Lucas Davies
From:
Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Sent:
Thursday, 9 April 2026 11:42 am
To:
Lin Ayo
Cc:
Caitlin Kilborn
Subject:
RE: Tertiary Education Commission Investment Plan Guidance 2027
Kia ora Lin
Hope your week’s going well so far, and hope you had a good Easter break too!
Just wanted to reach out to give a heads-up that we’ve received an OIA request regarding our Plan Guidance
wording for social work, so the conversations we have had on this over email will be captured as part of our
response to this request.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this at all.
Ngā mihi
Conor
Conor Broderick
Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Learner & Investment Outcomes
Aramahi me te Haumi | Careers and Investment Design
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
P: 04 462 6613
E: [email address]
PO Box 27-048, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
www.tec.govt.nz
This email is only intended to be read by the named recipient. It may contain information which is confidential, proprietary or
the subject of legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you must delete this email and may not use any information
contained in it. Legal privilege is not waived because you have read this email.
From: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 1:33 pm
To: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Tertiary Education Commission Investment Plan Guidance 2027
Kia ora Conor
That is exactly what I was looking for, thanks so much. It was good to see the recommendation and it has
definitely caused interest in social work education circles.
Much appreciated
Ngā mihi
Lin
1
From: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 1:05 pm
To: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Tertiary Education Commission Investment Plan Guidance 2027
Kia ora Lin
Thank you for your email.
The advice provided in our Plan Guidance document was approved by our Board of Commissioners and was
provided to the Minister for Vocational Education and the Minister for Universities for their review prior to
release (although it is important to note that Ministerial approval is not required for the release of this
guidance).
As discussed in our previous meeting, the new three-year social work degree pathway strongly aligns with our
wider investment priorities for health provision, so it was great to be able to hold this up as an example to the
sector as to what we’re looking for.
I hope this information is helpful, and please let me know if you have any further questions.
Ngā mihi
Conor
Conor Broderick
Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Learner & Investment Outcomes
Aramahi me te Haumi | Careers and Investment Design
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
P: 04 462 6613
E: [email address]
PO Box 27-048, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
www.tec.govt.nz
This email is only intended to be read by the named recipient. It may contain information which is confidential, proprietary or
the subject of legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you must delete this email and may not use any information
contained in it. Legal privilege is not waived because you have read this email.
From: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 11:19 am
To: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>; Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Subject: FW: Tertiary Education Commission Investment Plan Guidance 2027
Kia ora Caitlin & Conor
Can you please just give me a quick heads up on which Minister this advice went to, re the social work 3 year
degree as priority? We are needing to respond to the sector and it would be helpful to know whether this
landed with one Minister or with several.
2
Thanks in anticipation
Ngā mihi
Lin
3
4
5
Lucas Davies
From:
Lin Ayo
Sent:
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 10:45 am
To:
Conor Broderick
Cc:
Caitlin Kilborn
Subject:
RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Thanks Cono
This is really helpful, much appreciated
Ngā mihi
Lin
From: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 16 February 2026 8:42 am
To: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Lin
I hope you had a nice weekend and that you’re faring okay with the wild weather we’ve had overnight!
I’ve provided some answers to your questions below in red. Please let me know if you have any follow-up
questions, or if there is any particular points you would be keen to discuss further
- If preferential funding goes to 3 year degrees, does that mean to ALL 3 year degrees or just to some?
We would ideally fund all providers that seek to deliver this given we consider social work to be an
investment priority, so long as we have assurance there is availability within the network of provision.
- And if 3 year programmes are to receive preferential funding, is that likely to mean that 4 year
programmes (aa at the universities) may not be funded at all, or in a reduced manner? As early as 2027,
or would it take e ect later for some? We wish to signal that we want to see increased flexibility of
delivery that is more e ective in ensuring favourable outcomes for students and less strain on the
workplace environments where students are placed. We would hope that those still seeking to deliver
the 4-year degree in 2027 will consider our preference to invest in more flexible and streamlined
pathways, and we are happy to liaise further with any TEOs who have concerns about our decision to
prioritise the three-year programme as needed.
- I understand that ‘priority programmes’ are those like social work which are highly desirable in the
community and where we are very short of workers, correct? – It is correct that where there is high
community need would help in designating something as a priority. For health professions, our
priorities are broadly aligned with the priorities listed in the Health Workforce Plan published by Health
New Zealand.
