Qualifications and standards

Discretionary entry - appeal process

Information for applicants

If you have been declined by a New Zealand university for entry to a course of study under the Discretionary or Ad Eundem Statum Entry regulations, you have the right to lodge an appeal with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

The appeal should be addressed to:

Chief Executive
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
PO Box 160
WELLINGTON

Email: grant.klinkum@nzqa.govt.nz

Please include the following information:

Your full name
Your address, email and phone number
The university you applied to enter
A copy of the letter declining entry
A statement outlining the reasons for your appeal.

On receiving your appeal, NZQA will request your application file from the university. The appeal process examines the evidence used by the university to make their decision, to determine whether the decision was consistent with the university’s regulations for discretionary or Entrance Ad Eundem Statum.

NZQA will consult on a draft decision with you and take your feedback into account before informing you by letter of the Chief Executive’s final decision regarding your appeal.

To ensure any successful appeals can meet each university’s final enrolment dates, timelines for the receipt of an appeal and for final decisions to be made have been set out in the table at the bottom of this page.

For any queries about the appeal process, please contact:

Keri-Anne Stephens
Manager, Ngā Poutoko Aromatawai Māori
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
PO Box 160
Wellington

Telephone (04) 463 3127 or 0800 697 296

Email: kerianne.stephens@nzqa.govt.nz

Information for universities

Please advise potential appeals applicants of the location of this link, or of the appeals information it contains.

Please note that any applications for an appeal against the decision to grant discretionary or Entrance Ad Eundem Statum should be forwarded to the Chief Executive’s Office at NZQA as soon as possible. Please refer below for the recommended appeal dates for prospective student enrolment in each semester.

To process an appeal, the NZQA require a copy of the applicant’s enrolment file which should contain the following information:

Student's personal details
Academic record to date – results from secondary education and any other study results of any recognition of prior learning assessment (if applicable)
Recommendation of authorised faculty member
Comments from the student liaison officer
Please also include the phone number and email contact for the most appropriate university contact

If original files are sent to us, they will be returned by courier. If a copy of a file is sent, it will not be returned, but will be held and disposed of in accordance with NZQA’s Public Records Act obligations.

Please advise potential applicants of the location of this link, or the information it contains.

If you have any queries regarding the appeals process, please contact Keri-Anne Stephens, Manager, Ngā Poutoko Aromatawai Māori, telephone 04 463 3127 or 0800 697 296 or at kerianne.stephens@nzqa.govt.nz.

Recommended appeal dates for prospective student enrolment in semester 2 in 2022

Semester 2 2022

University	NZQA must receive appeal by	Appeal completed by
Auckland	18 July	29 July
AUT	18 July	29 July
Canterbury	18 July	29July
Lincoln	18 July	29 July
Massey	18 July	29 July
Otago	11 July	22 July
Victoria	11 July	22 July
Waikato	18 July	29 July