1 April 2020
Elliott Harris
[FYI request #12452 email] Dear Mr Harris
Official Information Act Request
Thank you for your request of 16 March 2020, under the Official Information Act 1982, for the
following information:
Is receiving and administrating complaints the only mechanism by which NZQA undertakes
its role as code administrator to ensure compliance?
Or is it proactively engaged in monitoring signatories to ensure they meet required
standards?
Education providers that wish to enrol international students must apply to become a signatory to
the Code. The application process requires education providers to provide evidence that they are
fully equipped to comply with all Code requirements.
As Code administrator, NZQA proactively monitors signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care)
Code for International Students (the Code). Investigating complaints is one of the components of
NZQA’s quality assurance system to ensure the pastoral care of international students.
Each year, all signatories must undertake a self-review of how they are fulfilling their obligations to
the Code. NZQA reviews a sample of the self-review reports each year and takes appropriate
follow-up action depending on potential concerns identified. This can include recommended or
required improvement actions, a request for further information or a site visit.
Code compliance is a part of NZQA’s periodic external evaluation and review of tertiary education
providers. Universities New Zealand monitors universities on behalf of the Code administrator.
NZQA receives information about Code signatories’ performance and potential non-compliance
from other government organisations such as information about schools from the Education
Review Office.
With regards to the Covid-19 lockdown, the Code requires that education providers continue to
ensure that students are well-informed, safe and properly cared for. As providers work to ensure
student wellbeing, NZQA is working with providers to enable alternative education delivery options
including online delivery and responding to provider and student queries.
Where potential non-compliance or concerns are identified, NZQA takes appropriate action. NZQA
has the legal power to use a range of statutory actions where relevant and applicable if non-
compliance is confirmed of poses an immediate risk to students or the public.
125 The Terrace. PO Box 160, Wel ington 6015, New Zealand | Tel. 64 4 463 3000 Fax 64 4 463 3112 | www.nzqa.govt.nz
If you would like further information about NZQA’s work as Code administrator, please feel free to
contact the Code team at
[email address]. As part of the commitment to open and transparent government, NZQA is proactively releasing
responses to Official Information Act requests which are of public interest. NZQA will be publishing
its response to your request on its website in June 2020. Your name and contact details will be
removed before publication.
If you require further assistance or believe we have misinterpreted your request, please contact
Elizabeth Templeton in the Office of the Chief Executive, email [email address]
or telephone (04) 463 3339.
If you are dissatisfied with our response, you have the right, under section 28(3) of the Official
Information Act 1982, to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. You can also telephone 0800 802 502 or write to the Ombudsman
at PO Box 10152, Wellington, 6143.
Yours sincerely
Karen Poutasi (Dr)
Chief Executive
125 The Terrace. PO Box 160, Wel ington 6015, New Zealand | Tel. 64 4 463 3000 Fax 64 4 463 3112 | www.nzqa.govt.nz