- Finally, did I get this right re process: TEC provides guidance to the Minister, once it’s gone to your
Board – the new approach will be published in March, implemented in July and notification given to
TEOs via your advisers? – OIA s 9(2)(f)(iv)
1
Ngā mihi
Conor
From: Lin Ayo
Sent: Friday, 13 February 2026 12:26 pm
To: 'Conor Broderick' <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Thanks Conor – just some prior thinking on this, some of which may already be noted in your piece but in the
meantime, this FYI including some updates you may not yet be aware of…
Bethlehem Tertiary Institute will begin o ering a three-year degree this year Feb 2026, as approved by
NZQA and SWRB in 2025.
Most of the Polytechnics (8 of 9) and the two Wānanga who provide social work programmes are
applying for a change in Bachelor degree course length from four years to three years, with prescription
events happening through 2026 and the likelihood that most if not all will be o ering a three year
degree from 2027 if they meet the Education Standards as well as NZQA requirements.
We anticipate that the change in course length will support attraction into the programme, improve
retention within the programme and thereby completion. This makes a strong case for a better ROI in
future years.
At the same time a three-year course reduces overall student hardship as experienced in a four-year
course and the new flexibilities in the SWRB Education Standards allow programmes to explore better
options for placements within existing places of work or in di erent time frames, alongside better
options for RPL.
This may assist TEC with ensuring social work programmes have equitable funding with other
professionally based programmes, given that the national shortfall in student numbers and graduated
social workers remains.
See you at 1pm!
Ngā mihi
Lin
From: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 13 February 2026 10:32 am
To: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Lin
Thanks for your swift reply!
Sounds good, I’ll book us in between 1-1:30pm, we shouldn’t need longer than half an hour
Thanks again, and see you in the meeting!
Conor
2
Conor Broderick
Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Learner & Investment Outcomes
Aramahi me te Haumi | Careers and Investment Design
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
P: 04 462 6613
E: [email address]
PO Box 27-048, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
www.tec.govt.nz
This email is only intended to be read by the named recipient. It may contain information which is confidential, proprietary or
the subject of legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you must delete this email and may not use any information
contained in it. Legal privilege is not waived because you have read this email.
From: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 13 February 2026 10:29 am
To: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Conor
Lucky Friday! I can do 1-2pm this afternoon if you’d like to send an invite.
Ngā mihi
Lin
From: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 13 February 2026 10:05 am
To: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Cc: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Lin
Hope you’ve had a good week so far!
Just reaching out as we received a request internally to add some wording about the new 3-year social work
degrees into our upcoming guidance for TEOs’ investment plans, and we’re keen to run this past you to make
sure the SWRB is comfortable with the language we intend to use.
Caitlin and I are free between 1-2pm and 3-4pm today if these times would work for you for a quick catch-up
on this, or 3-4pm Monday if today doesn’t suit.
Please let us know what time works best for you when you can.
Ngā mihi
Conor
3
Conor Broderick
Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor
Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Learner & Investment Outcomes
Aramahi me te Haumi | Careers and Investment Design
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
P: 04 462 6613
E: [email address]
PO Box 27-048, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
www.tec.govt.nz
This email is only intended to be read by the named recipient. It may contain information which is confidential, proprietary or
the subject of legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you must delete this email and may not use any information
contained in it. Legal privilege is not waived because you have read this email.
From: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 26 January 2026 1:23 pm
To: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>; Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Cc: Liz Jones <[email address]>; Scott McLew <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Caitlin and Conor
Thanks for that wide-ranging discussion this morning, most informative and helpful. As well, I was pleased to
be able to assure TEC that Bethlehem Tertiary Institute provided an exemplary application for their new 3-year
degree and the SWRB had no hesitation in prescribing the degree nor any concerns with either the programme
or the institution itself.
As discussed, the change from a four-year to a three-year degree necessitates close monitoring at the end of
the first year of delivery to ensure that the TEO is managing across the programme, including in accessing
su icient field education placements. As do TEC, we recognise the di iculties TEOS are having in finding
su icient placements, particularly for a potentially increasing number of students who may enrol.
