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Appendix A
December 2023
New  Zealand  Qualifications Authority  (NZQA)  |  Mana  Tohu  Mātauranga  o
Aotearoa
Board Member Position Description
Appointed by
Minister of Education
Term
Up to 3 years with potential for reappointment
Remuneration
$22,680 per annum
1982
About NZQA | Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The  New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s  (NZQA)  services span the secondary and tertiary
Act
education sectors. NZQA manages  the  New  Zealand  Qualifications  and  Credentials  Framework
(NZQCF), administers the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) for secondary
school students and is responsible for the quality assurance of tertiary education providers (except
for universities).  It is also the Administrator  of the Education  (Pastoral  Care  of  Tertiary  and
International  Learners)  Code  of  Practice  2021,  provides  a  service  for  recognition  of  overseas
qualifications, and has a number of other international responsibilities.  More information on its
function can be found  on NZQA’s website: https:/ www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/why-we-are-
here/our-responsibilities/
Role of the Board and its members
Information
The Board’s governance role involves setting the strategic direction for NZQA to ensure that the
entity performs its functions in line with the Government’s policies and priorities, and that NZQA
makes sound fiscal decisions. In setting this direction the Board needs to consider the priorities in
the Minister’s Letter of Expectations, the Enduring Letter of Expectations for Crown Entities, and
other communication from Ministers.
Official
The Board is responsible for assurance over NZQA’s performance against its strategic direction and
for issuing a three-yearly Statement of Intent and an annual Statement of Performance Expectations.
NZQA must report on its performance against these in quarterly reports to the Minister and in its
the
Annual report which is tabled in Parliament.
Members of the Board are accountable to the Minister in respect to their collective and individual
duties and responsibilities. As a Board member you are expected to support the work of the Board
as directed by the Chair (or deputy Chair) by:
under

contributing your specific areas of expertise as they relate to the governance of NZQA

supporting other Board members and working in a collective and collaborative manner

participating in or leading sub-committees or projects

maintaining  current  knowledge  of  the  education  sector,  environmental  factors,  emerging
risks and challenges and government direction, and

maintaining political neutrality and the confidence of the Minister.
Relevant legislation
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The Education and Training Act 2020 also sets out the functions of NZQA in Section 433 which can
be found at the following link:
https:/ www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0038/latest/LMS172270.html
The main sections of the Act which uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi are listed at this link:
https:/ www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0038/latest/LMS280244.html
Position Profile – New Zealand Qualifications Authority Board member
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December 2023
As set out in the Public Service Act 2020 the Board must preserve, protect, and nurture the spirit of
service to the community  (s13), and is  responsible  for  ensuring  NZQA  upholds  Public Service
principles (s12), which are:
•  political neutrality
•  providing free and frank advice
•  making merit-based appointments
•  fostering a culture of open government, and
•  promoting stewardship of the public service – the long term capability of its people,
institutional knowledge, systems and processes, assets, and the legislation agencies
administer.

The rules for governance, operation, and accountability of Crown entities are set out in the Crown
1982
Entities Act 2004.

Skil s, experience and attributes of the Board
Act
To help the Board succeed in its roles and functions, it should collectively have:
  •  strong governance experience
•  executive leadership experience, a strategic outlook, and the ability to lead through change
•  strong financial capability and acumen, and commercial experience
•  a detailed understanding of the machinery of government including the role of Crown Agents
•  knowledge of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and
•  an ability to build robust, collaborative relationships in complex environments.

Information
Workload, remuneration and term of appointment
The expected workload for members is approximately 30 days per year on meeting attendance and
other Board business. The Board meets around 11 times a year. In addition, a member may sit on
one of the Board’s subcommit ees: Risk and Assurance (four to six times a year), People and Culture
(three times a year) and Information Systems (four times a year).
Official

Board members receive a fee of $22,680 per annum. This is set and reviewed in accordance with
the Cabinet Fees Framework which can be found here:
https:/ www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files
the /2025-09/co-25-2-cabinet-fees-framework-v3.pdf

All members are paid out of NZQA’s funds for reasonable and actual allowances for travelling and
other expenses relating to performing their duties and responsibilities as Board members.

Appointments are for terms of up to three years. Members may be considered for reappointment
under
when their term expires.

Resignation or removal from office
A member may, at any time, resign from office by notifying the Minister and the Board Chair in writing.
Any member, including the Chair, may be removed by the Minister by writ en notice.
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Position Profile – New Zealand Qualifications Authority Board member

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