Introduction

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority's primary function is to coordinate the administration and quality assurance of national qualifications in New Zealand.

NZQA works closely with other education agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission, to achieve the Government's education goals.

The overall role of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority is to be the independent, and impartial expert organisation, which can be relied upon to administer robust National Qualifications Framework assessment systems and provide reliable quality assurance systems that deliver on our statutory accountabilities.

This is in order that New Zealand qualifications are accepted as credible and robust, nationally and internationally. NZQA seeks to do this through operational excellence and clarity of purpose.

Among other things, NZQA :

registers and monitors all national qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework
runs national senior secondary school examinations
registers and monitors private providers of education and training to ensure they meet quality standards
administers a qualifications recognition service for overseas people wanting to live, work or study in New Zealand

Governance

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is a Crown entity established under the section 248 of the Education Act 1989. The Act requires that the Minister of Education appoint the Authority's Board. These members reflect industry, community and education interests. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of NZQA, in consultation with appropriate Ministers. The Board ensures that NZQA carries out its legislative functions, monitors the organisation's performance and appoints the Chief Executive.

The Board's policy directions can be accessed through the annual Statement of Intent and their implementation through the Annual Report. NZQA is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Education and the Education and Science Select Committee.

Approximately half NZQA's funding comes from central government via Vote Education, and the other half from fees and levies, the total budget each year typically being a little over $70 million.