We will also encourage TEOs to notify both NZQA and TEC of their intent to introduce a new degree, and we will
keep you notified as well when we approve their new qualifications.
Please let me know if I have missed any key points of our discussion, and I look forward to future
communications.
Ngā mihi
Lin
Lin Ayo| Deputy Registrar Education (Acting)
Social Workers Registration Board - Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro | www.swrb.govt.nz |
PO Box 3452, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
4
This email message is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed. The information it contains is confidential
and may be legally privileged. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this email may be unlawful.
If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately and destroy the email. Thank you. The Social Workers
Registration Board accepts no responsibility for changes made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from their
offices.
From: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 26 January 2026 9:34 am
To: Lin Ayo <[email address]>; Liz Jones <[email address]>; Scott McLew
<[email address]>
Cc: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Lin,
Thanks for coming back to me so quickly, apologies I did not respond on Friday, I was only working for a couple of
hours in the morning.
We can talk more about it today, but it is useful for us to have some of your context to help make decisions. We can
take a nuanced approach if we have some reassurance of your confidence in the provider and the qualifica on.
Ngā mihi,
Caitlin Kilborn MA (she/her)
Kaiwhakahaere Rōpū Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Team Manager, Learner and Investment Outcomes
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
P: 04 462 5247
From: Lin Ayo <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 23 January 2026 9:54 am
To: Liz Jones <[email address]>; Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>; Scott McLew
<[email address]>
Cc: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Caitlin
Thanks for raising this potential issue. As Liz notes below, it is more of a caveat in checking that the first year
has gone well, with a light-touch check at the end of the first year prior to full confirmation.
But if the manner in which we are wording our confirmation is calling their funding approval into question, it
may be that we need to address this in wording and approach so this does not happen with future prescription
reports, of which there maybe others this year. I would appreciate speaking to you if you are free, as I have 10-
11am free this morning and can send an email invite if you wish?
Otherwise I am free Monday as well.
5
Ngā mihi
Lin
From: Liz Jones <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 23 January 2026 9:24 am
To: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>; Scott McLew <[email address]>; Lin Ayo
<[email address]>
Cc: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Importance: High
Good morning, Caitlin, good to hear from you and Happy New Year.
I have cc’d in our Registrar, Scott and our Deputy Registrar Education, Lin who runs the prescription process
for our qualifications.
I suspect they put in a caveat as it is a new programme. Also noting that we do not want to jeopardise funding a
full programme in any way – so yes, I think a conversation would be best to tease that out.
I am not involved in the detail of this side of our business – so will dip out of further correspondence – unless
you feel it would be useful as we know each other????
Many thanks Caitlin and Scott/Lin over to you.
Liz
From: Caitlin Kilborn <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 23 January 2026 8:54 am
To: Liz Jones <[email address]>
Cc: Conor Broderick <[email address]>
Subject: Urgent advice re approval of new social work qualification
Kia ora Liz,
I hope you had a great break and are having a good start to the new year!
I’m reaching out as some of my col eagues have asked for advice/context regarding the approval of a new 3-year
social qualifica on from the Bethlehem Ter ary Ins tute. Their request to us for funding is unique as the approval
informa on from yourselves notes they are approved for one year, with a review to take place next year. It’s
unusual for us to fund a 3-year qualifica on that only has approval from the regulator for one year, so I wanted to
reach out and see if you were able to provide more context for this to help us reach a solu on on funding.
It might be helpful to meet to talk through the context a bit. I’m only working a couple of hours this morning, so if
you had me on Monday that would be real y helpful as we need to sort it quite urgently.
I am free on Monday between 11.30-2.30 and 3-4pm if any of those mes work for you. And of course if you aren’t
quite the right person to talk to, I would greatly appreciate it if you could send this on to whoever is!
Thank you.
Ngā mihi,
Caitlin Kilborn MA (she/her)
Kaiwhakahaere Rōpū Putanga Ākonga me te Haumi | Team Manager, Learner and Investment Outcomes
6
Ngā Aramahi me te Hoahoa Haumi | Careers and Investment Design
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Ter ary Educa on Commission
I work a nine-day fortnight and am off every other Friday
P: 04 462 5247
E: [email address]
PO Box 27-048, Wel ington 6141, New Zealand
www.tec.govt.nz
7
