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Assurance

Aromātairua

Assuring a high-quality training and assessment framework.

The Assurance Team is responsible for ensuring that assessors make valid assessment decisions and that learners meet the required standard when they are awarded a Waihanga Ara standard, qualification, or micro-credential.

You can keep up to date with our assurance work by joining the mailing list for our quarterly quality assurance e-newsletter. Sign up now!

There are two teams dedicated to the assurance mahi:

  • The Infrastructure Team/Ohu Hanga Pūnaha is led by Rachelle McNabney, who is assisted by Jeremy Busby, Kashif Ahmed, Reena Patel, Stephen Bocock, Deanne Decke, and Imi Niluthpala. This team support the Access Trades, Civil Infrastructure, Electricity Supply, Electrotechnology, Gas Infrastructure, Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying, Professional Services, and Water Services sectors.
  • The Construction Team/Ohu Mahi Waihanga is led by Helen Finlayson, who is assisted by Nikki Laby, Ryan Ego, Terri Waerea and Tim Reid.  They support the On-site Construction, Off-Site Construction, and Finishing Trades sectors.

Mike Grumball (GM Assurance) and Joy Potter (Insights and Projects Manager) complete the Assurance Team.

Moderation

The national external moderation system provides assurance in the quality of programme delivery and assessment carried out by organisations with consent to assess.

Consent to assess

Providers (including schools) must gain support from Waihanga Ara Rau to deliver and assess against any standards within the Construction and Infrastructure sectors. The application will be evaluated against the requirements of the current Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). Once Waihanga Ara Rau has supported the application, the provider can apply to NZQA for Consent to Assess approval.

Capstone unit standards

Capstone standards have been put in place for the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) and Electrical to ensure national consistency for the assessment of standards carried out through providers or work-based learning.

Information for schools

Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills (BCATS) are a suite of Level 1–3-unit standards registered on the NZQCF that are tailor-made for schools.

Short Course Training Project

Short-duration training courses critical to the Construction and Infrastructure sectors are falling short of meeting the expected outcomes of the standards or industry expectations in regard to training and assessment practices. We're working closely with industry and training providers to identify solutions.

Programme endorsements

Providers must gain programme endorsement from Waihanga Ara Rau for programmes that lead to a qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) for the Construction and Infrastructure sectors. Once programme endorsement has been gained, the provider can submit their application to NZQA for programme approval or accreditation.

Register new micro-credentials

Workforce Development Council support is now required before providers can seek NZQA approval for micro-credentials.

Assurance webinars and workshops

We regularly hold webinars and workshops for schools and providers and publish recordings of previously held webinars.

Assurance Plan

The 2025 Assurance Plan outlines our approach, principles, and deliverables for 2025. It reflects our collaborative and evaluative approach with a focus on continuous improvement. The plan is embedded with the principles of Mātauranga Māori through our Tēnei Te Ara Poutama framework, which has been designed specifically for the Assurance Team.

If you want to know more, follow the link to our 2025 Assurance Plan. If you have any questions, queries, or suggestions, please email Mike Grumball (GM Assurance).

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