Tertiary education in NZ

Secor overview

The tertiary education sector in NZ comprises various types of education providers, including:

• Polytechnics and institutes of technology
• Universities
• Wananga
• Private training establishments
• Industry training organisations

The key government bodies which oversee various aspects of sector include:

• Ministry of Education (MoE)
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
• Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
• Ako Aotearoa

Where does teaching and learning fit?

Teaching and learning activities take place within the institution's requirements, which in turn take place within the quality assurance requirements of NZQA and the funding requirements of TEC:

Note: Within each of these levels we have indicated just some of the likely quality assurance processes.

Check your understanding

Let's see how much you know already about what these education bodies do...

Quiz 1

• Which body has the main responsibility for funding tertiary education?
  • NZQA
    • No, NZQA has no direct involvement in funding.
  • TEC
    • Yes! TEC is the main body responsible for funding education institutions.
  • Ako Aotearoa
    • No, although Ako Aotearoa does provide some funding for special projects.
  • Ministry of Education
    • No, although the Ministry has overview of the whole sector

Quiz 2

• Which body has the main responsibility for the qualifications framework?
  • NZQA
    • Yes, that's right.
  • TEC
    • No - although TEC provides funding for qualifications.
  • Ako Aotearoa
    • No.
  • Ministry of Education
    • No, although the Ministry has overview of the whole sector.

Quiz 3

• Which body has the main responsibility for the quality assurance of providers?
  • TEC
    • No, although TEC does provide funding for approved providers and qualifications.
  • NZQA
    • Yes, that's right.
  • Ministry of Education
    • No, although the Ministry has overview of the whole sector.
  • Ako Aotearoa
    • No, Ako Aotearoa has no role in quality assurance of providers.

Extra resources

For more information on these key escort bodies, you might like to check out: NZQA and its role TEC's role in funding Ako Aotearoa's role Ministry of Education's overview of the NZ tertiary education sector. Tertiary sector performance and funding A response from the Minister to a question in parliament (2011).

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