If you are developing a programme that leads to a qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), the Education and Training Act requires you to get the programme approved by NZQA. If you are interested in delivering a programme, you also need to be accredited as a provider of that programme.
For vocational qualifications, you must also gain endorsement from a Workforce Development Council (WDC) prior to submitting your programme to NZQA for approval.
Industry qualifications include:
If you are interested in delivering a programme, you also need to be accredited as a provider of that programme.
Find more information on programme approval and accreditation at NZQA.
Our considerations for programme endorsement differ from NZQA approval criteria and look to meet both industry needs and learner vocational education and training needs.
Please kōrero with us while you are developing your programme so we can tohu (advise) you of any new rules, regulations, specifications or conditions since the qualification was listed. Get more programme guidance information for some of our qualifications.
Once you have finalised your programme, before you seek approval from NZQA, you will need our endorsement.
We focus on six considerations:
Read our Programme Endorsement Considerations for full details of these six considerations.
The Waihanga Ara Rau tīma is committed to providing guidance for providers to develop and gain approval for high-quality programmes and contributing to an education system that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Māori-Crown relations.
Complete this application form with details about your application and how you have addressed the six endorsement considerations.
The evidence that you attach to your submission will need to confirm all six considerations have been addressed. These documents will include the programme outlines and details that you will be submitting to NZQA.
We may require further evidence from you to satisfy some of our considerations. Once we are satisfied the proposed programme meets all the considerations, we will issue a letter of endorsement to submit to NZQA alongside the approval application. This letter will be valid for six months.
There is no fee for us to review and provide endorsement for your proposed programme.
Please email us at [email protected] with the following information to request our endorsement for your programme:
Please allow 20 working days for us to process your request for programme endorsement.
You will need to supply your application form and letter of endorsement we send you to NZQA as part of the programme approval process.
For more information, please see our FAQs.
