels 1 and 2, and the Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT), is administered by schools. Investigation of possible breaches of the rules in these assessments is the school's responsibility, using their own policy and process.
On this page
What is a breach?
Candidates receive a candidate information sheet outlining rules for candidates and exam instructions before external assessment begins.
Exam supervisors also remind candidates of exam instructions at the start of each examination.
Examples of behaviours that require a breach investigation include:
- bringing any blank or refill paper into an examination room
- using notes
- communicating with or disturbing other candidates in any way
- accessing a mobile phone
- having or using an unauthorised electronic device during any examination.
More information
What happens when a breach is reported
Your rights
Any student who has a possible breach reported about them, has a right to:
- a fair process and decision making
- be informed
- participate and be heard
- privacy.
If your parent, caregiver or any other person contacts us to request information or discuss any details, we will always ask for your permission first.
If this request causes any worries for you, please talk to someone for support.
This could be a trusted adult at home or at your school, or in your community.
You can also phone NZQA.
We request a response
When we receive a report of a possible breach of external assessment conditions, we request a response from those involved.
Your response can be emailed to us and we may then make a decision.
Complete the breaches reply form below and email it to us.
Breaches reply form [DOCX, 64 KB]
We may ask to meet with you
Sometimes we request to meet with those involved if further clarification is needed. We use an independent contractor to chair these meetings.
Read our meeting pamphlet to know what to expect if we request to meet with you:
Meeting pamphlet [PDF, 203 KB]
Our decisions
Our decisions include:
- taking no further action
- issuing a written warning
- imposing a penalty, such as having external assessment results withheld for the affected standards.
How to report a breach
Candidates
If you are a candidate who has witnessed a possible breach, please contact your exam supervisor, Exam Centre Manager, or Principal's Nominee.
If the external assessment has already finished, you can still contact your Principal's Nominee.
Schools
To report a possible breach schools need to complete the possible breach form and email it to us:
Possible breach form [DOCX, 68 KB]
Before completing and submitting the form, please refer to the guidance below and check the instructions (and the relevant subject web page).
Find out more about possible breaches in external assessment [DOCX, 27 KB]
Subjects that schools can report
Schools can report possible breaches of authenticity in:
- Technology
- Level 1, 2 and 3 Design and Visual Communication, and New Zealand Scholarship Design and Visual Communication
- Level 3 Education for Sustainability
- Level 3 Visual Arts
- New Zealand Scholarship Dance
- New Zealand Scholarship Drama
- New Zealand Scholarship Music
- New Zealand Scholarship Physical Education
- Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau | Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities
- Level 1 submitted subjects.
Exam Centre Managers and supervisors
Exam Centre Managers and supervisors report an alleged breach to NZQA by completing and emailing the possible breach form to us at:
Possible breach form [DOCX, 46 KB]
A hand-signed copy can also be posted to:
Breaches
NZQA
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140
Markers
Markers can report a possible breach to NZQA by completing the marker irregular answer book form.
Irregular answer booklet form [DOC, 66 KB]
Send a signed copy along with any examination booklets to:
Subject NAF
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140.
School relationship manager contacts
Alice Wards
School Relationship Manager
Phone: 04 463 3294
Karen Eder
School Relationship Manager
Phone: 04 463 4358
Matehaere Clarke
School Relationship Manager
Phone: 04 463 3093